Marge Liiske presents the awards ceremony in Tallinn during PÖFF | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2024.

Marge serves as the Head of Industry at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

After an exciting week of networking, presentations, panel discussions, and meetings, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event celebrated the most outstanding projects with the award ceremony. 17 awards were handed out to film projects at various stages of scriptwriting, development, or post-production, with an additional two awards recognizing promising producers.

For the first time, the guests have had the opportunity to vote for their favourite projects in each category. The winners of the public favourite award were awarded with 2.000€ worth of Yamdu subscription credit for any annual Yamdu plan or Yamdu add-on (valid thru 31.12.2025).

European Genre Forum

The European Genre Forum was given to the most promising project receiving a 25,000 euro award by ATM Virtual, consisting of one day rental of an LED stage, preceded by one day of pre-lighting for the production of a selected film.

Winner: The Dark Architect
Director and writer: Risto Tuominen
Producer: Ilkka Matila
Production company: MRP Matila Röhr Productions OY (Finland)
Co-production company: Taska Film (Estonia)

The winner was selected by ATM Virtual representatives, who also decided to give out a special mention award, who receives an option for one day of testing in Virtual Production (stage and service of VP).

Special mention award winner: Vrykolax
Director: Achilleas Gatsopoulos
Writter: Geoff Dupuy-Holder
Producers: Minos Nikolakakis, Vassilis Economou
Production company: APSHALT (Greece)

Public Favourite Award winner: Neighbour
Director and screenwriter: Oskar Lehemaa
Producer: Evelin Penttilä
Production company: Stellar Film (Estonia)

Script Pool

Script Pool Award was given to the most promising project receiving an exclusive opportunity to attend The Write Retreat in Mallorca, presented by Law Firm TGS Baltic.

Winner: Kingpins
Director and writer: Kristians Riekstins
Producer: Alise Rogule
Production company: Mima Films (Latvia)

Jury comment: “We are delighted to attribute the Script Pool Award to Latvian director/-producer duo Kristians Riekstins and Alise Rogule for KINGPINS, recognising an ambitious young team, who are bringing a promising genre project to the market. We are confident the Mallorca Writers Retreat will help them take the script to the next level, to reach its full market potential at home and abroad.“

The winning project was selected by the jury, including Moritz Peters, Director Marketing & Acquisitions at Plaion Pictures GMBH, Fabien Westerhoff, CEO and Partner at Film Constellation and Margrit Stärk, Director Acquisitions & Coproductions Feature Films ZDF.

The Public Favourite Award winner: Fabula Rasa
Screenwriters: Miriam Suad Bühler, Maurice Sinner
Producer: Steffen Gerdes
Production company: Red Balloon Film, maze pictures (Germany, Luxembourg, Canada)

Works in Progress

Works in Progress 2024 presented 17 projects in 3 categories - International, Baltic Event and Just Film Works in Progress.

Best International Project (the winner will be granded 7000 euros, consisting of 6000 euros worth of services by Studio Beep, together with 1000 euros travel allowance)
Winner: LATE SHIFT (a.k.a KINDNESS)
Writer and director: Stefanos Tsivopoulos
Producer: Nikos Smpiliris
Production company: Boo Production
Country: Greece

Jury comment: “This film deals with a timely topic regarding migration and assimilation through the unique lens of the Greece process, featuring captivating acting by the lead actress. Harnessing cold and stark cinematography that pulls the audience in, the Jury is excited to give the prize to the team behind LATE SHIFT.”

Special Mention award
Winner: Wolves
Writer and director: Jonas Ulrich
Producer: Nicole Ulrich
Production company: Dynamic Frame GmbH
Country: Switzerland

Jury comment: “Our jury was hooked by this exploration of a special subculture, set in a highly relevant and contemporary theme. The film boasts stunning cinematography and an impressive array of performances, with the lead actor delivering a particularly remarkable interpretation.”

Public Favourite Award winner: Interior
Director: Pascal Schuh
Writers: Timo Ackermann, Pascal Schuh, Joe Hofer
Producers: Timo Ackermann, Katrin Haase, Oliver Arnold
Production company: U5 Filmproduction GmbH & Co. KG. (German)

Best Baltic Project (the winner will be granded 7000 euros, consisting of 6000 euros worth of services by Studio Beep, together with 1000 euros travel allowance)
Winner: Renovation
Writer and director: Gabrielė Urbonaitė
Producers: Uljana Kim, Alise Rogule
Production company: Studio Uljana Kim, Mima Films
Country: Latvia, Lithuania

Jury comment: “Capturing the anxious nature of young adults in their 30s, this piece brings forth rich elements of self-discovery and the burgeoning yet complex emotions of love and companionship. The jury is delighted to award RENOVATION the Baltic Pitch Competition Prize”

Public Favourite Award winner: Sand In Your Hair
Director and screenwriter: Mantas Verbiejus
Producer: Živilė Gallego
Production company: Fralita Films (Lithuania)

The jury of Baltic Event and international Works in Progress included Casey Baron, US Programming Lead of Tribeca Film Festival, Julie Marnay, Program Manager at First Cut Lab and head of European Short Pitch in 2019 and Alexis Cassanet, EVP International Sales & Distribution at Gaumont Film Company.

