18/04/2023 - Three statuettes went to Elmo Nüganen’s first two films in the Melchior the Apothecary trilogy, whilst Aidi Vallik scooped the gong for Best Script with The Sleeping Beast

On Friday 14 April, during a special gala ceremony held in Tallinn, the winners of the Estonian Film and Television Awards (EFTAs) were announced. The accolades, established in 2017, aim to honour the achievements of national cinema and television, and are organised by the Estonian Film Institute in partnership with the likes of Elisa, ERR, Telia and ETV.

This year, the Award for Best Film went to Ove Musting’s Kalev [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. Produced by Allfilm and Ugri Film, the sports drama is set in 1990, and stars Mait Malmsten, Priit Võigemast, Reimo Sagor, Mihkel Kuusk and Andris Keišs in the leading roles. The script is based on true events and is set during the summer of that year. It revolves around the titular Estonian basketball team, which faces a momentous decision: with the country’s independence seemingly within reach, a rising tide of public opinion opposes the Estonian national team’s participation in the USSR’s championship. As professional athletes, the team makes the unpopular choice. Against all odds, Kalev makes it to the finals.

Kalev also snagged the prizes for Best Actor in a Film, Best Director, Best Score, Best Sound and Best Costumes.

Notably, three statuettes went to Elmo Nüganen’s Melchior the Apothecary diptych (Best Actress in a Film, Best Make-up, Best Production Design), whilst Aidi Vallik scooped the prize for Best Script for The Sleeping Beast [+see also:
film review
film profile].

Here is the list of this year’s main award winners:

Best Film
Kalev [+see also:
trailer
film profile] – Ove Musting

Best Documentary
Machina Faust – Kaupo Kruusiauk

Best Animated Film
Dog-Apartment – Priit Tender

Best Short
Dear Passengers – Madli Lääne

Best Actress in a Film
Maarja Johanna Mägi – Melchior the Apothecary (Estonia/Latvia/Germany)

Best Actor in a Film
Mait Malmsten – Kalev

Best Director
Ove Musting – Kalev

Best Script
Aidi Vallik – The Sleeping Beast [+see also:
film review
film profile] (Estonia/Latvia)

Best Cinematography
Max Golomidov – Hippodrome

Best Score
Mihkel Zilmer – Kalev

Best Sound
Matis Rei - Kalev

Best Production Design
Matis Mäesalu - Melchior the Apothecary

Best Editing
Andris Grants – The Sleeping Beast

Best Costumes
Mare Raidma – Kalev

Best Make-up
Gristina Pahmann – Melchior the Apothecary. The Ghost (Estonia/Germany/Latvia)

Award for Contribution to the Estonian Film Industry
Ave Kuik

Best TV series
Homme põgeneme

Best TV director
Andžei Matsukevits – Pöördes