Business@Tallinn & Baltic Occasion, the main trade confab in the Baltic region and a sidebar to the Black Nights Film Competition, has revealed the list of 17 films from 15 countries selected for three classes of Works in Progress: Works in Progress worldwide, Baltic Occasion Works. in Progress (from the Baltics and Finland) and Simply Movie Works in Progress (for youth and young adults).
Tasks – which are in manufacturing or post-production and looking for gross sales, additional coins and competition platforms – can be carried out by more than 500 trade delegates from no less than 45 countries on November 21-22.
Patrons and programmers who first discovered in Tallinn small gems like the Berlin winner “20,000 Bee Species” from Spain, can stay up for this year’s WiP program. “It’s terrifying, it’s steady, and it’s a lot!”, says Marge Liiske, head of Business@Tallinn & Baltic Occasion. “From the Baltics, we currently have fewer tasks this year, as many co-productions around the world have been delayed due to longer funding intervals. But hopefully, we will see this next year!
Triin Tramberg in control of Work in Progress Worldwide, emphasizes the top quantity and high quality of the submissions in all works in the process section, probably related to Black Nights Goes to Cannes’ organized with the Marché du Movie. “knowing that they have two opportunities a year to show a film in post-production, we’re on their radar,” Tramberg said.
Important tasks among the six worldwide works include “The Papers” about the infamous Panama Papers scandal, directed by the heavy Panamanian helmer and producer, Arturo Montenegro, who captured his nation in the Oscar race with “Everyone Modifications” (2019) and “Birthday Boy” (2023). Headlining the drama are Megan Montaner (HBO Max “30 Cash”) and Carlos Bardem (“Scorpion in Love”, “Cell 211”).
papers
Credit score: Q Movies
Three tasks worldwide as a directorial debut, together with the Swiss “Wolf” by Jonas Ulrich, winner of the Locarno Golden Leopard 2020 for “Individual on Saturday” and the German “Inside” by Pascal Schuh, finalist of the Pupil Academy Award with “Song of the Caretaker .
While the works around the world run large in terms of story and dimension, the 4 Baltic tasks, selected among 11 submissions, show the nature of a pervasive narrative, according to the supervisor of the section Helen Räim. “We have 4 strong social dramas with important characters who are very effective, find a way with love, desire and belonging, and even find humor, regardless of the situation. All the films touch on the widespread theme of society’s expectations, reveal the paradoxical reality of our events and ask whether you can remain free, regardless of age, time and place,” says Räim.
Lithuania dominates the slate, with two majority and two minority co-productions, along with the characteristic debut “Renovation” by former NY Columbia College alumna Gabrielė Urbonaitė. Characterizing the existential doubts and attraction of several young women to a Ukrainian construction worker, only when they are about to decide on their boyfriend, produced by Uljana Kim, recipient of the Euriges Worldwide Co-production Award 2023.
From Estonia, the rising expertise, Germany’s Golub, Oscar winner Pupil together with the fast-paced film “My Pricey Corpses,” may make a biopic “Our Erica” about the owner of the monitor bicycle Erika Salumäe, the main female Estonian athlete who won the Olympic gold medal . . Marju Lepp produces for Filmivabrik.
In the meantime, the Simply Movie section will present its largest slate with two children’s assignments and 5 youth films that tell “many individual stories from very different locations and occasions,” according to section supervisor Kärt Väinola. “These 5 films are aimed at young children, but among them are also some upcoming stories that are suitable for young adults,” he famously said.
Titles with a high profile absorb “Little Elephant in the Woods” by the Dutch filmmaker Meikeminne Clinckspoor, Emmy nominee for the children’s collection “Doopie” (2020), and “Soiled Land,” the directorial debut from Portugal Luis Campo (“Monte Clérigo” ) .
Face to face
Credit score: Pecado Movies
Initiatives from Worldwide Works in Progress and Baltic Occasion Works in Progress may be eligible for the €7,000 ($7,600) Best Effort Award, partially sponsored by Studio Beep in its post-production house in Prague. Jury members include Casey Baron, US program leader for the Tribeca Film Competition; Julie Marnay, program supervisor for First Reduce Lab and Alexis Cassanet, Gaumont EVP gross sales & distribution worldwide.
