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.
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:
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.
Diana Buhmann
Teacher
Produced her debut animated film «The Guardian» in 2023
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.
Maarika Rosenstein and Maksim 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».
Maksim 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
Gleb Kufterin
Animator & artist
He does animation, motion and graphic design, illustration. Conducts a course on 3D animation for teenagers
Eduard Tee
Actor of theater and cinema & director, educator
Appears in short and feature films.
Renelle Karnaskind
Artist in cinema.
Graduated from the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School (BFM) at Tallinn University.
Language: Russian, Estonian, English
Project Updates. May 12th, 2024
Today, at Artis cinema, the festival jury, animator and artist Gleb Kufterin, actor and director Eduard Tee, and artist Renelle Karnaskind announced the winners:
Estonia Short Film | TeenagersIst place: => Fibonacci (Director Margarita Gavrilova)
International Short Film Incorporating AI Technology
=> Ist place: Kazgu | United States | Director Tyronne Schaffer
First International Short Film | Teachers as Producers
=> Ist place: Little Changes | Spain | Directors Abril Garcia, Marc Jaen, Martina Navarro
=> IIst place: Puzzle | Turkey | Director Gülşah Erdur
=> IIIst place: Mammon | Spain | Director Nicole Cáceres
First Estonia Short Film | Teachers as Producers
=> Ist place: Herald | Directed by Tallinn Liikuri Kindergarten
=> IIst place: A doll’s unusual journey through Estonia | Directed by Tallinn Liikuri Kindergarten, Joint project of Estonian kindergartens
First Estonia Short Film | Teachers as Authors
=> Ist place: Water World | Directed by Tallinn Liikuri Kindergarten Teacher Group
=> IIst place: BSP-9 | Directed by Tallinn Liikuri Kindergarten Teacher Group
First Film | Estonia
=> Ist place: On the Other Side Of | Director Mia Felić
=> IIst place: I’ll be back in spring | Director Kliment Tihhonov
=> IIIst place: Hey | Director Diana Condé
First International Short Film
=> Ist place: Camping | Canada | Directors Sacha Kai Michaud, Alyssa Ashmore, Nicole Calfchild
=> IIst place: Anyway | France | Director Nicolas Maurin
=> IIIst place: The little romance of Will-o’-the-Wisp and Raindrop | Belgium | Directors Baptiste Denuit, Johan Denis
Tallinn-based authors received prizes and diplomas, while the best films in each category were screened on the big screen! Authors from other countries will receive diplomas in electronic format.
Congratulations to the winners!
Thank you to all participants and viewers!
Thank you for your support Tallinna Kodurahuprogramm and Tallinna Haridus- ja Noorteamet
Project Updates. May 3th, 2024
The festival teaser
Project Updates. April 24th, 2024
The First Film | International Festival has concluded its film submissions and is preparing to announce the results.
Still: The Hermit (Director Roney G, India)
First Film International Festival is supported by:
The festival is organized by:
Creative Space | MULTIKLASS OÜ, Reg. No. 14040724,
and NM Production OÜ, Reg. No. 14281907
Contact: firstfilmf@gmail.com