Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, has emerged as a premier destination for both local and international film productions.
With its unique blend of medieval charm, modern architecture, and industrial landscapes, Tallinn offers a wide variety of settings for historical dramas, contemporary narratives, and futuristic blockbusters. Over the years, the city has proven to be an ideal filming location and a reliable partner for filmmakers worldwide, supported by collaborative production teams and efficient logistics.
A Perfect Mix of Old and New
One of Tallinn’s standout features is its diverse locations, allowing the city to represent historical periods, modern-day environments, and even futuristic worlds. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval Old Town, for example, is a favourite for historical productions like the Apothecary Melchior series, which used Tallinn’s Gothic architecture to evoke a 15th-century atmosphere. Cobblestone streets, medieval structures, and ancient city walls create an authentic backdrop for filmmakers aiming to capture the past.
In contrast, Tallinn’s modern and Soviet-era buildings provide raw, industrial aesthetics suitable for contemporary and futuristic themes. Hollywood director Christopher Nolan tapped into this potential for his 2020 blockbuster Tenet; where Tallinn’s brutalist architecture, industrial zones, and unfinished structures doubled as cities across the globe, including Kyiv and a futuristic metropolis. Key locations like Linnahall, the Maarjamäe Memorial, and Laagna Road gave the film a distinct visual style and showcased Tallinn’s flexibility as a filming location.
International Productions in Tallinn
Tallinn’s reputation as a filming destination continues to attract high-profile international projects. The ongoing spy series The Agency, for instance, has utilised several Tallinn locations, including the Hilton Hotel, Laagna Road, and Narva Road. This series, executive-produced by industry names like George Clooney and Keith Cox, highlights Tallinn’s ability to represent various global cities. Much of the footage shot here represents Minsk, underscoring Tallinn’s adaptability in portraying diverse settings.
Similarly, the series Seconds, now in its second season, chose Tallinn as its filming base after a successful initial shoot in 2023. Finnish production company FireMonkey returned to Estonia for the new season, with locations such as Porto Franco, the Luther Business Quarter, and Ülemiste City often doubling for Helsinki. Tallinn’s flexibility in portraying different locales has made it a compelling choice for these large-scale productions.
Another Finnish project filmed recently in Tallinn, Therapy, directed and written by Paavo Westerberg, is a realistic tragicomedy exploring themes of change, rebirth, love, hate, relationships, and life’s unpredictable forces. Estonian co-producers Stellar joined the project through Kaiho Republic, whose producer Liisa Penttilä has collaborated with Estonian teams for years. Much of Therapy’s story unfolds in an Estonian therapy centre, with Kolga Manor transformed into the primary location. Tallinn itself is featured in a flashback scene filmed at Kalaranna, where the main character walks home from work, demonstrating the city’s versatility in portraying both local and international settings.
Adding to Tallinn’s recent lineup is the U.S. comedy Bubble & Squeak, directed by Evan Twohy. This film brings a fresh dynamic to Tallinn’s portfolio with a story set in the heart of the city. The city’s efficient permit process was crucial to Bubble & Squeak’s production, with permissions secured in just a week, even accommodating last-minute changes. The local production team Three Brothers, led by Estonian producer Elina Litvinova, ensured the smooth coordination with the city. This collaborative approach reinforced Tallinn’s reputation as a film-friendly destination that meets tight schedules and international standards.
Smooth Logistics and Strong Local Support
A major reason filmmakers are drawn to Tallinn is the city’s streamlined permitting process and proactive support for production crews. Despite lacking a dedicated Film Office or a specific film fund, Tallinn is remarkably efficient in meeting the needs of film teams. Productions such as Therapy and Bubble & Squeak highlight Tallinn’s logistical ease, where quick permits and efficient collaboration with city authorities enable filmmakers to maintain tight schedules without compromising creative vision.
Local partnerships play a key role in attracting filmmakers to Tallinn. Estonia’s skilled workforce, combined with the Film Estonia cash rebate fund, provides both logistical ease and financial benefits for international filmmakers. Positive feedback from past productions has solidified Tallinn’s reputation as a film-friendly location with attractive economic incentives and agile response times.
Strategic Location Searches and the Growing Appeal of Tallinn
According to Hannes Paldrok, CEO of Location Unit, Estonia’s reputation as a production landscape has encouraged producers to consider recreating cities like New York, London, and Oslo within its borders. While Tallinn’s settings may not fully replicate these cities, more realistic searches focus on recreating periods and interiors from countries like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. Locations like Roosikrantsi Street have successfully represented cities such as Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Tallinn’s proximity to natural landscapes, including forests and the sea, adds to its appeal, enabling crews to easily transition from outdoor scenes to cosy restaurants in the Old Town by evening. Though the lack of mountainous scenery limits certain productions, there is an increasing trend to depict Tallinn as itself, opening up exciting new projects that require fresh perspectives.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: A Global Platform
Tallinn’s film appeal is further elevated by the annual Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). Founded in 1997, PÖFF has grown into one of Northern Europe’s most prestigious festivals, joining the elite ranks of FIAPF-accredited events like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice in 2014. The festival showcases world cinema and emerging talent, with its industry platform, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, drawing over 700 professionals annually. These gatherings foster collaborations, with many resulting projects ultimately choosing Tallinn as a filming destination.
The Future of Filmmaking in Tallinn
With its rich blend of historical and modern locations, compact city layout, and strong local support, Tallinn is poised to continue its rise as one of Europe’s most sought-after filming locations. This momentum is bolstered by events like the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, providing a global platform for new partnerships and future projects, many of which may be filmed in Tallinn.
As Kaarel Oja, vice-mayor of Tallinn, notes, “Cities compete to host major cultural and sports events that lay the groundwork for the growth of creative industries and elevate their international profiles. We’re fortunate to have the Black Nights Film Festival and its dedicated organizers, who have firmly placed Tallinn on the global film map.”
Embracing International Film Teams and Growing Cultural Tourism
The success of Estonian cinema reflects the high quality of work by local filmmakers. Tallinn offers an inspiring environment with diverse emotions and stories, making it a natural choice for international producers. Alongside Tallinn’s unique settings, factors like professional crews and the tax rebate system enhance its appeal as a competitive filming location. This dynamic supports cultural tourism, further strengthening the city’s attractiveness.
With a welcoming attitude, and an eye on future growth, Tallinn remains open to international film teams, helping them feel at home as they bring their projects to life in the Estonian capital.
Article by Eda Koppel
Header Image: Linnahall was used as Kyiv Opera House in Tenet. Photo by Georg Svidlov
The article was first published at Estonian Film Magazine 3/2024. Read the full edition of the magazine here