Discoveries from Estonia World Cinema

About the booming of smuggling alcohol across the Baltic Sea between Estonia and the neighboring and alcohol prohibited Finland. Fiery love relationships are another theme of the film.

"American summer" is a road movie about life. It is loosely based on the adventures of real Eastern European university students selling books door to door in United States.

A young man named Sherman survives the apocalypse in a soviet-style alternate reality and when trying to find his place outside an isolated city, gets stuck in an underground bunker.

Born from the fairytale of Alexei Tolstoy, a lively story about a curious tree boy Burattino who gets into an unexpected adventure.

13-year-old Oliver and Sass make a nose-shaped glasses holder in shop class, which at-tracts the interest of a mysterious major investor. At the same time, Oliver’s recently laid off father is struggling to find a new job. The boys are too young to run their business themselves so Oliver hatches a plan to kill two birds with one stone: they hire Oliver’s dad to run their business, also saving his parents’ rocky marriage! The trick is that Oliver’s father doesn’t know that he works for his son and son’s friend Sass. A fast-paced duplicitous game unfolds and starts to escalate when the boys find out what their mysterious investor is really up to.

The Soviet Union teeters on the verge of collapse in 1990 and tiny Baltic nations struggle to take back their independence. A rising tide of public opinion opposes the Estonian national team's participation in the USSR's basketball championship. The team makes the unpopular choice to participate.

It is time to get out of the closet and show the world your teeth. The director, who considers himself to be Mozart, has been tootling with his films in the festival circuit for years, waiting for a big breakthrough. For an inexplicable reason, the world has not recognised his talent. Still only Salieris have garnered the fame and the fortune. There is a simple conclusion. The world has not learned anything in 200 years and keeps repeating the same mistake.

When the doorbell rang late night during the Soviet times, if was often the sign of military recruitment. The chain of events in the film begins from the fatal ring at the door, putting the marriage of a young photographer and his beautiful wife to the test. Being afraid of the army, the young family try to escape the situation. However, they are drifting away from freedom.

The owner of the Lipuvere farm decides to marry his daughters off to wealthy suitors from the Mulgi Parish. However, the hearts of the girls already belong to local boys, with whom a plan is forged to get rid of the troublesome grooms.

In the idyllic beauty of a small town renowned for being serene , Merle's backyard is her sanctuary-a place of life, peace, and control. But when her husband Kalev's secrets begin to surface, including a missing girl and a chilling discovery, Merle's world spirals into chaos. As suspicion grows, Merle embarks on a dangerous quest to protect her sanctuary at any cost. In this gripping thriller, the garden becomes a twisted metaphor for survival, where beauty flourishes amidst decay, and the line between nurturer and destroyer vanishes.

Anya, a young academic raised in an orphanage, is on the cusp of success when she’s accused of drug possession. While in limbo hiding from the police, she hits the road with Kristina, another orphan several years Anya’s junior, in search of her possibly mythical grandmother.

Sauna Day invites you into the world of Southern Estonian men who go to the dark-intimate space of a smoke sauna after a hard day's work. Beneath their tough exteriors lies a desire for connection, veiled in secrecy.

The feature film "Hooleta" is a painfully honest look at the mental health crisis among today's youth. Emma - a young girl caught in the eye of a domestic storm. Struggling with the fallout of a fractured family, she searches for the missing pieces of love and belonging in all the wrong places. At school pressures mount and relationships crumble, Emma's life becomes a balancing act between self-destruction and the desperate hope for a new beginning. This is an intimate, emotional journey of a girl fighting to reclaim her identity from the wreckage of her daily life.

Olga is a doctor of an ambulance crew - she is a sincere, straightforward and warm-hearted woman who has firm views on human relationships, medical duties, friendship and love. When Olga falls in love with doctor Aleksandr Tennov, she expects him to share the same views with her.

The story of a businessman who wanted to make a big business in a small town, for whom money was only a means to hide his inner loneliness and his desire to find love.

At an ever-accelerating pace, this thriller / dark comedy tells the story of 8 very different groups whose paths cross in the space of 24 hours. We meet a wide range of characters - from spoiled rich brats to real bottom-feeding criminal scum, and everyone in-between. In the best traditions of Commedia dell’arte, the characters each have easily recognizable roles

The prospect isn't good: situation seems like jail, porridge bowl bottomless and time is running out. An unexpected discovery changes it all though.

