Best of BFM Gala shines a light on filmmakers who will lead Estonia into the future

by Laurence Boyce

18/04/2013 - Held last week, the BOB (Best of the Baltic Film and Media School) gala saw prizes given to a number young Estonian filmmakers

The annual gala celebrating the best short films for the Baltic Film and Media School, based in Estonia’s capital of Tallinn, saw a diverse selection of films walk away with prizes. With the jury – consisting of distributor Timo Diener, journalist Fagira D. Morti and advertising expert Olav Olasin – looking at a number of criteria when judging the films, including international appeal, it would be unsurprising to see many of the chosen films appear at numerous festivals over the coming months.

The big winner on the night was The Last Romeo (photo), a musical romance, which saw director Monika Siimets take away Best Film and Best Director (which she also received for her other short film Is It You? and Ivar Tamm grab Best Cinematography (which he shared with Heiko Sikka for the film Sirens). Siimets has already received acclaim for her previous short As Time Goes On – which screened at numerous festivals, including the Academy Award qualifying Leeds International Film Festival – and her latest accolades marks her out as an Estonian filmmaker to keep an eye on over the coming years.

Other popular films included the comedy 95 by director Hardi Keerutaja which won both Best Script and the Audience Award and the tattoo themed documentary The Art of Life.

The gala was the first held at the BFM’s new Nova building which has seen the Baltic based film school become one of the best equipped in North East Europe. The BFM has recently announced a new International MA course in Film Art – open to directors, cinematographers, producers, editors and other disciplines – and it is hoped that the school will continue to grow recognition not only for its international students but for the next generation of filmmakers from the Baltic regions.

WINNERS:

BEST FILM

The Last Romeo (Viimane Romeo) - Moonika Siimets

BEST DIRECTOR

Moonika Siimets - The Last Romeo

Oled See Sina - Is It You?

BEST DOCUMENTARY

The Art of Life - Tiina Haak & Annamari Kenk

BEST TV SHOW

Koolitee - Madis Veltman

BEST SET DESIGNER

Doris Tääker - Getter Vahar for Kevad a’la Carte