Stiina (28) is a single mother raising her 9-year-old daughter, Emma, who is often left home alone while the mother is working. What Stiina doesn’t know is that Emma has manifested an imaginary friend to keep her company and comfort her when bad things happen to her. What neither of them realize is that Emma’s imaginary friend is actually a younger version of Stiina herself.
Nafta Films was founded in 2009 and has become one of the largest production companies in the Baltic region, producing audiovisual content of all forms: films, series, and commercials.
Elisabeth Kužovnik graduated from the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School in 2022 having studied scriptwriting there. She is currently developing her first feature film, “Bicycle Thief”, where she is both the director and scriptwriter, which has already received script development funding from the Estonian Film Institute and Creative Europe Media development funding. Additionally to directing and scriptwriting, Elisabeth is also an avid photographer.
Andreas Kask joined Nafta Films in 2014 and has since worked as a Producer, Associate Producer, and Co-Producer on several productions. During his years at the production company, he has also worked on developing Nafta’s Marketing and International Relations strategies. For the past two years, he has been the Head of Development in the company’s film department, overseeing the creative processes of all of Nafta’s feature films, short films, and co-productions.
A concert pianist picks up a stray cat from the street and makes it his pet, pleased that he has found a docile companion. However, the cat soon starts misbehaving. As his bad behavior keeps elevating, even his looks seem to be changing. The pianist´s attempts to discipline the cat fail miserably. The situation becomes rather violent, driving the pianist to the very edge. The film is an allegorical story about internal conflict, a confrontation of destructive and creative beginnings in a person as shown through the characters of the musician and the cat, its owner’s alter ego.
Rebel Frame is an Estonian film studio focused on animation and documentary production. It is run by producer and documentary director Kadriann Kibus along with animation director and writer Sergei Kibus. Rebel Frame currently has a feature-length documentary in post-production and an animated short film, “Schrödinger” (by Sergei Kibus, BPF 2021), in production, as well as a few other animated shorts in different stages of development. They have established long-term relationships with local talent and also welcome international co-productions.
Hleb Kuftseryn (1992) is a Belarusian animator and artist living in Estonia. He has done freelance projects as well as worked for Estonian, Lithuanian, and Belarusian animation studios. He is a lecturer of 3D animation and computer graphics at the Estonian Academy of Arts and the European Humanities University (Lithuania). His previous films, “Dinner with Turkey” and “Rejection”, have been screened at several festivals such as Animist Tallinn, Animateka Student Panorama, BLON, etc.
Kadriann Kibus is an Estonian producer and documentary director running her film studio Rebel Frame. She has worked on documentary films as a director, producer, and editor since 2003 and has participated in projects at Ex Oriente, EsoDoc, and Baltic Pitching Forum. Currently, she has her feature-length documentary about young Estonian climate activists in post-production and a few animated shorts in development and production. Kadriann´s goal is to establish new international connections, to welcome co-productions and creative collaborations so that the films created could have a deeper impact and successful distribution.
Mari (29) has a unique problem – whenever she experiences shame about her body, water magically appears around her. As Mari’s psychologist prods into what may be causing her to bend the laws of nature with her brain, she resists. Mari diminishes her past experiences of getting horrifically bullied in swimming class as a child, not knowing that jumping head-first into the trauma is what is going to help her the most. In a surreal turn of events, Mari meets herself as a twelve-year-old, and they stand up to the bullies together. They’re never quite the same, but they are together and safe.
Moondustfilms (est. 2018) is Vivian Säde’s production company, through which she co-produces her own projects. Like Vivian herself, Moondustfilms focuses on comedy dramas with mostly female leads, often discussing topics like feminism in Estonia, LGBT+ youth, and mental health. Vivian Säde and Eve Tisler are currently producing a web series, “Kalamaja Blues”, for YLE’s @areena.stories through the company (set to premiere in 2023.) The minority co-producer Gabrielė Vaičiūnaitė produces at WHY Films and has been doing so for the past decade.
Vivian Säde is a screenwriter and director from Estonia. After graduating from Edinburgh Napier University (Screen Academy Scotland) with a Master’s degree in Screenwriting in 2021, Säde created and directed web series “Kalamaja Blues” for Finland’s Yle @areena.stories initiative. “It’s About a Wedding”, a short film written and directed by Säde, premiered in Black Nights Film Festival’s PÖFF Shorts 2020. She also participated in Lithuanian Shorts: Baltic Women in Film programme in 2023.
