Discovery Campus has selected 24 emerging film professionals from 17 countries for its Black Room, Music Meets Film and Frame Within a Frame programmes. The participants will come together in Tallinn this November to develop their craft, exchange ideas and learn from leading international filmmakers.
From the spaces characters inhabit to the music that carries a story and the images that bring it to life, the three programmes explore distinct but closely connected elements of filmmaking. This year’s selection brings together production designers and art department professionals, composers and film music professionals, and cinematographers, helping them strengthen their individual creative voices while exploring new ways to collaborate.
According to Dhanushka Gunathilake, Head of Discovery Campus, every participant brings a different way of seeing, hearing and imagining a story. “Our aim is to give these talents room to experiment, ask questions and learn from professionals who understand both the creative possibilities and the challenges of filmmaking. Bringing them together also creates opportunities for connections that can grow into future collaborations.”
Black Room explores how production design shapes a film’s story. Through masterclasses and workshops, production designers, art directors, costume designers, makeup artists, props masters and other art department professionals deepen their skills and industry knowledge, examining the creative decisions behind compelling cinematic worlds.
The eight participants selected for 2026 are Claudia Valeria Barrantes Sotomayor (Peru), Leonie Enslin(Germany), Katie Heaton (USA), Lena Marie Hoelzl (Germany), Augustė Kunevičiūtė (Lithuania), Gilda Plati (United Kingdom), Marleen Prükkel (Estonia) and Olga Yurasova (Ukraine). Learn more about the talents here
A highlight of this year’s programme is a masterclass and workshop with production designer Inbal Weinberg, whose credits include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Suspiria, Blue Valentine and The Room Next Door.
This year's workshop will focus on production designers. Topics covered include how to develop one's artistic identity and approach, as well as how to transition from being a designer to leading an art department. The workshop will also focus on collaborations within the art department as well as with the cinematographer and director, and will include the participation of local production designers who will share their own case studies, working methods, experiences and career paths.
The workshop will be led by the Production Designers Collective, the largest international collective for production designers in the world, and will also be developed in collaboration with Aalto University’s production design programme, who will host a continuation of the workshop in Helsinki, Finland.
Music Meets Film explores the relationship between music, sound and storytelling. Bringing together composers, directors, sound creatives, producers and agents, it creates a meeting place for the music and film industries and encourages international collaboration between students and established professionals.
Music Meets Film selected participants in 2026 include Hassan Ali (France), Mia Marleen Kaabel(Estonia), Sierra Klingele (USA/Germany), Simon Lundsgaard (Denmark), Francesco Marzola (Italy), Annamari Matli (Hungary), Sara Siniscalco (Italy), Théophile Yvert (France). Learn more about the talents here
Acclaimed composer Martin Phipps will explore the creative relationship between directors and composers in the Director–Composer Lab: Composing the Script workshop and masterclass in collaboration with Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM). From Sound to Space: Creating with Dolby Atmos, presented in collaboration with Estonia’s Studio 89 and music producer Kauro Tafitšuk, will examine the possibilities of immersive cinematic sound.
The programme also addresses the business behind creative collaboration. In the panel and workshop Dialogue on Contracts: Hot Seat in Negotiation, attorney-at-law Priit Lätt of TEGOS and producer Helen Lõhmus of Zolba Productions will use real-life scenarios to explore copyright, contractual relationships and negotiation in the audiovisual industry.
Music Meets Film's main sponsor and partner is Tallinn UNESCO City of Music. Program sponsors are also Orchestral Tools and OTICONS Film Music Agency.
Frame Within a Frame helps emerging cinematographers develop their visual storytelling skills through practical exploration. Developed in partnership with Aalto University, the programme combines creative discussions with hands-on experience of new cinematography technologies and techniques.
The selected participants are Aleksandra Neyman (Poland), Clara Borrell Vilanova (Spain), Csaba Szentgáli (Hungary), Jacob Wallner (Germany), Kristians Robalds (Latvia), Lee Kelomees (Estonia), María Belén Pellicano (Argentina) and Philip Lidbeck Leierer (Sweden). Learn more about the talents here
The hybrid case study One Battle After Another: Visual Craft with Michael Bauman ICLS will examine lighting, visual choices and production workflows. In Close Up: Cinema and Visual Intimacy, Julio Macat ASC will explore the creative approach to filming actors in close-up.
The programme also includes a practical workshop on “Lighting Programming” by IMAGO Technical Committee in collaboration with ICLS, BFM, ARRI, Camera Nordic and Max Grip.
Another highlight is Seeing Through Glass: Leitz Cine Lenses, a talk with Dan Laustsen ASC DFF, to explore 100 years of Leica heritage and cinema lens evolution. In the session Dan Laustsen shares how lens selection, character, and testing shape the visual story on set.
Alongside activities for the selected talents, a selection of Discovery Campus masterclasses, workshops and discussions will be open to students, emerging professionals and other Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event accreditation holders. Read more HERE
Discovery Campus is the international continuing education programme of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. Working with international partners and established film professionals, it helps emerging talents expand their skills, develop their creative practice and build professional connections.
Photo: Director-Composer Lab: Composing the Cut (Listening Session) 2025, captured by Karoliina Kreintaal