Black Nights Stars, the initiative of the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, has announced the young actors from the Baltic Sea region to participate in the programme this November.

The Black Nights Stars programme is designed to bring together internationally operating casting directors and the emerging talent from the region to enhance their international visibility. The initiative aims to help the young talents from the Baltic Sea region to promote their talent outside their home territory and acquire the practical skills needed for their future international careers.

The international jury selected eight young actors from over 40 candidates based on their first feature film and TV roles. The Black Nights Stars 2021 are Miika Pihlak (Estonia), Sandra Guldberg Kampp (Denmark), Jan Hrynkiewicz (Poland), Doris Tislar (Estonia), Tua El-Fawwal (Germany), ​​Viktoriya Miroshnichenko (Russia), Elias Westerberg (Finland) and ​​Kristina Morta Paškevičiūtė (Lithuania).

The Black Nights Stars in 2021: Sandra Guldberg Kampp, Viktoriya Miroshnichenko, Tua El-Fawwal, Miika Pihlak, Elias Westerberg, Kristina Morta Paškevičiūtė, Doris Tislar and Jan Hrynkiewicz.

Read more about the stars and programme

The selected stars will meet with each other and also the mentors and casting directors at Black Nights Stars Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, part of the 25th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). During the four-days the actors will have meetings with international casting directors and talent agents, and participate in various workshops and panels, all designed to enrich them with new skills, contacts and information that can give them access to new opportunities in their careers.

One of the jury members, casting director Piotr Bartuszek stated that Black Nights Stars is an important step in the actor's career and it is an honour, a privilege and also a responsibility at the same time to be the jury member. “Participating at the Black Nights Stars gives the young actors an opportunity to get to know casting directors from all over Europe and the USA. It can become "this moment". Congratulations to all participants of this year's edition,” he added.

Finnish talent agent Raakel Huikuri, who has been a jury member also during previous years, commented that Black Nights Stars program is a fantastic way to honour the Baltic & Regional talent. “I’ve been absolutely amazed about the talent we have been introduced to during the journey and the event in total - it’s of great value to the film industry to discover these brilliant, unique & fresh artists."

The 2021 international jury consisted of Tusse Lande, (casting director, Sweden), Piotr Bartuszek, (casting director, Poland), Mike Rosser (Screen International, UK), Raakel Huikuri (talent agent, Finland), Georg Georgi (talent agent, Germany) and Anu Aun (film director, Estonia).

The programme of Black Nights Stars 2021 will take place as part of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event taking place during 19-26 November. The Black Nights Stars programme is presented by the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event during the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the European Regional Development Fund funded project Creative Gate.