The jury that will award the €1,000 ($1,100) Best Effort Award to Simply Movie Works in Progress includes Janne Vierth, commissioner of the Swedish Film Institute; Portuguese film and TV screenwriter Teresa Lima, head of the youth and youth competition Play, and Eva-Maria Schneider-Reuter from Germany, media educator and creative director for the Sehpferdchen Film Competition for Generations,
Full overview of Works Worldwide in Progress:
“Moving late,” (Stefanos Tsivopoulos, Greece, Romania)
Producer Nikos Smpiliris (Boo Productions)
Maria Dragus and Penelope Tsilika star in the drama as a couple of Romanian single mothers with a history of activism, who struggle to fit into Greek society. Tsivopoulos’ directorial debut may be delivered in 2025.
“Stable,” (Björn Schürmann, Germany)
An exploration of the complexity of father-daughter relationships marked by physical distance. Helmed and produced by Schürmann in the shoe price range. “The business is famous for its low prices with a fun story. It’s kind of amazing how well it can be done in such a small way,” said Tramberg.
“Paper,” (Arturo Montenegro, Panama, Spain, Uruguay)
Bold characteristics by the multi-awarded Montenegro (“Everyone Modifications”) is based on the true Panama Papers scandal in 2016 in which 11.5 million monetary and legal information has been leaked to the press to denounce money laundering among the rich. In the picture, we meet the younger lawyer Ana Mendez (Megan Montaner), who is caught in the middle of the terrible Panama Papers scandal. He must fight the system, the world’s media and his personal moral compass to try to restore his fame and save his family. Q Movies is producing with Spain’s El Sueño Eterno and Uruguay’s Criatura Cine. Supply set for December 28, 2024.
“Inside,” (Pascal Schuh, Germany)
Mainly based on a true story. Thief Kasimir (Daniil Kremkin) uses a hole sofa to disturb people’s property and record unusual moments. The recording was given to Dr. Liebermann (Knut Berger), who watches him to try to find a way to feel his feelings. Characteristic debut with the increasing expertise of Schuh, finalist of the Student Academy Award 2022, produced by U5 Filmproduktion. It is expected to premiere in January 2025.
“Wolf,” (Jonas Ulrich, Switzerland)
A coming-of-age drama of the turbulent relationship of some young lady with the enigmatic frontman of a steel band, playing her on a journey of self-discovery that blurs the path between freedom and fanaticism. Producer Nicole Ulrich (Dynamic Body) stated that the central band in the picture was formed mainly for production, with Bartosz Bielenia from “Corpus Christi” Oscar nominee as the lead vocalist. Source: February 2025.
“Hermitage,” (Javier Marco, Spain, Belgium)
A full-scale model of the multi-awarded helmer’s eponymous instant film. Her first feature “Josefina” is nominated for 3 Goya Awards in 2022. Sonia Almarcha plays the famous TV host Lina who opens her social media hater’s house (Manolo Solo) to confront her, but the two quickly find her. not at all. Pecado Movies produces with LaCima Producciones, Langosta Movies, in co-production with Odessa Movies, Biograf Capital AIE and Bullet Proof Cupid. Launch is set for March 2025.
List of Simply Movie Works in Progress:
Youth Initiative
“The Little Elephant in the Forest,” (Netherlands)
Directed by Meikeminne Clinckspoor for 100prcnt Films.
“Ella and Mates: The Call of Nature,” (Finland)
Directed by Elin Grönblom for Don Movies.
Youth Tasks/YES
“Aquarium,” (Georgia)
Directed by Tornike Bziava for Reactormonkey Movies, Buni Productions, 29plus7 Photos, Shengelaya Productions, Arebato Movies.
“Dirty Land,” (Portugal, Italy)
Directed by Luis Campos for Matiné.
“Emi,” (Argentina, Uruguay)
Directed by Ezequiel Erriquez Mena for Rita Cine.
“Secret Supply,” (Czechia, Slovakia)
Directed by Ján Sebechlebský for 8Heads Productions.
“River,” (Chile, Argentina)
Directed by Cristóbal García for Vórtice Movies.
Baltic Opportunities Work in Progress:
“My name is Calendar,” (Latvia, Lithuania)
Directed by Juris Poškus for Madara Melberga.
“Our Erika,” (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia)
Directed by German Golub for Filmivabrik.
“Sand in Your Hair,” (Lithuania, Latvia)
Directed by Mantas Verbiejus for Fralita Movies.
“Renovation,” (Lithuania)
Directed by Gabrielė Urbonaitė for Studio Uljana Kim.
