With the 77th edition of the Festival de Cannes starting this week, many film professionals, film festival representatives and the international press are heading to Cannes, including Baltic Shorts delegation, who will be joining festival and will be present at the Short Film Corner (SFC) | Rendez-vous Industry activities starting from the 19th of May.
CANNES OFFICIAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Lithuanian cinema celebrates as Eglė Razumaitė’s “Ootidė” secures a place in Cannes’ official short film competition, joining 10 other films competing for the prestigious Short Film Palme d’Or. The official synopsis for “Ootid” reads: “Girls at summer camp discuss different versions of what happened to one of their friends who had to leave the camp and go home.”
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL’S CRITICS’ WEEK
“Sauna Day”, directed by Anna Hints and Tushar Prakash, marks a significant milestone as the first Estonian film selected for Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, following its recognition at the 2022 Baltic Pitching Forum. The short film invites viewers into the world of Southern Estonian men, who go to the dark-intimate space of a smoke sauna after a hard day’s work. Beneath their tough exteriors lies a desire for connection, veiled in secrecy. According to Hints, the smoke sauna continues to provide an inspiring environment through which to explore interpersonal relationships.
NEW PRODUCERS’ ROOM
This year Baltic Shorts has selected two active short film producers to participate in the NEW PRODUCERS’ ROOM at Cannes Court Métrage’s SFC | Rendez-vous Industry – Emīls Alps (Neonorma) from Latvia and Kadriann Kibus (Rebel Frame) from Estonia. Launched in 2022, the New Producers Room presents and supports 10 up-and-coming short film producers who have already produced at least two short films. The New Producers Room aims to make these producers more acquainted with co-production opportunities thanks to dedicated online sessions and presentations in Cannes. Beyond financial collaborations, it is the opportunity to build strong & enriching bonds, learn co-production skills for the future, and therefore enhance the distribution & the exhibition of forthcoming short films.
Emīls Alps is an emerging director and producer from Riga, Latvia. His debut film “Choir. Conductor. Kamēr…” premiered at the 2019 Riga International Film Festival and won the Latvian National Film Award for “Debut of the Year”. Nominated for various other works, his company Neonorma is producing its fourth short film and developing a Baltic creator-focused short film streaming platform under his guidance. Emīls’ newest short film project “Thank You For Your Review” (dirs. Līva Polkmane, Marta Šleiere) was presented at the Baltic Pitching Forum, Talents and Short Film Market, and is now invited to the Cannes Short Film Market.
Kadriann Kibus is an Estonian documentary director, producer, and anthropologist. She has worked on a number of documentary films as a director, producer or editor. Her body of work includes titles such as “The Women of Muhu Island” (Sabat Film 2014, EstDocs jury top prize), “Come Back Free” (as assistant producer, Vesilind 2016, IDFA mid-length competition jury prize), “The Pigeons” (Vesilind 2012). Kadriann is the co-owner of the film studio Sabat Film. She is the secretary and a member of the Estonian Documentary Guild. Kadriann’s latest short film projects were presented at the Baltic Pitching Forum in 2021 and 2023.
More information about initiative and other participants here.
LA CINEF COMPETITION
Lithuanian filmmaker Dovydas Drakšas’ short film “Praeis,” representing the London Film School, adds to the Baltic region’s festival presence with its selection in La Cinef Competition. The film tells a story of a daughter of a cigarette smuggler who reevaluates the memories of her father, questioning the childhood myth she built around him and getting to know him anew.
UNIFRANCE SHORT FILM PRIZE
The Unifrance will announce its yearly Short Film Prize during the Cannes Film Festival. Among 26 nominated films – Lithuanian filmmaker’s Eglė Davidavičė animation short film “The One Who Knows” which was presented at the Baltic Pitching Forum 2020.
MEET THE DELEGATES
– Lauma Kaudzīte, Managing Director at Short Film Conference, Coordinator of the European Short Pitch, Festival Manager, Industry Days Curator at SHORT RIGA, Events Manager at 2ANNAS Industry events, present from 19-23.05.;
– Diāna Trope, Head of 2ANNAS Industry events, Managing Director at Latvian Short Film Agency, present from 19-23.05.;
– Mirjam Mikk, International Distribution Coordinator at Estonian Film Institute, present from 19.-24.5.;
– Tara Karajica, Live Action Shorts Programmer and Head of the Industry Program at PÖFF Short, present from 19-21.05.
– Rimantė Daugėlaitė, Head of Lithuanian short film agency LITHUANIAN SHORTS, Head of Baltic short film industry event “Baltic Pitching Forum”, Head of Vilnius Short Film Festival, present from 18-22.05.
