On 24 November, the 21st edition of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event handed out the prizes to the best projects after five days full of networking, presentations, panel discussions and meetings.
Altogether eight awards were handed out in to film projects in different stages of scriptwriting, development or post-production, including two awards handed out to promising producers.
Script Pool Award is given to the most promising project receiving a 2500 euro monetary prize.
Winner: And Thus It Will Go On
Director and writer: Marina Palacio
Producer: Lara Izagirre
Country: Spain
Jury comment: “We are thrilled to award the debut feature project And thus it will go on for its unique and adventurous approach to storytelling. We can't wait to see the finished film and wish Marina Palacio the best of luck for this exciting journey.”
Script Pool jury included Mark Brennan (literary agent at United Agents), Margot Hervee (Senior Licensing Manager, MUBI) and Louis Balsan (Executive VP, international distribution and acquisitions at Anton).
Works in Progress 2022 presented 20 projects in 3 categories - International, Baltic Event and Just Film Works in Progress.
Best International Project (includes 2500€ cash prize from High Voltage)
The Fisherman’s Daughter
Director: Edgar De Luque Jácome
Producer: Annabelle Mullen Pacheco
Production company: Belle Films
Countries: Puerto Rico, Colombia, Brazil
Jury statement: "We award this film for the urgency and immediacy of its story, and its call for acceptance."
Best Baltic Project (includes 5000€ worth of services from High Voltage)
Black Velvet
Director: Liene Linde
Producer: Guntis Trekteris
Production company: Ego Media
Country: Latvia, Lithuania
Jury statement: "We award this film for its insightful and never self-indulgent look at our existential anxieties. We found comfort in its humour and for that we hope this award will make up for that loss of - if we remember correctly - 156.36€ "
The jury of Baltic Event and international Works in Progress consisted of Ariane Buhl, an independent consultant in festivals strategy and implementation, France; Thorsten Ritter, world sales and co-financing, Beta Cinema, Germany; Andrei Tanasescu, programmer for Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days), Bildrausch (Filmfest Basel) and One World, Romania.
Just Film Award (includes a 1000 euro monetary prize to help the film gain visibility by covering promotion and publicity costs):
Raw Material
Director: Martin Boross
Producer: Gábor Osváth
Production company: Filmfabriq Country: Hungary
Jury statement: “Representation of young people who stand up for themselves, but not losing its playfulness. Convincing and believable acting, interesting dialogue. Not a black-and-white story about corruption. Promising, want to see the film”.
The jury of Just Film Works in Progress includes Nicola Jones, head of the German Children’s Media Foundation, Margreet Cornelius, senior project leader at the Network Film Education and Jaak Kilmi, film director (Sleeping Beast (2022), Christmas in the Jungle (2020), Juminda: On the Burning Sea (2023)).
In 2022, 11 projects were presented at the 21st Baltic Event Co-Production Market, including one from Focus Country Israel
Best Project Award (includes 10 000 euros, consisting of 5000 euros cash and 5000 euros service by YAMDU)
Winner: Blindsight
Writer and director: Ruslan Batytskyi
Producer: Olha Beskhmelnitsyna and Natalia Libet
Country: Ukraine
Jury comment: “We chose this project because it celebrates the power of storytelling as an act of hope and a necessity to surviving these dark, uncertain times. We were all drawn into the project's ambition to explore complex issues through a story that feels accessible yet personal and focuses on overcoming obstacles. We all felt the deep passion and commitment behind the BLINDSIGHT team and look forward to following their progress.”
Best Pitch (includes coverage throughout the film’s life-cycle awarded by Screen International)
Winner: Certainly The End of Something
Director: Michal Marczak
Producer: Anna Rozalska
Country: Poland
Producers Network Prize for promising young producers includes a pass to Producers Network 2023 awarded by Cannes Marché du Film
Winner: Elaheh Nobakht (Blue Girl)
Jury Comment: “Elaheh is a courageous and passionate voice in the film industry at a time when we so desperately need it. We hope that this award will support her on her journey towards making the urgent and heart-breaking story of BLUE GIRL a reality as well as many more films to come.”
Winner: Adriana Răcășan (A Flower is Not A Flower)
Jury comment: “We hope that this award will enable Adriana to make the connections and find the support she needs to bring to life the important, challenging and emotional story at the heart of A Flower is Not A Flower.”
The jury of Baltic Event Co-Production Market included Katarina Tomkova, producer, Kaleidoskope, Slovakia; Margrit Stärk, Director Feature Films, ZDF Studios, Germany; Sibila Diaz-Plaja, Development Manager, MUBI, UK.
Congratulations to all the winners!