{"id":51109,"date":"2026-03-29T17:22:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T17:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/51109\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T17:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T17:22:11","slug":"market-analysis-2025-estonia-filmneweurope-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/51109\/","title":{"rendered":"MARKET ANALYSIS 2025: Estonia &#8211; FilmNewEurope.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Estonian grand-old lady of the cinema, Leida Laius\u2019s landmark film Smile at Last \/ Naerata ometi\u00a0was presented at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2025 within the prestigious Berlinale Classics programme, marking the first time an Estonian film was included in this section dedicated to digitally restored cinema heritage. Originally premiered at the Berlinale in 1987 and awarded the UNICEF Prize, the film returned in a newly restored version, reaffirming Laius\u2019s enduring significance as one of the most important voices in Estonian cinema, after which the film travelled widely around the world, bringing renewed international attention to her work.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pig_Slaughter_by_Ove_Musting__photo_by_Heikki_Leis.jpg\" alt=\"Pig Slaughter by Ove Musting, photo by Heikki Leis\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: right;\" title=\"Pig Slaughter by Ove Musting, photo by Heikki Leis\"\/>The construction of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/idahub.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ida Hub<\/a>, the first audiovisual and multimedia innovation centre in the Baltics, advanced in 2025 and the inauguration is planned for 2026. The studio complex will be the first in Estonia bringing together the entire active production process under one roof. It will include a 2,000-square-metre soundstage, a multifunction studio, and postproduction suites.<\/p>\n<p>The Estonian Government decided in 2025 to place the development of the national film infrastructure complex under the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>, with the project operating under the name Tallinnfilm Studios, designed to include multiple large sound stages suitable for international productions, along with production offices, postproduction and technical facilities, and infrastructure for set construction, storage, and logistics. This is the biggest investment in film, all together 25 m EUR, and it will open in the end of 2027 &#8211; beginning of 2028.<\/p>\n<p>PRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p>In 2025 Estonia produced 61 films, all backed by the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>: nine feature films, five minority coproduction feature films, 10 short animated films, 30 documentaries, two minority coproduction documentaries, and five short fiction films.<\/p>\n<p>Ove Musting\u00a0shot his sophomore feature\u00a0Pig Slaughter \/ Seatapp\u00a0in January &#8211; March 2025. This black tragicomedy is produced by Estonia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.downtownpictures.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Downtown Pictures<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/heafilm.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hea Film<\/a>\u00a0will release it in Estonian cinemas.<\/p>\n<p>Evar Anvelt shot his crime thriller\u00a0Something Real \/ Midagi t\u00f5elist\u00a0in March \u2013 April 2025. This debut feature tackles cyber threats, porn addiction, and modern loneliness. It was shot in Lithuania, produced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nafta.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nafta Films<\/a> and coproduced by Apollo Film Productions (Estonia) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inscript.lt\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">InScript<\/a>\u00a0(Lithuania). <a href=\"https:\/\/heafilm.ee\/eng\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hea Film<\/a> will release it in Estonia.<\/p>\n<p>Ivan Pavljutskov shot his Estonian\/Lithuanian coming-of-age drama\u00a0Morten in May \u2013 August 2025. The film is based on the popular Estonian youth novel\u00a0Morten, Emilie, and the Lost Worlds\u00a0(2020) by Reeli Reinaus. It was produced by Estonia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kinokompanii.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kopli Kinokompanii<\/a>\u00a0in coproduction with Lithuania&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fralitafilms.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fralita Films<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Veiko \u00d5unpuu\u2019s Serafima, a story of moral choices and survival under authoritarianism in Soviet Estonia, was shot in Latvia by Estonian cinematographer Mart Taniel also in 2025. Based on award winning writer\u00a0Vahur Afanasjev\u2019s novel\u00a0Serafima\u00a0and Bogdan, the film was produced by Estonia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nafta.