The perfect place to showcase your first film at an international festival:

In an era of longevity, global shifts, and technological innovations, the international film festival «First Film» in Tallinn opens its doors to all those who aspire to express themselves through the world of cinema. In this new realm where audio-visual tools are becoming increasingly accessible, the festival invites individuals of varying ages and experiences to share their stories using the visual language of cinematography.

The «First Film» festival welcomes short animated, artistic, and documentary films created in any technique, spanning any genre and exploring any theme. What matters most is that your debut film reflects your convictions and conveys what you deem important to share with the world.

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May 11th and 12th
IN TALLINN

May 11th

First Film | International Festival is created to support aspiring animators and independent filmmakers, amateurs.

Our goal is to support and inspire amateur filmmakers, opening doors to new opportunities! The festival is interested in discovering new talents and providing knowledge and opportunities for the residents of Tallinn.

As part of the First Film | International Festival, there will be workshops open to all:

Those who dream of making their own film,
Those who already have some experience but lack knowledge,
Those who are seeking new themes, forms, and knowledge.

On May 11th, within the framework of First Film | International Festival, three workshops will take place for all interested adults and teenagers:

12:00 — 13:00 «How to Make Your First Film»
Speakers: Producer Natalja Matsenene and animator Marina Hirv.

This workshop is for those who dream of taking the first step: where to begin, what is necessary besides desire to turn the dream into a short film. The discussion will cover both independent artistic cinema and animation.

Marina Hirv, a student at the Animation Department of the Academy of Arts, will talk about her first independent film and her studies at EKA.

Natalja Matsenene, a producer, will share her experience in producing short films and animations.

13:30 — 14:30 «AI for Audio-Visual Products»
Speaker: Artificial intelligence development in creative work Oleg Gurin.

Does Artificial Intelligence help creators in making short films and animations? Can it invent and write stories? How to use AI for voice-over, translation, beautiful shots… Practical advice will definitely be provided!

Oleg Gurin is a specialist in multimedia and artificial intelligence development in creative work, as well as a filmmaker.

15:00 — 16:30 «Basics of Making an Animated Film» Speaker: Animator Victoria Schmidt

A practical workshop where you will not only learn how cartoons are made but also try to do it yourself. This is your chance to make your first mini cartoon and fall in love with animation!

Victoria Schmidt, an animator, a student at EKA, the author of five original films. Victoria has worked with Eesti Joonisfilm and Soyuzmultfilm as a set decorator and animator.

Workshops are held at: Creative Space studio (Soo 4, Tallinn)
Language: Russian and Estonian, English.

Workshops are free, but registration is mandatory:

May 12th

On May 12th, at 12:00, at the ARTIS cinema, there will be a meeting with Tallinn animators and a screening of the best films from the First Film | International Festival.

Animators Victoria Schmidt and Diana Buhmann will talk about their first animated films — how the ideas were born and what was important during the process.

Maarika Rosenstein and Maxim Pettai will share their experience of working on a creative project as a family! Together with their children, they created the film «Techumanity» which won the ShootShorts project competition and was featured in the PÖFF program.

Maarika Rosenstein
Information Architect and Designer

Wrote and directed their first film «Techumanity».

Maxim Pettai
Interior designer and musician.

Learned 3D animation for their debut animated film «Techumanity» and created sound design

Larisa Knyazeva, the director of Creative Space studio, will discuss the studio’s eight-year development journey and the successes of the animated films created there at international festivals.

Larisa Knyazeva

Further in the program: Festival jury members Gleb Kufterin, Eduard Tee, and Renelle Karnaskind will announce the results of the First Film | International Festival. Screening of the best films, award ceremony, and discussion with the audience will follow.

the jury