A young mother and a police officer who finds herself in a predicament when deciding who to save - her family, her career, or herself.

Eerie short story that takes place in the past

A slice-of-life documentary following Ulla, a blind woman adjusting to life after eye removal surgery. With the help of her guide dog, Laina, she navigates Helsinki while pursuing a prosthetic eye and a deeper understanding of photography.

The film is based on several parallel personal stories of Russian families. During almost four years, the filmmakers observed Ksenija and Emilia who went to an Estonian kindergarten at the age of 5; 7th-grade pupil Mark who preferred Estonian school; and high-school student Vitali who went to study to St. Petersburg from Estonia. The film attempts to understand the problems that the children and their parents whose native language is Russian are dealing with - fears and hesitations, hopes and frustation, successes and failures, integration and isolation, language and identity

The film follows 12-year-old Ats, whose older brother Rain unexpectedly returns to the family home in a small seaside town to face their authoritarian father Kalju and their mother, a woman on the verge of losing love. Ats is a witness to the clash between his father and brother, two stubborn men from different generations with radically different views of the world.

In the snowy and secluded Estonian forest, Marti lives his life through routine. Haunted by his past bad judgement, he has become distant and lifeless. Kalev, an old local shopkeeper and a friend to Marti, tries convincing Marti to let go of the past and move on. Due to an unexpected event and Kalev's persuasiveness Marti finds himself on the verge of a new beginning. After his routine trip to the shop, Marti finds a young woman Irene at his doorstep. Marti, although hesitant, invites her inside for a tea. It doesn't take Marti long to realize Irene is not who she says she is. Torn between the past and present, Marti finds himself in a cul-de-sac. Meanwhile, Kalev is alarmed by two men parked outside his shop and is certain of their bad intentions. Marti knowing of the sinister plot in motion, has to finally come to terms with himself or suffer the consequences.

Fisherman Ärni has decided to take vacationers for midsummer due to the poor catch of fish. The plan is not bad, but extremely troublesome guests arrive at his beautiful farm in Muhumaa: Mrs. Sohvia, her husband Johan, their son Junior and Sohvia's beautiful sister Erna with her businessman cavalier Ivo. From first glance, it is clear that Ärni and his wife Laine will have a hard time with these vacationers.

Henrik is a successful actor and comedian who's always trying to prove he's not a homophobe. In his private life, he is lonely and insecure, struggling with adulthood. One day, after dislocating his shoulder, he joins a yoga class and makes his first gay friend ever.

In a quiet resort town Haapsalu four kids are spending their summer holidays together. Suddenly they are dragged into events that started in the 15th century in the local bishop's stronghold. The children must solve a difficult mystery of a clock robbery and they have to find a treasure that has been lost for centuries and contains a formula of making gold.

Estonia can be cursorily viewed in several ways - either as a tiny periphery state or a border country. But there is also another way - to go deeper into the country while truly perceiving it. Here a totally different layer opens up. This documentary is an inventory of an Estonian spirit before heading towards the superficial Postmodernism era. This is the story of our country, the way it actually is, the way we see it. A sensitive and an intelligent place with its stories and facts. Sometimes familiar, sometimes strange. Not gone yet. It is a country designed by the joint forces of the icecap and singing.

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. The second short film "Early Spring" is not a cool youth movie about frolicking teenagers. It's a sociopsychological challenge to incite a discussion about group dynamics, conformism, and social roles that are largely shaped and confirmed in teenage years. Hopefully there is a moment of self-reflection here for everyone who has witnessed the blind acceptance of the group leader's whims, even when they clash with the observer's principles and conscience. Later it's almost impossible to analyse what happened, and why. Sander is not the only victim here. You could even speak about Alo in those terms, not to mention Laura. In another world, Sander and Laura might have been a young couple in love, but it is impossible in given social structure.

On the evening of a total eclipse of the moon, seven close friends gather for a dinner party. One of the friends, a relationship therapist says that she is convinced that many couples would separate if they saw the messages on each other's phones. As the friends debate this contention, they agree - some of them reluctantly - to play a game. They will each place their phone on the table and they will share their messages and calls with the rest of the group.

A brilliant but misguided man feels that he has the right to decide who is worth their place on earth.