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nafta Films<\/a> in coproduction with <a href=\"https:\/\/nafta.ee\/locations\/latvia\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nafta Films Latvia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orkafilm.pl\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Orka Films<\/a>\u00a0(Poland), and Apollo Film Productions (Estonia).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Something_Real_by_Evar_Anvelt__credit_Nafta_Films_2.jpg\" alt=\"Something Real by Evar Anvelt, credit: Nafta Films\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: left;\" title=\"Something Real by Evar Anvelt, credit: Nafta Films\"\/>Estonian actor\u00a0Priit V\u00f5igemast and Georgian actress Tinatin Dalakishvili\u00a0play the leads.<\/p>\n<p>Jaak Kilmi wrapped the shoot for\u00a0Dirt in Your Face \/ Musta porin\u00e4kku\u00a0in August 2025. This late-&#8217;80s coming-of-age road film inspired by the autobiographical novel of Mihkel Raud is produced by Estonia\u2019s Taska Film in coproduction with Estonia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.apollo.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Apollo Film Production<\/a>, Latvia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.angels.lv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Film Angels Studio<\/a>, and Estonia\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tallifornia.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tallifornia<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/heafilm.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hea Film<\/a>\u00a0will distribute it in the Baltics.<\/p>\n<p>Janno J\u00fcrgens is exploring the burden of guilt and the meaning of forgiveness in his feature film\u00a0No Me without You \/ Mind ei ole sinust eraldi, shot in July &#8211; September 2025.The film is produced by\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmivabrik.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Filmivabrik<\/a>, and Mari Abel and Eva Koldits play the main characters.<\/p>\n<p>As local costs are on the rise and the public funding is becoming increasingly scarce, many Estonian filmmakers are looking to Latvia and Lithuania to better their budget option.<\/p>\n<p>In February 2025 the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.poff.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Black Nights Film Festival<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.filmneweurope.com\/news\/estonia-news\/item\/mailto:Industry@Tallinn%20&amp;\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Industry@Tallinn&amp;<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/industry.poff.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Baltic Event<\/a>\u00a0launched\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/industry.poff.ee\/news\/finding-your-next-film-partner-in-estonia-is-easier-than-ever\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Creative Gate<\/a>, a platform designed to connect filmmakers with Estonia&#8217;s vibrant film industry. Creative Gate provides an extensive overview of Estonia&#8217;s film funds, production companies, casting agencies, and other industry resources. To enhance its usability, an AI-powered tool has been added.<\/p>\n<p>The construction of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/idahub.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ida Hub<\/a>, the first audiovisual and multimedia innovation centre in the Baltics, advanced in 2025, with the inauguration planned for 2026.Located in J\u00f5hvi, the administrative seat of Ida-Viru County, the 18.2 m EUR initiative is funded by the EU\u2019s Just Transition Fund, and it aims to revitalise the region by merging film, tech, and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n<p>The studio complex will be the first in Estonia to bring together the entire active production process under one roof. It will include a 2,000-square-metre soundstage, a multifunction studio and postproduction suites.<\/p>\n<p>Initiated by the Ida-Viru Investment Agency (IVIA), the Ida-Viru Business Centre (IVEK), and the Baltic\u2019s largest science park Tehnopol, the project aims to foster international productions and local talent development.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Morten_by_Ivan_Pavljutskov_Morten-and-Emilie__photo_by_Heikki_Leis.jpg\" alt=\"Morten by Ivan Pavljutskov, photo by Heikki Leis\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: right;\" title=\"Morten by Ivan Pavljutskov, photo by Heikki Leis\"\/>IVEK, which manages Estonia\u2019s first regional Viru Film Fund, runs the Film Industry Incubation Programme, offering hands-on training in essential behind-the-scenes roles. Tehnopol leads the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.startupincubator.ee\/en\/film-multimedia-accelerator\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Film and Multimedia Accelerator<\/a>, hosting startups that work with AI, virtual location scouting, and modular studio systems.