Gabrielė Vaičiūnaitė began her filmmaker career in 2007, working on the American fiction “Defiance”. She was internationally recognized after producing “Thump Thump” and in 2013 selected for Berlinale Talents. She has produced numerous commercials, music videos, and shorts. In 2019 she released a partly animated documentary “Delta Zoo” (by Andrius Lekavičius). Now, together with Andrius, she is working on a docuseries and a feature doc. She is the president of WIFT LT and coordinates the BWiFM program.
Eve Tisler is a creative producer and screenwriter from Estonia, with a background in journalism and communication. She co-wrote and co-produced the short film “Grandma, Meet Mary” (2021), which was nominated for the Estonian Film and Television Award and won Best Short Feature at the Toronto Short Film Festival. In 2023 she completed the Eureka Series training program at Series Mania Institute in France. She is currently in post-production for the web series “Kalamaja Blues” with Vivian Säde.
Vesta Tučkutė is a Lithuanian-American filmmaker. Born in a small countryside town in Lithuania, her roots in Eastern Europe are strong, and the place she ultimately calls home. She has produced over a dozen international & national commercials for brands and names such as; Apple, Yamaha, Madewell, Lowes, and Lidl. Along with producing, Vesta has been lucky to make her mark on two feature-length films as a Unit Production Manager. One of which, “Soft & Quiet” premiered at SXSW in 2022, gaining recognition from Blumhouse Productions and ultimately in 2023, being distributed to Netflix US. The other, “The Graduates”, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC this spring, 2023.
The short film “Ainas” is a road trip dramedy. Herta (25) seeks her fulfillment in other people’s recognition and love. That’s why she has jumped head-first into a relationship with a seemingly loving guy, Hermanis (29). The name day of the grandmother of Hermanis has arrived. The couple, together with Hermanis’ grandmother Aina (81) and mother Dzidra (56), are going on a weekend trip, and it is the first time they meet. The journey starts cheerfully, but all activities on it involve large amounts of alcohol. It leads the company to various amusing and questionable situations that make Herta ask herself again and again – what is she ready for, just to be liked by her boyfriend and his family.
WHITE PICTURE, a film production company in Riga, Latvia, founded by Alise Gelze, has been producing acclaimed films since 2006. Her works have premiered at prestigious festivals like Cannes, Berlinale, Rotterdam IFF, Karlovy Vary IFF, and more. Notable successes include “OLEG” (2019) by Juris Kursietis, “MOTHER I LOVE YOU” (2013) by Janis Nords, and “MELLOW MUD” (2016) by Renars Vimba. Currently, WHITE PICTURE is in pre-production of Juris Kursietis’ “BLUE BLOOD” and collaborating with HOMELESS BOB PRODUCTIONS for Rainer Sarnet’s “THE INVISIBLE FIGHT” (2023) with it’s premiere at Locarno IFF. They have co-produced “THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING” by Ineke Houtman and are developing several debut films. Notable ones include Armands Zacs’ “YOUTH ETERNAL” and Anna Ansone’s “SUMMER BLUES”.
Monta Gāgane is a Latvian scriptwriter and an upcoming film director. She obtained a BA degree in Philosophy at the University of Latvia and an MA degree in Audiovisual art: Film Directing and Producing at the Latvian Academy of Culture. Monta has also finished practical and theoretical courses in analogue and contemporary photography. She is a co-writer for the Latvian feature film, “The Pit” (2020), whichhas earned numerous awards from international film festivals and was Latvia’s submission to the 94th Academy Awards in the category Best International Feature Film.
KATRĪNA KARPLE is a third-year audiovisual art production student at the Latvian Academy of Culture. Since 2022 she is part of the production studio WHITE PICTURE team. She has successfully produced the documentary short film KSENIA (2023) with an upcoming director Renāte Saulīte which was selected for the Riga International Film Festival TEST SCREENING workshop and has now been selected at the Beast International Film Festival and Riga International Film Festival National competition section. KSENIA was made as a first-year Film student final work in cooperation with the Latvian Academy of Culture and White Picture. Currently, Katrina is working as a producer on two student short films in progress with upcoming directors.
