The Baltic Event Co-Production Market, a key part of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, returns from 20-22 November, showcasing a diverse slate of 14 new film projects. These range from debut works to features by established directors, with the event continuing its tradition of providing a platform for co-producers, financiers and sales agents. For the first time, the market is also presenting films for younger audiences, a move intended to broaden co-production opportunities and diversify the market’s scope.

Helen Räim and Kärt Väinola, co-managers of the Baltic Event Co-Production Market, emphasised the strong selection of titles from the Baltic states, the Nordic countries and Southern Europe. “The selection features an array of dramas that address critical societal issues – the climate crisis, migration and technological innovation,” they noted. “For the first time, we are also presenting films for children and youth, which we hope will open up new opportunities for co-productions.”

Germany, the 2024 focus country, will present five titles, including the daring debut Women Suicide Season by Anastasiya Gruba, a German-Ukrainian co-production produced by Oleksandra Kostina, of Bosonfilm (whose previous work Pamfir [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
interview : Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk
interview : Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk
fiche film] premiered at Cannes and received an EFA nomination). The slate also includes the German-Bulgarian co-production The Worker, directed by Eliza Petkova, which follows a Roma man maintaining a façade of success in Germany. Meanwhile, Jonas Steinacker presents his debut, Save Our Souls, mentored by Michael Haneke, focusing on youth resistance to consumerism and globalisation. In a nod to the inclusion of children’s and youth films, Germany will also showcase Ruki’s First Summer, the debut by Frédérique Veith, about a ten-year-old girl’s summer adventure in Tunisia. Another family-friendly title, Amy - Great Adventures on Little Paws! by Yann Sochaczewski, tells the story of a young girl and her loyal dog.

From the Nordic countries, Sweden and Norway bring along the satirical Push the Button, written and directed by Anton Källrot, which explores the comedic consequences of technological advancements. Norway is also co-producing the Estonian feature Container, directed by Arun Tamm, which follows a father and his sons in a container full of refugees. Adding to the Norwegian line-up is the Belgian-Norwegian project Norden by Belgian-Spanish writer-director Eva Cools, which examines the psychological effects of alternative upbringing and isolation. Finland contributes Little Mr Sandman, a touching family film by Heikki Kujanpää about the healing power of imagination, centring on an eight-year-old girl named Anni.

The Baltic states also feature prominently, with projects like the Latvian-Slovenian drama The Last Meal by Elza Gauja, which provides a raw portrayal of homelessness. Lithuania’s Flood, directed by Jorūnė Greičiūtė, delves into the emotional complexity of love and trust amidst an impending disaster. Ukrainian writer-director Ivan Tymchenko returns with the animated documentary English Lesson, telling the wartime stories of Ukrainian children during an online English lesson.

Further diversifying the line-up is the Turkish-French co-production My Happy Family by Alkım Özmen, focusing on an 11-year-old boy navigating adolescence and familial dynamics. Bulgaria presents When a Tree Falls in the Forest, a thriller by debutant Kamen Kolarov that confronts the environmental issue of deforestation.

For the first time at the Baltic Event Co-Production Market, the projects will be presented to the audience on 20 November in a conversation with Sibylle Kurz and Marta Bałaga. All projects will be pitched to a jury consisting of Celine Dornier (Logical Pictures), Paul de Beco (Playtime) and Elena Chandrinou (Eurimages). The best project will receive the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, a €20,000 grant aimed at advancing co-production projects and used exclusively to cover development expenses, while the Producers Network Prize will recognise the most promising young producers.

Here is the full selection of the 2024 Baltic Event Co-Production Market:

Amy - Great Adventures on Little Paws! - Yann Sochaczewski (Germany)
Producer: Yann Sochaczewski (Altayfilm GmbH)

Container - Arun Tamm (Estonia/Norway)
Producer: Madis Tüür (Münchhausen Films)

English Lesson - Ivan Tymchenko (Ukraine/Estonia/Sweden)
Producer: Svitlofor Film

Flood - Jorūnė Greičiūtė (Lithuania)
Producer: Rūta Petronytė (Smart Casual)

The Last Meal - Elza Gauja (Latvia/Slovenia)
Producer: Uldis Cekulis (VFS Films)

Little Mr Sandman - Heikki Kujanpää (Finland/Estonia/Sweden)
Producers: Klaus Heydemann, Madis Tüür (Inland Film Company Oy)

My Happy Family - Alkım Özmen (Turkey/France)
Producer: Olena Yershova (Meraklı Hayalperver)

Norden - Eva Cools (Belgium/Norway)
Producer: Maarten D'Hollander (Krater Films)

Push the Button - Anton Källrot (Sweden/Norway)
Producer: Ylva Olaison (Ögat Film)

Ruki's First Summer - Frédérique Veith (Germany/Tunisia)
Producer: Philipp Goeserm (Schiwago Film)

Save Our Souls - Jonas Steinacker (Germany)
Producer: Simon Pilarski (Lichtschloss Filmproduktion)

When a Tree Falls in the Forest - Kamen Kolarov (Bulgaria/North Macedonia)
Producers: Decho Taralezhkov, Kalin Kalinov (Invictus)

Women Suicide Season - Anastasiya Gruba (Ukraine/Germany)
Producer: Oleksandra Kostina (Bosonfilm)

The Worker - Eliza Petkova (Germany/Bulgaria)
Producers: Nicolas Kronauer, Karsten Stöter (Fourmat Film GmbH)