<\/p>\n<p>Startups like VisioTag and the A-category\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.poff.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Black Nights Film Festival<\/a>\u2019s own\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/industry.poff.ee\/creative_gate\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Creative Industry Hub<\/a>\u00a0are already active in the accelerator.<\/p>\n<p>At the 2025 Cannes March\u00e9 du Film, Tehnopol sought further networking and investment opportunities to grow the hub\u2019s growing ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>The appeal of filming in Estonia is further strengthened by government-backed financial incentives. The national cash rebate scheme,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/filmestonia.eu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Film Estonia<\/a>, offered 6 m EUR in 2025. Regional film funds are in Tartu, the Estonian islands, and in Ida-Viru County.<\/p>\n<p>DISTRIBUTION<\/p>\n<p>A total of 448 films screened in Estonian cinemas in 2025, of which 305 were new films. They had 2.39 m total admissions and cashed in 17.37 m EUR. The cinema attendance per person was 1.75, and the average ticket price was 7.26 EUR.<\/p>\n<p>A total of 446 films were released in 2024, resulting in 2,469,861 admissions and 18.38 m EUR gross. The admissions per capita were 1.80, and the average ticket price in 2024 was 7.44 EUR.<\/p>\n<p>From 74 Estonian films screened in cinemas in 2025, a total of 34 were new films. They had 334,471 admissions and 2.27 m EUR gross, resulting in 13.98% market share. In 2024, admissions for domestic films were 323,741.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a> selected the long animated film\u00a0Long Papers \/ Pikad\u00a0paberid\u00a0by Meel Paliale as Estonia\u2019s candidate for the 98th Academy\u00a0of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award\u00a0in the Best International Feature Film category.<\/p>\n<p>Long Papers\u00a0had its world premiere in the Just Film section, within the International Youth Competition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.poff.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">P\u00d6FF<\/a>), where it won the Audience Award.\u00a0It was also chosen as the Film of the Year 2024 by the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kulka.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cultural Endowment of Estonia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The film was produced by Urmet Piiling, T\u00f5nu Hiielaid and Rain Rannu for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tallifornia.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tallifornia Productions<\/a>\u00a0with support from the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kulka.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cultural Endowment of Estonia<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tallifornia.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tallifornia Film Fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Long_Papers_by_Meel_Paliale__credit_Tallifornia.jpg\" alt=\"Long Papers by Meel Paliale, credit: Tallifornia\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: left;\" title=\"Long Papers by Meel Paliale, credit: Tallifornia\"\/>The Estonian\/Armenian stop motion short film Winter in March\u00a0directed by Natalia Mirzoyan has been chosen as a candidate for the European Film Awards European Short Film \u2013 Prix Vimeo 2027 by the Uppsala Short Film Festival. Since its world premiere in Cannes 2025 the film screened in several international film festivals and received numerous accolades including the 3rd prize (ex-aequo) in the Festival de Cannes La Cinef section, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/animistfestival.eu\/en\/index\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Animist Tallinn<\/a>\u00a0Grand Prix, the Oscar-qualifying Heart of Sarajevo for Best Short Film at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sff.ba\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sarajevo Film Festival<\/a>, the Grand Prix at the Siam International Animation Festival (Thailand), the Audience Award in the International Competition at Switzerland\u2019s Fantoche &#8211; International Festival for Animated Film, the Grand Prix in the Student Film category at the Taichung International Animation Festival (Taiwan), and an Honorable Mention for Best Short Film at the Philadelphia Film Festival, among others.<\/p>\n<p>The film was produced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rebelframe.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rebel Frame<\/a>\u00a0(Estonia) and ArtStep Studio (Armenia), in coproduction with the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artun.ee\/en\/home\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Academy of Arts<\/a>, Black Boat Pictures (France), and White Boat Pictures (Belgium), with support from the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kulka.