‘’In Her Locket’’ follows the lesbian couple Emily and Paula as they unravel family secrets after Emily’s grandmother’s death. Discovering a locket with hidden connections, they learn about her grandmother’s past and her relationship with Lolita. Amidst conflicting emotions and disapproval from Emily’s mother, the couple navigates their love and seeks acceptance.
Sandija is a writer/filmmaker who has graduated from the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School and has developed 2 short films and 2 documentaries as a director. She has experience in other filmmaking roles as well, and has worked on Christopher Nolan’s set as a PA. At the moment, she is working on her first novel.
Kris works with young and upcoming Baltic film directors on short fiction and documentary films, as well as on TV projects. She has also gained experience on larger sets, like Warner Bros.’ ”Tenet” as PA. At the moment, she is based in Ireland, working for Google as a salesperson, and produces films in her free time.
“Thank You for Your Review” is a 10-15 minute live action episodic satire about people who leave reviews of public spaces. The short film celebrates outspoken individuals and comically points out how people can be the source of their own misfortune. It depicts 12 different views, from confused customers to self-centred narcissists who enjoy writing about their experiences. These vignettes create a mosaic of a connected universe and give the narrative its unique form. Even though there isn’t a main character per se, each of them returns from time to time, gradually developing the story.
Neonorma is a creative project production company that helps young artists develop and realize innovative cultural project ideas. The company has already successfully completed 2 short film projects – “Mia” (directed by Emils Alps) and “Reflection Syndrome” (directed by Emils Alps). Currently, the post-production stage is ongoing for its next short film – “Northpole” (directed by Roberts Vanags).
Līva Polkmane received her BA in film directing from the National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2022. Her short film, “Two Millionaires from Priekuļi”, won the Latvian National Film Award, Lielais Kristaps”. Her bachelor’s film, “Vacuum Cleaner Salesman”, premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Marta Šleiere received her BA in film producing from the National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2022. She has produced several short films and the feature film “Postcard from Rome” (directed by Elza Gauja). Her short film “Mia” (directed by Emīls Alps) was nominated for the Latvian National Film Award, Lielais Kristaps.
Emīls Alps received his BA in film directing from the National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2022. He has written, directed and produced several short films and a feature-length documentary. His debut film, “Choir. Conductor. Kamēr…”, held its premiere at the 2019 Riga International Film Festival and won the Latvian National Film Award, Lielais Kristaps, in the category Debut of the Year. He has received 2 more Latvian National Film Award nominations for the short fiction film,“Mia” (2021), and the short documentary, “Renaissance Man” (2022). His film production company, Neonorma, is currently producing its third short film under his supervision.
A couple journeys out together for a stay by the river, they have drifted apart. Listening to the rustling of trees and feeling the summer wind, long-forgotten memories resurface, and they discover themselves anew.
Martynas Kundrotas (b. 1985) is a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer living in Lithuania. He completed his studies in audiovisual arts, where he gained experience as a photographer and cinematographer. He has created several experimental and documentary short films. In his films, the main focus is on mood and the sensory experience of the characters, while eschewing a clear narrative. His film “Wanderer” was presented at international film festivals and represented Lithuania at the 86 festival in Ukraine. Currently, he works with the video production team “Subkinas” as a cinematographer and screenwriter, creating commercials, music videos, and short films.
In an old Vilnius neighbourhood next to the railway, a young woman has returned after years in far away places. She wanders the streets full of decaying architecture and bumps into colorful local characters. As day turns into night and trains pass in the distance, a poetic meditation on constant movement and a longing to belong emerges.
Vilnius-based company “Artišokai” was founded in 2017 as an open collaboration of interdisciplinary working artists. In the past 5 years, “Artišokai” initiated and organized more than 40 contemporary art exhibitions/ installations. “Artišokai” strives at being a harbour and point of departure, especially for young writers and directors. “Artišokai” produced 4 short documentaries that won 8 awards and travelled to more than 60 film festivals.
Gintė Regina is a Lithuanian filmmaker working in artist film and narrative fiction. Her short films often follow restless women traversing foreign landscapes in search of a sense of belonging. They have been screened in leading venues around the UK, including British Film Institute and Whitechapel Gallery. She has had two solo exhibitions, at GAO, London, and at CCA Derry~Londonderry. Ginte’s work was first shown in Lithuania as part of the Videograms Moving Image Festival in Vilnius. In 2022 Gintė received support from Arts Council England and the Lithuanian Council for Culture to make her latest film, ‘BOY’, which is presently entering the international film festival circuit. Gintė studied at Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.
