Join masterclasses, workshops and discussions with composer Martin Phipps, cinematographer Michael Bauman, leading international casting directors and other acclaimed film professionals at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event this November.
Students and emerging film professionals are warmly invited to explore the Discovery Campus open sessions during Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. From cinematography and casting to film music and audience development, the programme offers opportunities to learn directly from established professionals, ask questions and meet peers from across the industry.
The sessions include masterclasses, workshops, case studies and panel discussions. They are accessible with the Industry Student/Talent accreditation, available at an early-bird rate until the end of September.
Many of the open sessions form part of Discovery Campus, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event’s international education programme designed to expand the knowledge, skills and professional networks of emerging film talent. The programme brings together cinematographers, actors, film composers and other music professionals, production designers and art department professionals, directors, screenwriters, producers, and specialists working in film circulation.
According to Dhanushka Gunathilake, Head of Discovery Campus, the open sessions offer young professionals a rare opportunity to learn directly from established members of the international film industry.
“Throughout the week, Discovery Campus welcomes accomplished film professionals who are ready to share their knowledge, experiences and lessons learned along the way. The open sessions give emerging talents an opportunity not only to develop their skills, but also to gain practical insights and encouragement for building their own path in the film industry,” said Gunathilake.
Several open sessions will focus on the creative and technical craft of cinematography. Award-winning cinematographer and President of the International Cinema Lighting Society Michael Bauman ICLS, ASC will take audiences behind the scenes of One Battle After Another during the hybrid sesion. The case study will explore the creative vision, artistic choices and technical decisions behind the film’s distinctive visual storytelling, as well as the production challenges and collaborative processes that shaped its final look.
Leitz Cine will mark 100 years of Leica Camera history with Seeing Through Glass: Leitz Cine Lenses and the Cinematographer’s Eye. The session will trace the evolution and distinctive characteristics of the Leitz family of cinema lenses, examining how lens selection and testing influence a film’s visual language from script to screen.
In The Dark Passage: Reclaiming Time, Space and the Unconscious in Digital Filmmaking, Philippe Ros AFC and fellow panellists will examine what contemporary digital productions may have lost by eliminating the delayed feedback once inherent in working with film. Moving beyond a simple film-versus-digital debate, the discussion will offer practical strategies for combining the flexibility of digital filmmaking with greater reflection, creative instinct and team cohesion on set.
The Frame Within a Frame programme will also present its 2026 Talent Screening, featuring short films by eight emerging cinematographers. The participants will discuss their creative and technical approaches and compete for the FWF Lens Award, which recognises outstanding visual vision, lighting and narrative camera work.
Actors and casting professionals can gain first-hand insight into the casting of two internationally acclaimed films. Casting director Yngvill Kolset Haga will discuss her work on Sentimental Value, while Pauline Hansson and Nina Haun will explore the casting process behind Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning Triangle of Sadness. Both conversations will be moderated by casting and film industry expert Claudia Landsberger.
The programme will also include a presentation of the European casting platform e-TALENTA, offering actors practical guidance on creating and improving their professional online profiles, as well as a workshop led by agent Dragan Greensmith.
Acclaimed composer Martin Phipps will lead the masterclass Director–Composer Lab, exploring the creative relationship between directors and composers. Drawing on his extensive work across film and television, Phipps will examine the scoring process from initial conversations and spotting sessions to developing and refining music alongside the picture. The session is aimed at composers, directors and producers seeking a deeper understanding of how strong communication can lead to a more effective creative partnership.
Music Meets Film will also look towards the future of cinematic sound with From Sound to Space: Creating with Dolby Atmos. Created in collaboration with Estonia’s Studio 89 and led by music producer Kauro Tafitšuk, the session will introduce participants to immersive audio workflows, spatial sound techniques and the possibilities of using sound to strengthen narrative, emotion and audience engagement.
In the interactive panel-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 examine copyright, contractual relationships and negotiation in the audiovisual industry. The practical session will help composers, filmmakers and producers recognise common pitfalls and better protect their creative and financial interests.
Open sessions of Script Pool will address the rapidly changing landscape of film distribution and audience engagement. Lena Vurma of the International Screen Institute will examine what works in today’s theatrical landscape and how filmmakers can help their films get seen. Benjamin Cölle, also representing the International Screen Institute, will lead a session on audience design, offering insights into identifying, understanding and reaching the audiences most likely to connect with a film.
The full programme of Discovery Campus open sessions as well as Industry@Tallinn&Baltic Event will be published in October.
The Discovery Campus open sessions will take place in Tallinn from 16–20 November 2026 at Discovery Campus Hub at Talllink Spa Hotel Confrence Centre as part of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.
Access is included with the Industry Student/Talent accreditation or a Day Ticket. The early-bird accreditation fee is available until the end of September.
Photo: In 2025, Discovery Campus open session included the session of costume desginer Deborah McGuire, known for her works with Friends