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Cultural Endowment<\/a>, and the Cinema Foundation of Armenia.<\/p>\n<p>Hair of Hare \/ J\u00e4nesejuus,\u00a0the new project by the award-winning Estonian animator Sander Joon, won the Audience Award in the Focus WiP (Work in Progress) section of the Cin\u00e9ma de <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Winter_in_March_by_Natalia_Mirzoyan__credit_Rebel_Frame__2.jpg\" alt=\"Winter in March by Natalia Mirzoyan, credit: Rebel Frame\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: right;\" title=\"Winter in March by Natalia Mirzoyan, credit: Rebel Frame\"\/>Demain programme at the Cannes\u2019 Short Film Corner.<\/p>\n<p>The grant, 5,000 EUR in postproduction support provided by the festival\u2019s technical partner TransPerfect, was awarded to Joon\u2019s film after a live audience vote. Produced by Aurelia Aasa of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aaacreative.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AAA Creative<\/a>,\u00a0Hair of Hare\u00a0follows a bearded architect, whose facial hair transforms into a rabbit and runs away.<\/p>\n<p>Marko Raat\u2019s feature film\u00a08 Views of Lake Biwa\u00a0took home seven awards from its 15 nominations at the annual\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eftagala.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Estonian Film and Television Awards\u00a0<\/a>(EFTA), held on 11 April 2025. The Estonian\/German\/Latvian coproduction\u00a0Lioness \/ Emal\u00f5vi\u00a0directed by Liina Tri\u0161kina-Vanhatalo received the award for Best Film. A total of 31 awards were handed out, including 16 in film and 15 in television categories.<\/p>\n<p>VOD PLATFORMS AND ONLINE DISTRIBUTION<\/p>\n<p>Next to the main players (Amazon, Netflix, Disney+ and Go3) there are a whole lot of niche providers focussing on arthouse cinema and other themes.<\/p>\n<p>The Estonian Public Broadcast\u2019s (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.err.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ERR<\/a>)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/jupiter.err.ee\/video\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jupiter<\/a>\u00a0is improving its position as the only classical FVOD provider without advertising or any paywall, hitting over 350,000 streaming clients monthly.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/arkaader.ee\/landing\/br\/rHczO7kKnl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Arkaader<\/a>\u00a0platform offers access to a wide selection of Estonian films, ranging from classics of the Tallinnfilm era to contemporary works. Arkaader serves as an essential resource for schools, researchers, educators, and film enthusiasts, ensuring that Estonia\u2019s cinematic legacy is preserved and accessible.<\/p>\n<p>When we compare VOD data to linear TV statistics, it becomes clear that VOD cannot be ignored, and it takes up a large portion of any measurable screen time.<\/p>\n<p>One notable trend is the growing versatility of the telecom\u2019s TV-application offers.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teliatv.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Telia TV<\/a>\u00a0box, for example, has made it much more comfortable to navigate between HBO, Netflix and Telia\u2019s own content. The client doesn\u2019t have to juggle with different remotes and platforms any longer, getting a handier interface and better screen experience.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Serafima_by_Veiko_\u00d5unpuu__photo_J\u0101nis_Deinats.jpg\" alt=\"Serafima by Veiko \u00d5unpuu, photo: J\u0101nis Deinats\" width=\"270\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: left;\" title=\"Serafima by Veiko \u00d5unpuu, photo: J\u0101nis Deinats\"\/>VOD platforms have started to create more of their own content than before. Go3 has produced several TV series, and partly even independently from its linear sister TV3, meaning also that not all content produced by Go3 would make it to TV3 channel.<\/p>\n<p>Pan-Baltic collaboration has also become more active and there are various negotiations going on about projects planned to be coproduced.<\/p>\n<p>EXHIBITION AND BOX OFFICE<\/p>\n<p>T\u00f5nis Pill\u2019s coming-of-age drama Fr\u00e4nk finished second in the admissions Top Ten 2025 with 112,104 admissions, below The Minecraft Movie (127,475), and ahead of the Latvian\/Belgian\/French animated hit Flow \/ Straume directed by Gints Zilbalodis and produced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dreamwell.lv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dream Well Studio<\/a>\u00a0(Latvia) in coproduction with Sacrebleu Productions (France) and Take Five (Belgium)(90,498 admissions), and the Hollywood blockbusters Zootropolis 2 (87,739 admissions), Avatar: Fire and Ash (65,762 admissions), F1 (60,154 admissions), Wicked for Good (52,905 admissions), How to Train Your Dragon (51,605 admissions), Jurassic World Rebirth (46,010 admissions), and Paddington in Peru (45,369 admissions).