Tallinn, Estonia – November 18, 2023: Culminating a five-day extravaganza teeming with networking, presentations, panels, and meetings, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event proudly recognized exceptional projects with prestigious accolades. The event celebrated eight film projects spanning various stages of script development and production, honoring two promising producers in addition to the noteworthy scripts.
**Script Pool: Recognizing Scriptwriting Excellence**
The Script Pool Award, featuring a €5,000 monetary prize courtesy of PWC, hailed “What Remains” as the most promising project.
Winner: What Remains
– Director and Writer: Leon Yersin
– Producer: David Fonjallaz
– Production Company: Lomotion AG (Switzerland)
The jury lauded “What Remains” for its poignant exploration of the tragedy stemming not from destiny but choice, spotlighting the profound impact on a son’s life. The jury’s comment highlighted the beauty and sensitivity of the story, anticipating its cinematic manifestation.
Additionally, the jury granted a special mention to “Rise of the Water Fox,” commending its inventiveness and excellence, expressing a wish for multiple accolades.
**Works in Progress: Celebrating Diverse Projects**
The Works in Progress segment showcased 19 projects across three categories—International, Baltic Event, and Just Film Works in Progress—each heralding distinctive narratives.
*Best International Project*
Winner: Mamífera
– Writer/Director: Liliana Torres
– Producers: Carla Sopedra Salvadó, Miriam Porté
– Production Company: Edna Cinema, Distinto Films (Spain)
Acknowledging the competitive field, the jury bestowed the award upon Mamífera for its compelling subject and story, emphasizing a poignant moment in the footage that resonated profoundly.
*Best Baltic Project*
Winner: Southern Chronicles
– Writer: Egle Vertelyte
– Director: Ignas Miškinis
– Producer: Lukas Trimonis
– Co-producer: Esko Rips
– Production Company: In Script, Co-production Company: Nafta Films (Lithuania, Estonia)
The jury praised Southern Chronicles for its authentic yet relatable narrative, lauding its impressive portrayal of comedy within a challenging storyline.
*Best Just Film Project*
Winner: Two of Me
– Writers/Directors: Raul Esko, Romet Esko
– Producers: Rain Rannu, Tõnu Hiielaid, Kirill Volkov
– Production Company: Tallifornia (Estonia)
Esteemed for speaking the language of young audiences, the jury recognized Two of Me for its potential to motivate and engage with the target demographic.
*The Baltic Event Co-Production Market: Honoring Visionary Projects*
The Baltic Project Award, featuring €10,000, recognized “The Elf” for its compelling narrative exploring childhood and trauma through a magical lens, appealing to audiences of all ages.
Winner: The Elf
– Producer: Joonas Berghäll
– Director: Hannes Vartiainen
– Production Company: Oktober Oy (Finland)
Furthermore, Flight From Kabul received the Best Pitch Award, captivating the jury with its gripping female-centric perspective on momentous current events.
Winner: Flight From Kabul
– Producer: Wanda Adamik Hrycova
– Director: Sahraa Karimi
– Production Company: Wandal Production, s.r.o. (Slovakia)
Additionally, the Producers Network Prize acknowledged promising young producers of two challenging films, lauding their dedication to local narratives.
*Producers Network Prize Recipients:*
– Anna Gawlita and Marta Szymanowska (La Manche)
– Commended for their relevance, challenging narratives, and exploration of modern issues.
– Rea Rajčić (Pogana)
– Recognized for presenting a universal story through a local lens, incorporating magical realism and captivating locales.
The 2023 Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event jury showcased a diverse range of exceptional projects, recognizing outstanding creativity and storytelling across multiple categories.