The Best Just Film Project received a 2500 euro monetary prize by Nafta Films.
Winner: Emi
Writer and director: Ezequiel Erriquez Mena
Producer: Laura Mara Tablón
Production company: Rite Cine
Country: Argentina, Uruguay

The jury comment: “The jury recognizes Emi by Ezequiel Erriquez Mena as a compelling work in progress that tackles the rarely told yet universal themes of identity, roots, and self-discovery. Through its documentary-style storytelling and intimate, chamber-piece approach, the film provides a deeply personal glimpse into the protagonist's journey, anchored by strong acting and a unique perspective. As a South American story, it offers a valuable lens on experiences often overlooked in European contexts. We believe in the potential of this film to resonate with audiences worldwide and are committed to supporting its path to reaching international festivals.”

Jury consisted of Elisabeth Wenk, CEO of the German Children's Media Festival Golden Sparrow, Teresa Lima, Co-founder, programmer, and director of PLAY - International Film Festival for Children and Youth and Eva-Maria Schneider-Reuter, Media Educator and Artistic Director of the Sehpferdchen Film Festival for the generations.

Public Favourite Awardwinner: The River
Director and screenwriter: Cristóbal García
Producers: Francisco Bisañez, Santiago Ortúzar
Production company: Vórtice Films
Countries: Chile, Argentina

Baltic Event Co-Production Market

The Best project was handed the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20 000.

Winner: The Worker
Writer and director: Eliza Petkova
Producers: Nicolas Kronauer
Production company: ROW Pictures GmbH, Fourmat Film GmbH
Country: Germany, Bulgaria

Jury comment: With the experience of immigration within Europe as a starting point, this project takes us, and the protagonist, on an unexpected journey. A journey during which the director invites us to rethink the meaning of community and masculinity.

The jury also handed out the Eurimages Special Co-Production Development Award to an Ukrainian project of €20,000.

Winner: English Lesson
Writer: Olga Voitenko
Director: Ivan Tymchenko
Producer: Svitlana Soloviova
Production company: SvitlorforFilm
Country: Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, Czechia Republic

Jury comment: “A film that uses real life stories and animation to capture feelings and experiences of war. A hybrid film, with young protagonists and for young audiences.”

The project English Lesson also received a 1000 € grant for an Ukrainian project by Many More Films.

Public Favourite Award
Winner: Push The Button
Writer and director: Anton Källrot
Producers: Ylva Olaison, Jonathan Silén, Madeleine Ekman
Production company: ÖGAT Film
Countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark

Producers Network Prize for promising young producers includes a pass to Producers Network 2025 awarded by Cannes Marché du Film.

Winner: Yann Sochaczewski and Miriam Kunde / AMY – Great Adventures on Little Paws!
Jury comment: A clever and warm-hearted project, the producers of which are crossing the boundaries of classic filmmaking.

Winner: Rūta Petronytė and Justinas Pocius / The Flood
Jury comment: A first feature film with an elegant storytelling on the complexity of fear and human relationships.

The jury included Celine Dornier, Logical Pictures, Paul de Beco, Playtime, and Eleni Chandrinou, Eurimages.

Enterprise Estonia Film Award

For the first time, Enterprise Estonia presents an award for the best Estonian project. The award consists of up to 4,000 euros to be used in 2025 to promote the project at film markets in Europe or North America.

Winner: The Code of Thule
Screenwriters: Leana Jalukse, Peep Ehasalu, Rein Pakk, Uwe Lützen
Producers: Helen Lõhmus, René Ezra
Production company: Oree Films
Country: Estonia

Jury comment: “The Jury believes that the project that mixes ancient cultural heritage of Estonia with a reflection on green sustainability in an entertaining way could have a real coproduction potential internationally.”

The jury included Riina Sildos, producer, Amrion Productions, Jani Thiltges, Producer at Samsa Film, Luxemburg, EAVE+ Head of Studies, Melissa Korjus, marketing project manager Enterprise Estonia.

Check out the photo gallery of the award ceremony

Congratulations to all the winners!