<\/p>\n<p>Fr\u00e4nk (produced by <a href=\"https:\/\/allfilm.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Allfilm<\/a>, distributed by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.heafilm.ee\/eng\/contact\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hea Film<\/a>) obviously leads the Top Ten of the domestic films too, followed by Rain Rannu\u2019s New Money \/ Uusraha (produced and distributed by <a href=\"https:\/\/tallifornia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Tallifornia<\/a>) with 40,376 admissions, Jan Uusp\u00f5ld Goes Home \/ Jan Uusp\u00f5ld l\u00e4hebkoju directed by Andres Maimik and Rain Tolk (produced by Apollo Film Productions, distributed by Hea Film) with 34,868 admissions, Jaan Tootsen\u2019s Rebel with a Bow Tie \/ Kikilipsuga m\u00e4ssaja (produced and released by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.efis.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Aadam ja Pojad<\/a>) with 25,012 admissions, Aurora directed by Andres Maimik and Rain Tolk (produced by Kuukulgur Film and distributed by Hea Film) with 22,693 admissions, Meel Paliale\u2019s Rolling Papers \/ Pikad paberid (produced and released by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tallifornia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Tallifornia<\/a>) with 13,886 admissions, Heilika Pikkov and Liina S\u00e4rkinen\u2019s My Family and Other Clowns \/ Minu pere ja mud klounid (produced and released by Silmviburlane) with 11,275 admissions, Mikk M\u00e4gi\u2019s Peetrikese j\u00f5ulurobot (produced by A Film Eesti, distributed by ACME Film) with 9,459 admissions, Andres Puustusmaa\u2019s One-dimensional Man \/ \u00dchem\u00f5\u00f5tmeline mees (produced by Leo Productions, released by BestFilm) with 5,536 admissions, and Riho V\u00e4strik\u2019s Notes from the Woods \/ Kriimsilm, karuottjarebane. M\u00e4rkmeid metsast (produced by Vesilind, released by <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dirt_in_Your_Face_by_Jaak_Kilmi_shooting__author_Ken_M\u00fcrk-ERR.jpg\" alt=\"Dirt in Your Face by Jaak Kilmi shooting, author: Ken M\u00fcrk ERR\" width=\"270\" height=\"180\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: right;\" title=\"Dirt in Your Face by Jaak Kilmi shooting, author: Ken M\u00fcrk ERR\"\/>Hea Film) with 4,562 admissions.<\/p>\n<p>Fr\u00e4nk ranks 12th in the top of the most popular Estonian films from 2000 to 2025. The most popular film of this period is still Tanel Toom\u2019s Truth and Justice \/ T\u00f5de ja \u00f5igus (2019, produced by Allfilm) with 269,909 admissions, followed by Ren\u00e9 Vilbre\u2019s Class Reunion \/ Klassikokkutulek (2016, produced by\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.taska.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taska Film<\/a>) with 189,244 admissions, and Elmo N\u00fcganen\u2019s Names Engraved in Marble \/ Nimed marmortahvlil (2002, produced by Estonia&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.taska.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taska Film<\/a>\u00a0in coproduction with Finland&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.matilarohr.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MRP Matila R\u00f6hr Productions<\/a>) with 168,743 admissions.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, Estonian Theatrical Distribution was the leader of the domestic market with 49.92% market share, followed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acmefilm.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">ACME Film<\/a>\u00a0with 33.03% market share, <a href=\"https:\/\/adastracinema.com\/es\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Adastra Cinema<\/a>\u00a0with 2.98%,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tallifornia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Tallifornia<\/a> with 2.73%, <a href=\"https:\/\/et.gpicinema.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">GPI<\/a>\u00a0with 2.63%, <a href=\"https:\/\/kinopavasaris.lt\/en\/kpd-estonia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">KP Distribution<\/a>\u00a0with 1.91%, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.estinfilm.eu\/index_EE.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estinfilm<\/a>\u00a0with 1.42%, and the rest with 5.37 %.<\/p>\n<p>The market share by region in 2025 was led by USA with 56.73%, followed by Europe with 25.53%, Estonia with 13.98%, and other countries with 3.76%.<\/p>\n<p>Estonian Theatrical Distribution is also the leader in releasing domestic titles, with 55% market share, followed by Tallifornia with 20%,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.efis.