Akvilė Žilionytė is a graduate of “EsoDoc 2020 – European social documentaries” and EURODOC2014, and she holds a MA in film directing and BA in Lithuanian Philology. She has been working in the field of culture for 10 years; in the last five years she has implemented more than forty contemporary art projects and exhibitions, produced 4 short films, which travelled to more than 60 international film festivals and won 6 awards. In 2017 she established ARTIŠOKAI – a Vilnius based production company producing both documentaries and fiction.
A dark yet funny Christmas tale about a closeted gay man, who becomes invisible during a family dinner. He wanders as a ghost in the world where he never existed and encounters his homophobic double – the only person who can see him.
“Smart Casual” is Lithuanian film production company founded by producers Rūta Petronytė and Justinas Pocius. Their approach combines meticulousness with occasional spontaneity, resulting in professional and innovative filmmaking. They cater to diverse needs while exploring a wide range of genres, lengths, and subjects. With a focus on substance, they collaborate with both emerging and established creators to bring forth thought-provoking ideas. Guided by principles of diversity and integrity studio aims to make a positive impact in the industry.
Kristijonas is an audiovisual artist, filmmaker, and photographer. In his work, he combines music and sonic art with visual expression in narrative and non-narrative films, and projections for stage, and audiovisual installations. While studying for a Film and Music BA at Brunel University (London), he worked on interdisciplinary art projects and festivals with students and lecturers. In 2014, he moved to Paris, where he worked as a director and editor, along with studying for his Master’s in Film Directing in at Université Paris 8. After 10 years abroad he came back to Lithuania and is finishing his first Lithuanian short film, “Reminiscence”.
Producer Rūta Petronytė has been working in the film industry for over a decade. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in various national and international projects. Currently, Rūta continues her career as a main producer. The premiere of her first produced film, “Čia buvo Saša” (dir. Ernestas Jankauskas), took place in 2018 at the “Tallinn Black Nights” film festival. In 2022, together with producer Justinas Pocius, she founded studio called “Smart casual,” which promotes standards of openness, sustainability, equality, and integration. Currently, she collaborates with eight directors and develops both short and feature-length fictional and documentary films.
Two teens, Melina and Iasonas, find a screenplay by Ioanna Digenaki at a house party. It narrates their day so far until the very moment they found it. The two friends immediately realize that they are movie characters. The script cuts off at: ‘Melina and Iasonas start searching for Digenaki’. While looking for the screenplay’s author, they will have to deal with their families, their relationship, and eventually start wondering what the ending of their own movie might look like, until they fall asleep.
Manos Tzivakis is an independent creative producer from Athens. He has produced short films by emerging local filmmakers, with a focus on coming-of-age dramas, while also collaborating with established Greek producers. Manos is an alumnus of the post-production workshop APostLab and Oxbelly & NFTS’ annual Script Reading and Reporting Course. He was also selected as a participant of the Talents Sarajevo 2023 Producers Summit.
Ioanna Digenaki graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2021, with a specialization in transmedia storytelling and character-building through social media. Her first animated short film, “Trixes”, was screened at the 45th Drama ISFF (Special Mention Award in the National Student competition) and the 63rd Thessaloniki IFF, among others. Although film is her main medium, Ioanna uses a wide range of practices to articulate her creative vision, including performance, painting, web and graphic design, and gaming. Her work is inspired by the absurd beauty of digital self-presentation, screenshots, and exploring notions of melancholy in everyday life.
Manos holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Freiburg and has studied Film Directing at the Stavrakos School, in Athens. In 2022, he produced his first short, “Love you more than Peanut Butter”, by Ariadni Litou, (Hellenic Film Academy nominee, 45th Drama ISFF). His next short, Asteris Tziolas’ “The First Setting Sun of Summer”, is currently in its festival circle. Currently, he is working at Yorgos Tsourgiannis’ Horsefly Films as a Junior Producer. Manos is an alumnus of APostLab and Oxbelly & Sarajevo Talents.
A middle-aged Athenian woman faces the overwhelming challenges of her personal life, her country, and the world. She expresses her deepest thoughts with biting wit, from her loveless marriage to the climate crisis. Amidst her struggle, she confronts the traumatic experiences that defined her. The narrative unfolds in two fronts: the woman’s introspection portrayed through static, wide-angle scenes, and fragmented glimpses into the life of a female sheep in a mountainous setting. This film draws a parallel between the woman’s unraveling existence, a product of modern civilization, and the innocent existence of a female sheep, a pure product of nature.
