11/10/2023 - A total of 15 projects will be showcased at the Estonian festival's industry event, with the Focus Countries for this year being Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia

Taking place from 16-17 November as part of the 27th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, the Baltic Event Co-Production Market for this year will present a selection of 15 projects. These consist of comedies and dramas hailing from Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Baltic and Nordic regions. They include works by both first- and second-time directors, in addition to compelling narratives from accomplished and award-winning filmmakers.

As explained by Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event head Marge Liiske, “At the Baltic Event Co-Production Market this year, we journey through a world of complexity and diversity, brought to life through both laughter and tears. With selections from our five Focus Countries – Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovenia – we not only celebrate the region’s rich cinematic heritage, but also its promising co-production reality.”

Kicking off the Focus Countries 2023 segment is a selection of five titles. The Croatian drama Pogana, helmed by David Kapac (The Uncle [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrija Mardešić and David …
film profile]), confronts the prevalent issues and complexities of today's global society in a provocative psychological thriller. Over in Serbia and Montenegro, the comedy Monte Zombie, directed by Danilo Bećković (The Samurai in Autumn [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), takes us on a humorous journey as a Finnish family escapes a zombie outbreak by seeking refuge in the Montenegrin mountains. Meanwhile, Four Funerals and a Wedding, directed by Nikola Mijović (Borders, Raindrops [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) from Montenegro, weaves a unique narrative about a Montenegrin funeral mourning artist and his daughter's quest to establish herself as a pop singer, which leads her to participate in a TV talent show.

In the realm of Macedonian cinema, Ants, directed by Marjan Gavrilovski, delves into an intimate narrative involving a homophobic police detective and a trans woman teaming up to solve a murder – a theme seldom explored in Balkan cinema. Lastly, in Uncomfortable Beings, a collaborative effort between Slovenia and Croatia, director Maja Križnik paints a poignant portrait of three sisters navigating life after the loss of their father.

As for the Baltic countries, Estonian director Jaak Kilmi (The Sleeping Beast [+see also:
film review
film profile]) is back with another drama titled Dirt in Your Face. Over in Lithuania, Dog Owners, directed by Dovilė Šarutytė, who made her debut with Feature Film About Life [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Dovile Sarutyte
film profile] at the 2021 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, promises to be an intriguing watch. Latvia makes its presence felt at the market with The Bog, a crime story directed and written by Reinis Kalviņš (The Shift). Meanwhile, Finnish cinema brings The Elf, an adventurous tale directed by award-winning duo Hannes Vartiainen and Joonas Berghäll. The film immerses the audience in the world of Lapland's Elves during the Christmas season.

Renowned Polish filmmaker Damian Kocur (Bread and Salt [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Damian Kocur
film profile]) introduces his latest feature, La Manche. Romanian director Marius Olteanu (Monsters. [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Marius Olteanu
film profile]) presents his sophomore feature, We Won't Get Old Together, offering a compelling drama. The line-up also includes Flight From Kabul, the second feature by Sahraa Karimi (Hava, Maryam, Ayesha [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), which is entirely written, directed and produced by women, and channels the strength of the feminine perspective and creativity (see the interview).

On a different note, Rahma, helmed and produced by Faysal Soysal (Crossroads) from Turkey, delves into the complex issues surrounding refugees and residents, exploring diverse facets ranging from human reproduction in the modern age to the establishment of families and the quest for a homeland. Additionally, the event will showcase Dawn Chorus, a Ukrainian production directed by Mykola Zasieiev. Finally, Checkpoint, the debut film by Rita Borodiyanski, paints a portrait of a young woman from a struggling household serving in the IDF checkpoint unit in Israel.

Lithuanian producer Marija Razgute, Jarod Neece (senior programmer at the Tribeca Film Festival) and Frederik Hemmingsen (sales manager at TrustNordisk) constitute the international jury tasked with selecting the recipients of the Best Project Award, the Best Pitch Award and the Producers Network Prizes, from among the 15 projects in contention.

Here is the full list of projects participating in the 2023 Baltic Event Co-Production Market:

Ants - Marjan Gavrilovski (North Macedonia)
Producer: Romir Jakupi (Time Laps)

The Bog - Reinis Kalviņš (Latvia)
Producer: Gints Grūbe (Mistrus Media)

Checkpoint - Rita Borodiyanski (Israel)
Producer: Osnat Saraga (Ananey Studios)

Dawn Chorus - Mykola Zasieiev (Ukraine)
Producers: Natalia Libet, Vitalii Sheremetiev, Oleksii Zgonik (Digital Religion LLC)

Dirt in Your Face - Jaak Kilmi (Estonia)
Producer: Kristian Taska (Taska Film)

Dog Owners - Dovilė Šarutytė (Lithuania)
Producer: Uljana Kim (Studio Uljana Kim)

Flight From Kabul - Sahraa Karimi (Slovakia)
Producer: Wanda Adamik Hrycova (Wandal Production, sro)

Four Funerals and a Wedding - Nikola Mijović (Montenegro)
Producer: Maja Kecojević (Parangal Film)

La Manche - Damian Kocur (Poland)
Producer: Anna Gawlita (Kijora Film)

Monte Zombie - Danilo Bećković (Serbia/Montenegro)
Producers: Marko Paljić (Gargantua Films), Mali Budo

Pogana - David Kapac (Croatia)
Producer: Rea Rajčić (Eclectica)

Rahma - Faysal Soysal (Turkey)
Producer: Faysal Soysal (Balkon Film Production)

The Elf - Hannes Vartiainen, Joonas Berghäll (Finland)
Producer: Joonas Berghäll (Oktober Oy)

Uncomfortable Beings - Maja Križnik (Slovenia)
Producer: Lija Pogačnik (December)

We Won’t Get Old Together - Marius Olteanu (Romania)
Producer: Oana Giurgiu (Point Films)