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Aadam ja Pojad<\/a> with 7%, ACME Film with 4%, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.silmviburlane.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Silmviburlane<\/a>\u00a0with 3%, <a href=\"https:\/\/bestfilm.eu\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">BestFilm<\/a>\u00a0with 2%, and the rest with 9%.<\/p>\n<p>In August 2025, the new Apollo Plaza entertainment centre opened in Tallinn&#8217;s Rotermann Quarter, on the premises of the former Coca-Cola Plaza. It is now home to Estonia&#8217;s biggest cinema, a bookstore, a cinema shop, and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apollogroup.ee\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Apollo Group<\/a>\u00a0is the largest entertainment company in the Baltics, owning the Apollo cinemas, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Apollo Cinema is the leading cinema operator in the Baltics, holding the top position in Estonia and Latvia, and second place in Lithuania. In 2024, Apollo Cinema received the International <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No_Me_Without_You_by_Janno_J\u00fcrgens__photo_by_Erik_P\u00f5llumaa.jpg\" alt=\"No Me Without You by Janno J\u00fcrgens, photo by Erik P\u00f5llumaa\" width=\"270\" height=\"180\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: left;\" title=\"No Me Without You by Janno J\u00fcrgens, photo by Erik P\u00f5llumaa\"\/>Union of Cinemas (<a href=\"https:\/\/unic-cinemas.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UNIC<\/a>) Cinema of the Year title at UNIC\u2019s official convention, CineEurope.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, Estonia had 56 screening places, 22 cinemas, one multiplex, 94 screens, 56 3D screens, and 94 digital screens.<\/p>\n<p>GRANTS AND LEGISLATION<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a> distributed 14,928,412 EUR in 2025, compared to 14,987, 398 in 2024. In 2025, the annual state support for film industry also included 1,646,616 EUR from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kul.ee\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estonian Ministry of Culture<\/a>\u00a0(compared to 1,729,965 EUR in 2024), and 3.1 m EUR from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kulka.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Cultural Endowment of Estonia<\/a> (compared to 3.4 m EUR in 2024).<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>\u00a0gave out 6,050,500 EUR for the production of ten feature film projects, 310,500 EUR for the development of seven features, 66,500 EUR for feature film script support (12 projects), 150,000 EUR to three short films, 80,000 EUR for the development of three miniseries, 570,000 EUR for the production of 12 documentaries, and 245,000 EUR for the development of 17 documentary projects.\u00a0Estonian Stories\u00a0documentary chronicles and documentary portraits got 150,000EUR. Eleven animated films received 870,000 EUR for production, and 11 animated projects received 147,000 EUR for development. A total of 905,500 EUR went to 12 minority coproductions.<\/p>\n<p>Production grants went to the following feature films: Dirt in Your Face \/ Musta porin\u00e4kku by Jaak Kilmi, Serafima by Veiko \u00d5unpuu, Beatrice by Vallo Toomla, Morten by Ivan Pavljutshkov, Sacred and Profane Love \/ Taevane ja maine armastus by Reiner Sarnet, No Me Without You \/ Mind ei ole sinusteraldi by Janno J\u00fcrgens, Silverwhite \/ H\u00f5bevalge by Martti Helde, Conteiner \/ Konteiner by Arun Tamm, The Godkiller \/ \u00dcmeraj\u00f5el by Mikk M\u00e4gi, and Mommy&#8217;s Boy \/ Memmek by Ivar Murd.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/filmestonia.eu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Film Estonia<\/a>\u00a0cash rebate programme gave out a total of 6 m EUR for foreign projects shooting on location in Estonia. In 2025,twelve titles were granted a rebate: Finnish feature Sisu 2 directed by Jalmari Helander, produced by Subzero Film Entertainment and serviced in Estonia by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.allfilm.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Allfilm<\/a>; Finnish feature Super Furball &amp; the Lying Squirrel, directed by Joona Tena, produced by Yellow Film &amp; TV, and serviced by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nafta.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Nafta Films<\/a>; Finnish feature Therapy directed by Paavo Westerberg, produced by Kaiho Republic, and serviced by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stellar.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Stellar Film<\/a>; Latvian feature Escape Net directed by Dzintars Dreibergs, produced by <a href=\"https:\/\/kultfilma.lv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Kultfilma<\/a>, and serviced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threebrothers.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Three Brothers<\/a>; Finnish feature Perfect Strangers directed by Rike Jokela, produced by Lucy Loves Drama, and serviced by <a href=\"https:\/\/menufilmid.