Atalante Productions is a boutique film production company, founded in 2021 by Ioanna Bolomyti and based in Athens, Greece. Ioanna’s filmography includes many feature and short films and animations, which they have travelled in many prestigious film festivals (Venice IFF, Locarno IFF, Sundance IFF, Toronto IFF, Clermont – Ferrand ISFF, etc) around the world and also had great success with their theatrical release.
Emma Doxiadi is a Greek and Australian filmmaker. Her films have screened at Cannes, Berlinale, SXSW, New York Film Festival, Tribeca, Austin, Maryland, Vimeo Staff Picks, among others. She studied at the NYU Tisch Graduate Film Program and is an alumna of the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab, and Berlinale Talents. Emma also strives to integrate environmental consciousness into the realm of filmmaking, through Everybodies.
Savvas Stavrou is a Cypriot producer and graduate of Sundance Lab, Berlinale Talents, and the Zurich Film Festival Academy. In features, Savvas has worked with Focus Features, Universal Pictures, and the BFI, alongside directors such as Michael Winterbottom, Joe Wright, and Lone Scherfig. In the commercials world, Savvas has produced for some of the most high-profile clients including Apple, Samsung, Nike, Adidas, and Armani, as well as music videos for Muse, Sam Smith, Royal Blood, Sigrid, and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Ioanna started working in the film industry in 2006 when she joined Argonauts Productions’ team and in 2021 she founded her own production company Atalante Productions SA. Her filmography includes productions and co-productions, for feature and short films, with a focus in new talents, as Thanasis Neofotistos’ Airhostess-737 (Locarno IFF 2022, Toronto IFF 2022, Sundance IFF 2023), Asimina Proedrou’s Behind the Haystacks (10 Hellenic Film Academy awards, including best feature film, best director, best screenplay, 6 awards in Thessaloniki IFF 2022, Best Debut Award in Goa IFF 2022) and Sonia Liza Kenterman’s Tailor (Tallinn Black Nights IFF 2020, nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Japanese Film Academy Awards).
Ioanna is a Producers on the Move 2022 and EAVE Producers Workshop 2018 alumna.
An eighteen-year-old boy in a small village in Crete prepares for the start of his military service, while his white python changes its skin. A childhood friend returns to the village after some years. Between the last summer outings of the friend group and the revelry that accompanies the parting, dreaming gives birth to their new skin at any cost.
Atalante Productions is a boutique film production company, founded in 2021 by Ioanna Bolomyti and based in Athens, Greece. Ioanna’s filmography includes many feature and short films and animations, which they have travelled in many prestigious film festivals (Venice IFF, Locarno IFF, Sundance IFF, Toronto IFF, Clermont – Ferrand ISFF, etc) around the world and also had great success with their theatrical release.
Born in Chania, Greece in 1994, Stavros is a writer/director and film programmer. He studied Communication & Theater in Greece, Film & Curation in Amsterdam, and he is a Locarno Industry Academy and Talents Sarajevo Alumnus. Currenty, he works in the Programming department of various film festivals such as IFFR, Leiden Shorts, Aegean FF, etc. His films, balancing between the real and the imaginary, aim to research the state of belonging, the different ways of perceiving time and reality, as well as the human relationships and non-human connections in our universe. His sophomore film, “Pigeons are dying, when the city is on fire” (2023), premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Ioanna started working in the film industry in 2006 when she joined Argonauts Productions’ team and in 2021 she founded her own production company Atalante Productions SA. Her filmography includes productions and co-productions, for feature and short films, with a focus in new talents, as Thanasis Neofotistos’ Airhostess-737 (Locarno IFF 2022, Toronto IFF 2022, Sundance IFF 2023), Asimina Proedrou’s Behind the Haystacks (10 Hellenic Film Academy awards, including best feature film, best director, best screenplay, 6 awards in Thessaloniki IFF 2022, Best Debut Award in Goa IFF 2022) and Sonia Liza Kenterman’s Tailor (Tallinn Black Nights IFF 2020, nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Japanese Film Academy Awards).
Ioanna is a Producers on the Move 2022 and EAVE Producers Workshop 2018 alumna.
