Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival Brings Estonia and Baltic Nations Into the Spotlight

variety.com:

Christopher Vourlias If there’s anything to be learned from the massive, industry-shaping disruptions of recent years — from the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the lingering fallout from the war in Ukraine — it’s that “the role of the big festivals in the industry ecosystem is crucial,” according to Tiina Lokk, director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. “When festivals were canceled or changed their dates due to COVID, the cycle of film releases went down the drain, which had a direct impact on cinemas and the whole business model,” Lokk tells Variety.

While streaming platforms and Zoom meetings offered a “temporary remedy,” she adds, “it was not a real substitute for live interaction, contacts in a business climate.” Last year, the Estonian fest drew a record 2,000 industry guests, highlighting the way such events continue to play a crucial part in bringing people together.

As Tallinn prepares to host its 27th edition, which takes place Nov. 3-19, festival organizers are expanding activities with a diverse range of satellite festivals, educational programs and industry events, underscoring Black Nights’ position as a lynchpin for filmmaking in Estonia and the region.

This year, the festival’s industry section is launching a new series of initiatives aimed at up-and-coming professionals, Breaking Into the Industry, with a new training program for cinematographers.