During the Black Nights Film festival a leading summit and trade fair for audiovisual industry professionals is also taking place since. Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, occuring from 15 to 22 November, hosts nearly 120 lectures, masterclasses and workshops and it might be tricky to find everything exciting that is going on. To help you navigate the schedule, here’s a selection of workshops and panel talks that might spark your interest.
Event Attendance: Most events require accreditation or a day ticket, but some are free and even available online. Be sure to check the details for each event!
TV Beats Masterclass: The Art of Developing Compelling Stories for a Broad International Audience
Tuesday 19 November 10:45 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus
Masterclass with acclaimed director, writer, and producer Per-Olav Sørensen as he shares his expert storytelling process, honed over years of experience creating hit series like Nobel, Quicksand, The Playlist, Home for Christmas, and more. In this masterclass, he reveals how he transforms ideas into gripping narratives, builds rich characters, and masterfully balances emotion with structure. Come and gain practical insights from his journey in the industry, and learn how to create captivating stories for TV and film that resonate with audiences worldwide.
PS! To attend the event, please register beforehand. Learn more
7 Mistakes Comedy Writers Make Session
Tuesday 19 November 12:30 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus
This workshop is for the serious comedy writers out there! According to Amanda Graham, there are 7 big mistakes that comedy writers make with their scripts, and this session will help writers avoid them. Want your scripts to pop for your audience? Want to make your comedy memorable and boost your chances of success? Then this is for you! Learn more
Networking session by Amanda Graham
Tuesday 19 November 15:30 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus
This is a revolutionary, high-energy session covering most common problems. The worksop goes through attitudes that will turn everything around for you, how to feather your nest, why success is down to a foot when you’re in an industry room, and how to get your email to a stranger opened and answered. Read more
Bridging the Gap: Preparing for the Future through Training and Up-skilling
Wednesday 20 November 09:30 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
Join industry experts and academics as they explore the essential skills for thriving in the film industry over the next five years. The panelists will discuss the significance of upskilling and how we can better equip the workforce for future challenges. PS! You can watch the session online. Keep reading
CresCine's Key Industry Insights and Trends: Tallinn Outlook 2024 - Audiences, Markets, Skills & Innovation
Wednesday 20 november 11:30 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
What's shaping the future of European cinema? From audience preferences and content export drivers to genre performance and industry skills alignment, and dos and don’ts in small European film territories - come and find out at CresCine's key industry trends session.
PS! You can watch the session also online, no accreditation or day ticket is needed. Read further
The Edge of Democracy: How to Remain a Filmmaker in the World Facing Challenges Like War, Displacement, (De)Colonization, Censorship
Wednesday 20 november 13:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
The panel is organized in collaboration with the Northern Lights Nordic Baltic Film Festival, a unique independent Belarusian film festival in exile. The festival was relocated outside its home country, Belarus, in 2020 following fraudulent elections, repression, and persecution. Northern Lights has collaborated with Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival since 2022.
The discussion addresses the urgent question of how filmmakers can continue their craft in a world marked by war, displacement, (de)colonization, and censorship. Featuring directors from conflict zones and politically charged environments, the discussion will explore the personal and professional challenges they face in telling stories that challenge authority and reflect their lived realities. The panellists will share how they navigate exile, resist censorship, and use cinema as a form of activism and cultural preservation. Read more
Industry Innovation Forum 10!
Wednesday 20 november 13:00 // Tallinn Creative Hub
The 10th Industry Innovation Forum (IFFT), formerly European Film Forum Tallinn, celebrates its 10th anniversary on November 20th, 2024 (12:00-15:00 CET) in a special edition format as an official sidebar of the Tallinn Digital Summit looking back and envisioning the future competitiveness of the European audiovisual, content and media ecosystem.
The 10th IFFT will focus on:
● Europe's Competitiveness and Innovation: Past and Future
● European Commission and Estonian Perspectives
● Future Drivers of European Competitiveness
● New Business Models for European Film/TV Success
● European Future Media Hubs and Industry Collaboration
● Public/Private Funding Transformation
● Virtual Production and XR Development
● Global IP Building from Europe
● AI's Role in Creative Industries
● Preview of Major Study on AI's Impact on European Media
Film for the Future: Exploring Sustainable Filmmaking Practices in Sweden and the Baltic States
Wednesday 20 november 15:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
The talk will take us into the future of cinema at Film for the Future, where Sweden and the Baltic States are exploring exciting new ways to make filmmaking more sustainable. From hands-on green initiatives to real-life case studies, the event looks at the collaborations and projects with real impact. The discussions on co-productions, virtual production, and the growing role of AI, will give fresh ideas and practical insights for the next filmmaking journey. Read on
[Personality-Led Growth in the Film Industry](Personality-Led Growth in the Film Industry)
Wednesday 20 november 17:30 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Sirius
People working in the film industry tend to be extremely creative and have access to compelling content and profound insights, yet many film industry professionals remain underexposed. The workshop on personality-led growth teaches how to showcase creativity without feeling like a sell-out, find your audience, and amplify your voice. It's time to step from behind the scenes into the spotlight. Check out the event here
Infinite Waiting: How to Make a Film without Public Funds
Thursday 21 november 10:45 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Vega
Film funds have often been cautious to support the genre cinema. Spanish director Miguel Llanso and Estonian film-maker Sander Maran discuss the long process of film-making without public support and direct access to international genre audiences. Read on
How to Co-Produce With the Focus Country Germany?
Thursday 21 november 15:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
While highlighting German talents and projects in Tallinn, the session includes a presentation of German regional film funds and updates on planned reforms in the German federal funding system. Read more
Public Funding & Strategy in Focus: Helping Producers Thrive in a Changing Industry
Thursday 21 november 17:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
The film industry is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, with cinema attendance rebounding but not yet reaching pre-pandemic levels in most markets. Although blockbusters are driving box office returns, there remains a significant gap in audience numbers for independent and mid-budget films, particularly in Europe. Producers need to be aware of this new reality as they plan their distribution strategies, ensuring their projects align with current market demands for both domestic and international releases. Read more
Meet Robert Bohman – Transforming Spaces and Lives
Thursday 21 november 18:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus
Swedish most known addiction therapist Robert Bohman will adress substance abuse issues in the film industry and the importance of creating an open dialogue on this critical topic. Find out more
Made in Europe: Theatrical Distribution of European Films
Friday 22 november 14:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
What is the current state of theatrical distribution for European films? The report Made in Europe provides a comprehensive analysis of the global circulation and success of European films. It highlights key markets, the most active producing countries, and the top-performing films over the past decade. Read more
Hot or Not: Cracking the Code of Film Sales and Distribution Today
Friday 22 November 14:00 // Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella
The panel discussion titled "Hot or Not: Cracking the Code of Sales and Distribution Today" offers an exciting and necessary exploration of the post-COVID cinema market. Experienced industry professionals Antonio Saura (Latido), Yohann Comte (Charades), Céline Dornier (Logical Pictures), Clément Chautant (Arizona Distribution) and Stephan Henz (DCM Distribution), will answer to the questions like "How is the market of the post-covid era?" "In terms of titles and genres, what is trending at cinemas?" "What does the returning audience expect?" "Has the meaning of festival recognition changed?" "And what about the producers – has their B2C understanding grown?" Find out more
Check out the full programme of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event here.
Also, feel free to get acquinted with SUSI, our virtual assistant, who is eager to suggest events to attend to our guests!