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Menufilmid<\/a>; Danish animated film Checkered Ninja 3 directed by Thorbj\u00f8rn Christoffersen and Anders Matthesen, produced by A. Film Production, and serviced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afilm.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">A Film Estonia<\/a>; Estonian\/Finnish\/Swedish Orenda directed by Pirjo Honkasalo, produced by Bufo, and coproduced by\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.allfilm.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Allfilm<\/a>; Danish animation Mugge and Supper Happy directed by Mikael <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jan_Uusp\u00f5ld_Goes_Home_by_Rain_Tolk_and_Andres_Maimik__credits_Gea_Kumpel__2.jpg\" alt=\"Jan Uusp\u00f5ld Goes Home by Rain Tolk and Andres Maimik, credit: Gea Kumpel\" width=\"270\" height=\"180\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: right;\" title=\"Jan Uusp\u00f5ld Goes Home by Rain Tolk and Andres Maimik, credit: Gea Kumpel\"\/>Wulff, Anders Morgenthaler, produced by A. Film Production, and serviced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.afilm.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">A Film Estonia<\/a>; U.S. feature Bubble &amp; Squeak, directed by Evan Twohy, produced by Squeak Productions Inc., and serviced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.threebrothers.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Three Brothers<\/a>; Finnish feature Never Alone directed by Klaus H\u00e4ro, produced by Matila R\u00f6hr Productions (MRP), and serviced by <a href=\"https:\/\/taska.ee\/en-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Taska Film<\/a>; Danish\/Estonian\/French\/German animated film Panda Bear in Africa directed by Richard Claus and Karsten Kiilerich, produced by A. Film Productions, and coproduced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.afilm.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">A Film Estonia<\/a>;and French\/Estonian\/Finnish\/German\/Swedish feature Quiet Life directed Alexandros Avranas, produced by Les Films du Worso, and serviced by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.threebrothers.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Three Brothers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the Tartu Film Fund had a dedicated budget of 150,000 EUR for productions shot in Tartu and South Estonia, while the <a href=\"https:\/\/vff.ee\/film_fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Viru Film Fund<\/a>\u00a0had a dedicated budget of 200,000 EUR for productions shot in the Ida-Viru County.<\/p>\n<p>CODA \u2013 Co-development Animation Awards, created to support early stage animated film project development and boost cross-border collaboration, have been unveiled at the industry programme of \u200b\u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/shorts.poff.ee\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">P\u00d6FF Shorts<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.poff.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival<\/a>, 2025).<\/p>\n<p>Initiated and administered by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ceeanimation.eu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CEE Animation<\/a>, and supported by national funds from 11 CEE countries \u2013 including the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Estonian Film Institute<\/a>, the awards will be distributed across three categories: Feature Film Co-Development Award (20,000 EUR), TV\/Web Series and TV Specials Co-Development Award (20,000 EUR), Short Film Co-Development Award (5,000 EUR). A yearly open call for animated projects is planned, with the first edition expected to launch in the spring of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>TV<\/p>\n<p>A new television, TV3 Gold, was launched in Estonia on 10 March 2025, aiming to target a 40+ audience and focusing on popular international\/local series. The channel replaced\u00a03+, which ceased broadcasting on 9 March 2025, due to declining demand for Russian-language content. TV3 Gold joined the <a href=\"https:\/\/tv3group.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">TV3 Group<\/a>\u2019s portfolio, which included <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tv3.ee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">TV3<\/a>, TV6, and TV3 Life.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>CONTACTS:<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM INSTITUTE<br \/>Uus 3, Tallinn 10111<br \/>Phone: +372 627 60 60<br \/>Fax: +372 627 60 61<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.filmi.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>CULTURAL ENDOWMENT OF ESTONIA<br \/>Suur-Karja 23, Tallinn 10148<br \/>Phone: +372 699 9150<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kulka.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.kulka.