If you want to make your film with Estonian partners, these are the film funds ready to finance your project, according to Estonian Film Institute.

ESTONIAN FILM INSTITUTE PROGRAMMES FOR FILM PRODUCTION

MAJORITY CO-PRODUCTION

• Subsidy of up to 70% of the budget.
• 50% of the subsidy must be spent in Estonia.

FEATURE FICTION:

Budget 2025: € 4,182,000

• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 900,000.
• Two application deadlines: May 6 and December 9.

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY:

Budget 2025: € 990,000

• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 150,000.
• Two application deadlines: March 18 and September 2.

ANIMATION (all lengths):

Budget 2025: € 1,065,000

• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 900,000 for feature animation & € 300,000 for short animation.
• Two application deadlines: February 18 and September 9.

MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION

Budget 2025: € 600,000

• For producers from all over the world. Participation of an Estonian co-producer is necessary. Bilateral treaty not necessary.
• Subsidy of up to 70% of the Estonian part of the budget.
• 100% of the subsidy must be spent in Estonia.
• Estonian creative and production related participation in a project should meet the requirements of minority co-production grading table.
• Decision in 50 days.

CONTACT:
Estonian Film Institute
Viola Salu / Head of Production +372 627 6000 / viola@filmi.ee filmi.ee

FILM ESTONIA CASH REBATE

Budget 2025: € 6,000,000

Film Estonia cash rebate is a production incentive supporting the incoming production of feature films, feature documentaries, animation films, animation series, high-end TV-drama and the post-production of all previously mentioned works. An application can be made for international production service or co-production to receive a cash rebate up to 30% on eligible production costs.

• Support intensity – 20%–30% of eligible costs
• Deadlines – open call
• Applicant – company registered in Estonia
• Recipient – foreign company
• Decision – in 30 days
• Auditing and payment – in 40 days

The scheme is open for:

• Feature films with a budget of at least € 1 million; minimum local spend € 200,000.
• Feature documentary with a budget of at least € 200,000; minimum local spend € 70,000.
• Animation with a budget of at least € 250,000; minimum local spend € 70,000.
• Animation series with a budget of at least € 500,000; minimum local spend € 70,000 per series.
• High-end TV-drama with a budget of at least € 200,000 per single episode; minimum local spend € 70,000 per series.
• Post-production; minimum local spend € 30,000

Supported projects include: Azrael (US), Bubble & Squeak (US), Tenet (GB/ US), The Agency (US), Memory of Water (FI), The Burial (GB), Deliver Us (US), Besa 2 (RS)

CONTACT:
Nele Paves / Film Commissioner nele@filmi.ee / filmestonia.eu

THE CULTURAL ENDOWMENT OF ESTONIA

Public agency that supports culture, including audiovisual art, and sport.

MAJORITY CO-PRODUCTION

Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 200,000.

MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION

• Participation of Estonian co-producer is necessary.
• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 100,000.
• There are four application deadlines: February 20, May 20, August 20 and November 20

CONTACT:
Liis Viira Curator of Audiovisual Arts endowment +372 5855 9483 / film@kulka.ee kulka.ee

REGIONAL FILM FUNDS

TARTU FILM FUND

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate
Budget 2025: € 150,000

• Support intensity: up to 35%
• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in Tartu and the region of South-Estonia
• Support for the production of feature films, animations, TV-series, documentaries, short films.
• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary.
• Two application deadlines: in Spring and in Autumn.

Recently supported projects:
The Black Hole (EE/FI), Aurora (EE), *Smoke Sauna Sisterhood *(EE/FR/IS), 8 Views of Lake Biwa (EE/FI)

CONTACT:
fund@tartufilmfund.ee / tartufilmfund.ee

PÄRNU COUNTY FILM FUND

Type of fund: regional incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2025: € 100,000
• Support intensity: up to 25%
• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in the Pärnu County (except Kihnu municipality).
• Support for the production of feature films, animations, documentaries, short films.
• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary.
• No deadlines.

CONTACT:
Association of Local Authorities of Pärnu County / pol@pol.parnumaa.ee / parnumaa.ee/en/film-fund

VIRU FILM FUND

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2025: € 200,000
• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in the Eastern region of Estonia.
• Support for the production of feature films, documentaries, TV-series, short films, music videos.
• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary.
• Two application deadlines: March 1 and October 1.

Recently supported projects: Myyrä (s3) (FI), The Agency (US/UK), The Swedish Torpedo (SE/FI/EE/BE)
CONTACT:
Piia Tamm piia.tamm@ivek.ee vff.ee

FILM FUND OF ESTONIAN ISLANDS

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2025: € 25,005
• Support intensity: up to 40%
• Objective: production of an audiovisual work on the islands of Saare County.
• Support for the production of feature films, animations, TV-series, documentaries, short films and film education.
• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary.
• No deadlines.

Recently supported projects: The Swedish Torpedo (SE/FI/EE/BE), Jungle Law(EE)

CONTACT:
Saaremaa Development Centre +372 452 0570 / filmifond@sasak.ee / minusaaremaa.ee/en/projects/film-fund-estonian-islands

Photo: Still from the film Melchior the Apothecary by Robert_Lang