The feature film based on Eduard Bornhöhe's story takes the viewer to the early days of the 20th century, when Estonia was still part of the tsarist Russia. Pride in one's nation was emerging and the desire to give something eternal to one's people at any cost - be it a miracle machine flying in the air or valuable literature written in the language of the country. Unfortunately, it was not that easy and sometimes there was lack of talent.

Jüri Rumm is a hot-tempered young peasant who is not afraid of either German barons or the Russian czar, barfights or disobedience to his master's orders. Mari, a gentle peasant girl, loves Jüri despite the fact that he is very popular among young women. Evelin is a quick-tempered baron's daughter who is used to get everything she wants, including a peasant boyfriend who considers himself a free man. Yet, the free man becomes an outlaw. Where will the runaway's love lead him?

A giant girl lives in a wild rural environment. When the modern world enters this isolated Russian Old Believer milieu, the girl is taken away and dragged into the world of professional sports. The aim does not differ much from that of a circus in the Middle Ages – to entertain audiences and exploit the limits of people’s mental and physical abilities. But the girl proves to have unbelievable willpower and athletic talent. She is able to adapt and triumph in this new world. This is the story of the famous basketball player Ulyana Semyonova.

When two half-sisters, thirteen-year-old white-haired Sigrid and seven-year-old black-blooded Saara meet for the first time, it turns out that their common grandmother has been taken to a nursing home. The girls come up with the idea to steal him from there and hide him in the attic where they can be with her undisturbed. Everything goes well beyond expectations until drunkards, thugs and extortionists intervene and the girls have to act decisively to escape from them.

A music critic Hugo, suffering from post-divorce depression, is just about to rebuild his life when his jazz musician father Raivo arrives at his door unexpectedly. Spiteful old man announces that he will soon come to his end and expects his only son to take care of him. When an attractive psychotherapist enters the men’s lives, the father and son duo begin to compete for her attention. The old prankster manages to create a number of embarrassing moments in an effort to ruin Hugo’s romantic plans. Andres Maimik’s and Katrin Maimik’s tragicomedy is an exploration of forced closeness, a pursuit of happiness and a road to forgiving through laughter, suspense and tears.

Selection of musical numbers from the feature film "Jõmm", packaged separately into a musical short film.

Raivo Hein is a successful internet businessman, amateur astronomer, astrophotographer and traveler. He is both an idealist and a materialist. Raivo is probably the first cosmonaut in Estonia since he has the ticket for the space trip organized by Sir Richard Branson. Raivo believes in science, common sense and the bright future of humankind. He believes that the 1000-year-old man is already born. Raivo contemplates on the future of humanity as well as the mystery of life and the universe. The subjects of truth, its existence and the ways of reaching it are being discussed by Raivo, astrophysicist Jaan Einasto, physicist Peeter Saari, philosopher of science Enn Kasak, astronomist Laurits Leedjärv, church minister Gustav Piir and many others.

Peppered with elegiac undertones, this farewell story takes us to the world of old men getting ready to say their goodbyes to the world. Each in their own bizarre way. Nothing tragic, but the crossing of the threshold of eternity is still an enigma for all of them, just as is life itself.

A wide range of relatives and acquaintances have traveled to a funeral, and as is typical of Estonians, the sad event turns into a comical one as the evening develops. The primordial disputes that arise among the Estonians take on hyperbolic dimensions as events unfold, creating misunderstandings.

The forest industry, the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) and natural scientists who have participated in the forest debate are brought in front of the camera for the first time, in order to gain clarity about what has happened to Estonian forests and what legacy we will leave for future generations. The nature film, shot in more than 60 different places in Estonia, opens the viewer to the current state of Estonian forests and shows how political decisions have affected the use of our common property.

In a barren dystopian landscape, a remnant of a human searches for sources of oxygen. In it's journey it finds mind altering experience.

Mother Karin and daughter Mari are facing the demise of Mamma, Karin's mother and Mari's grandmother. They both release their pain on each other, but in unconditional love, everything is allowed.

A village girl travels to the Lao capital, Vientiane, to care for her rich cousin who has lost her sight and gained the ability to communicate with the dead.

The documentary portrays artist Evald Okas: an exceptional painter and a diverse graphic artist, a virtuoso drawing artist and creator of thousands of ex libris. Okas was a honorary member of Florence Art Academy, author of numerous book illustrations and master of papercuts, he has practised glass painting and ceramic art. He has been called as the Picasso of Estonian art. 94-year-old Okas tells the story of his colourful life, casts light upon his artwork and reveals the secrets of his principles of working. Tireless artist radiates zest for life and reflects affection towards creative life and looks back at his life with warm humour. Hotblooded passion of creation has never left the grand master.

