On March 17, the nominees for the Estonian Film and Television Awards 2025 were revealed. The grand EFTA gala will take place on April 11, where the best Estonian filmmakers and television creators will be honored. A total of 31 awards will be presented—16 in film categories and 15 in television categories.
We are pleased to announce that films co-financed by Tartu Film Fund are represented in 14 categories.
A total of five films supported by Tartu Film Fund have been nominated:
Biwa järve 8 nägu / 8 Views of Lake Biwa – 12 categories Elu ja Armastus – 7 categories Vari – 4 categories Varaküps – 2 categories Pimeala – 1 category
For more details on the nominees and categories, visit: Facebook
The production of Ove Musting’s second full-length feature film, “Seatapp”, has officially wrapped in Southern Estonia! This tragicomic story, seasoned with dark humor, delves into the decline of rural life and fading traditions, featuring absurd situations—all inspired by real-life events from Estonia itself. 🇪🇪
📍 “Southern Estonia is undeniably a hidden gem,” says the film’s director and screenwriter, Ove Musting, who hails from the region. “The landscapes here offer a variety of views that are hard to find elsewhere. During location scouting, we discovered incredible places and even more incredible people, who in turn inspired and enriched Seatapp’s story. Right before shooting, we even added details to the script—details so unbelievable that any rational person would say, this couldn’t have really happened!”
💬 “This is likely the only feature film that portrays life outside Estonia’s capital in such a raw, humorous, and honest way. In fact, Seatapp may also be the last film where we see animals and people working side by side like this. This world is disappearing, and just a few years later, filming Seatapp wouldn’t have been possible anymore.”
🎥 Producer Jaan Laugamõts describes the film as the last breathtaking glimpse of a vanishing way of life. “The mix of brilliant and painfully absurd humor in this film will make audiences laugh, cry, and reflect on what else might disappear along with our deeply rooted culture, which is ingrained in our genes.”
Filming Locations & Challenges 🎞️
The production took place across Estonia, including Siimika village (Lääne-Harju), Tartu, and several locations in Southern Estonia: Valgjärve, Põlva, Võrumaa, and Tsooru.
💬 “The filming period was as challenging as expected,” recalls producer Jaan Laugamõts. “Shooting in winter comes with its own set of difficulties—constant cold and limited daylight make everything more complicated. Adding in large numbers of animals and people creates an extraordinarily complex setting, where every crew member played a crucial role in making it all work. I am endlessly grateful to everyone involved in this film—you are the kind of people I’d go on a secret mission with any day!”
Cast & Premiere 🎭
The film features Aleksandr Bražnik, Taavi Teplenkov, Egon Nuter, Külliki Saldre, Hendrik Toompere Jr., Andres Mähar, Mari Jürjens, Argo Aadli, and more.
The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the most important meeting places for film professionals worldwide. Its Visitor’s Program offers young producers an invaluable opportunity to expand their international network and find co-production partners. Sander Lebreht, a young producer based in Tartu, shares his experience from four intensive days at Berlinale.
100+ Participants, Countless Opportunities This year’s Visitor’s Program brought together over a hundred young producers from around the world. While it was impossible to engage with everyone, structured events such as Consultation Corner helped participants quickly establish common ground and build meaningful connections. Moments like these are priceless for film professionals, as the film industry is, above all, a people-driven business.
“Sitting in a room with producers from different countries, deeper connections formed instantly – someone might be facing similar challenges or offer a solution I hadn’t thought of myself.”
Meetings That Matter The Berlinale is packed with thousands of official and informal meetings, and the four days of the Visitor’s Program meant a fully booked schedule. With ten pre-arranged meetings, two to three have already led to follow-up discussions on potential collaborations.
“Every meeting was different – the film business thrives on personal connections. The most valuable conversations are those where both sides feel a genuine connection and see real potential for collaboration.”
Cinematic Experiences & Sources of Inspiration The days were filled with networking, but the evenings offered a chance to unwind and seek inspiration from Berlinale screenings. Beyond the films, Berlinale’s panel discussions also sparked new ideas. A particularly intriguing topic was the intersection of film and video games, exploring how these two industries increasingly influence each other.
Berlinale – A Must for Every Film Producer The four days in Berlin were undoubtedly exhausting, but they provided a wealth of knowledge, connections, and inspiration. International collaboration is invaluable for the Estonian film industry, and the Berlinale Visitor’s Program opened doors to new partnerships that may soon materialize in upcoming film projects.