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN ANIMATION UNION<br \/>Roo 9, Tallinn 10611<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.animaliit.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">animaliit.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN DOCUMENTARY GUILD<br \/>Ankru 10, 11713 Tallinn<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dokfilm.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.dokfilm.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILMMAKERS\u2019 UNION<br \/>Uus 3, Tallinn 10111<br \/>Phone: +372 646 4068<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kinoliit.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.kinoliit.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>Contact: Liisa Lotta Kask<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM INDUSTRY CLUSTER<\/p>\n<p>Saue 11, Tallinn<br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact:PiretTibbo-Hudgins<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS ESC<br \/>Contact: Elen Lotman<br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM DIRECTORS\u2019 GUILD<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.efg.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.efg.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: LiinaTrishkina-Vanhatalo<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN SCREENWRITERS\u2019 GUILD<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stsenaristid.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.stsenaristid.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: Leana Jalukse<\/p>\n<p>THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ACTORS OF ESTONIA<br \/>Uus 5, Tallinn 10111<br \/>Phone: +372 646 4517<br \/>Fax: +372 646 4516<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.enliit.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.enliit.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: Reimo Sagor<\/p>\n<p>THE ESTONIAN FILM JOURNALISTS\u2019ASSOCIATION<br \/>Narvamnt 11e, Tallinn 10151<br \/>Phone: +372 669 8210<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmikriitik.ee\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.filmikriitik.ee<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ;\u00a0This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: Andrei Liimets<\/p>\n<p>THE UNION OF ESTONIAN FILM CLUBS<br \/>Vikerlase 13-62, Tallinn 13616<br \/>Phone: +372 632 4662; +372 55 46042<br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: RaivoOlmet<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM MUSEUM<br \/>Pirita road 56, 10127 Tallinn<br \/>Phone: +372 6 968 600; +372 5620 8875<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ajaloomuuseum.ee\/en\/filmmuseum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.ajaloomuuseum.ee\/en\/filmmuseum<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/>Contact: Sten Kauber<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM DATABASE<br \/>Koidu 17-1, 10137 Tallinn<br \/>Phone: +372 6015982<br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.efis.ee\/en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.efis.ee\/en<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>ESTONIAN FILM ARCHIVES<br \/>Ristiku 84, Tallinn 10318<br \/>Phone: +372 693 8613<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmi.arhiiv.ee\/index.php?lang=eng\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.filmi.arhiiv.ee\/index.php?lang=eng<\/a><br \/>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/p>\n<p>Report by FNE Staff<br \/> Sources: the Estonian Film Institute, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Estonian grand-old lady of the cinema, Leida Laius\u2019s landmark film Smile at Last \/ Naerata ometi\u00a0was presented at&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51110,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[89],"tags":[2413,2414,2415,2412,2417,2416,2406,2401,2411,167,2418,1138,2403,2396,2399,2395,2400,2398,2397,2404,2405,2419,2420,2421,2422,2409,2423,2407,2408,2424,2402,2425,166,2410,2426],"class_list":["post-51109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallinn","tag-16mm-film","tag-8mm-film","tag-bulgarian-film","tag-central-european-film","tag-cyprus-film","tag-czech-republic-film","tag-director","tag-documentary-film","tag-eastern-european-film","tag-estonia","tag-estonia-film","tag-film","tag-film-company","tag-film-database","tag-film-distribution","tag-film-grants","tag-film-industry","tag-film-production","tag-film-schools","tag-film-studio","tag-filmmaking","tag-hungary-film","tag-latvia-film","tag-lithuania-film","tag-malta-film","tag-movie","tag-poland-film","tag-producer","tag-production","tag-romania-film","tag-short-film","tag-slovenia-film","tag-tallinn","tag-television","tag-turkey-film"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51109"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51109\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}