The small town locals of Mustjala are the Indians of Estonia - they are ravaged by alcoholism and depression, because they've been ignored by the shiny capitalist dream. But then a German tourist ship boards in Mustjala. Could it be the realization of an old Estonian legend about a white ship coming from another land and bringing joy and prosperity for the local people?

In a marathon running, a criminal hides among the runners, after blowing up a statue in the central square.

Three Estonian and German couples explore polyamory, confronting ego, desire, and insecurity while redefining love. Guided by mentors, psychologists, shamans, and dancers, they navigate years of sexual freedom and emotional struggle under filmmaker Eva Kübar’s patient lens. After a decade together, Riita and Taavi open their relationship and join a camp where unconventional practices test their limits. Marianne and Sven attempt to save their marriage for their children, though Marianne’s bond with her lover Kay complicates her promise to stay faithful. For Kay’s wife Beate, Marianne’s presence becomes both a threat and an opportunity for growth.

Plucky young Lotte embarks on an adventure with her uncle Klaus to solve the mystery of three stones that a pair of hooded figures are attempting to retrieve.

A boom operator attempts to record the noise mushrooms make in this semi-experimental animation inspired by the world of sounds.

Jeremia Juunas Kirotaja has been fighting in Afghanistan; 21 years later he returns to Estonia to his father's funeral. He has converted to Islam and his only connection to his native land is the sound of his daughter Angel's crying that he heard a long time ago on the phone. Jeremia starts to search for his family. The daily life - if this can be called life in the first place - of the dusty and abandoned town is being run by women since men are almost gone. Nevertheless, the women seem to hope that Jeremia will be able to do something about it in order to remove the paralyzing feeling of emptiness.

A rare glimpse on the life and career of an otherwise reclusive World Rally Championship driver from Estonia. Often characterized as shy, retiring but headstrong, stubborn and with "a big ego", Ott Tänak puts all of his heart and soul into his dream of being a world champion. Hailing from the small island of Saaremaa, Tänak rallied his way into the WRC elite despite all of the adversity he faced. The documentary also features numerous interviews from relatives, friends and fellow drivers and crew members, along with vignettes from his personal life and rallying career.

A teenage girl has problems with her family and life when her little brother is born with a heart problem.

The Tsangaan people have lived ‘in the middle of nowhere’ since ancient times. Now, only one person remains to represent the entire nation. Word of the last Tsangaan reaches a young man in Tartu, who decides to venture into the unknown wilderness to find the final guardian of the vanishing people. Although at first, the young man feels like an outsider in the mystical world of the Tsangaan, he gradually discovers many layers within himself that connect him to this new environment. With each passing day, he grows closer to the last Tsangaan, leaving more and more of his previous life and identity behind. Reborn, the young man’s journey leads him to a place where he becomes the last person to have ever encountered a Tsangaan.

Artur is an Armenian guy who dreams about a career in filmmaking, but his grandfather wants him to take over the family wine business. When a bad review from an Estonian critic threatens to ruin the family business, Artur has to go to Tallinn to set things straight. There he meets the feisty Ingrid and things take an unexpected turn.

A documentary about Peeter Volkonski lets us take peek in the everyday life of a colorful cultural figure and explores how he manages to find balance between the household and the aristocracy. Prince Volkonski with his respectable pedigree is an Estonian singer, actor, producer and translator. What is the price of public admiration and is there enough room for compromises when dedicating your life on creation? How to enjoy the flight of a free spirit when the problems of everyday life can strike at any moment? Besides the creational activity the documentary explores the role of the hero's always supporting wife Maria and Peeter Volkonski's relations with his children.

When a former fistfighter Madis leaves the prison, he feels he will get another chance in life. Nothing can go wrong this time. Madis will be accompanied by his nephew who has something completely opposite in his mind. A game begins where both the weak and the strong get more and more opportunities.

A theatre director and his father clash over portraying abuse in a rehearsal, reflecting conflicting approaches in directing actors and their real-life strained relationship.

Scandalous TV journalists Rain Tolk and Ken Saan of Esto TV disguise as nationalists and infiltrate the conservative party Res Publica to expose xenophobia, racism and intolerance.