The international continues education programme Discovery Campus, organized by the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, invites young film professionals and students to participate in masterclasses and lectures led by internationally acclaimed mentors. Among the distinguished mentors are Debra McGuire, costume designer of Friends, director Jessica Hausner, Emmy-nominated composer Miriam Cutler, and many others.

While a large part of the Discovery Campus masterclasses and workshops are reserved for 40 selected young filmmakers, the programme – running from 18–21 November – also includes a wide range of public lectures and events open to all interested participants. Attendance requires either an Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event accreditation or a day pass.

According to Triin Tamberg, Head of Discovery Campus, this year’s mentors and their wealth of experience bring exceptional energy to the programme. She shares: “We’re thrilled to welcome internationally renowned film professionals to Tallinn – it’s a rare chance to learn directly from some of the best in the industry. I warmly invite both emerging and established filmmakers from Estonia and neighbouring countries to join us and make the most of these invaluable and inspiring sessions.”

Public lectures of Discovery Campus include:

• Panel discussion “Can Film Schools Keep Up with the Industry?” – featuring representatives and alumni from film schools including BFM, Aalto, Warsaw Film School and FAMU, discussing the overlaps and differences between film education and industry needs,
• “A Post Lab presents: Visual development – how to get a unique look that supports the story” with Edmond Lacconi,
• Meet the Director with Jessica Hausner, who will share insights from her career journey,
• “A Post Lab: Cutting corners for micro budget” – experts Niko Remus and Katriel Schory explain how to work creatively with limited budgets without sacrificing quality.

In addition, public masterclasses and lectures are held across Discovery Campus’ subprogrammes. Black Room – focusing on the artistic side of filmmaking – sheds a spotlight on make-up and hairstyle this year. A public highlight of the subprogramme will be a lecture by iconic Hollywood costume designer Debra McGuire, known for her work on Friends and The Morning Show.

Frame Within a Frame – a training programme for young cinematographers – is organized in collaboration with Aalto University and several studios. Public events include:

• Screenings and feedback sessions for short films created by the eight selected participants,
• Master Screening of the Norwegian film The Emigrant, followed by a presentation from cinematographer John-Christian Rosenlund, FNF
• IMAGO Technical Committee and ICLS presentation and discussion: “It’s all about LEDs”.

Script Pool – a programme for young screenwriters, directors, and producers – features several public workshops and sessions:

• The Business of Film – workshop on financing, profit models, and the business side of filmmaking by Patrick Fisher,
  International Screen Institute sessions:
• What does a sales company do? – on the role and methods of film sales and distribution,
• How to design a festival strategy? – on selecting the right festivals and setting objectives,
• Script Pool project pitches, where five teams previously selected for the Script Pool competition will present their projects to the audience and jury.

Music Meets Film brings together composers, directors, producers, and sound designers, focusing on creative collaboration between film-, music-, and game industries. Public events include:

• Emmy-nominated composer Miriam Cutler’s lecture “Director-Composer Lab: Composing the Cut”, offering a practical look into the collaboration between director and composer,
• Panel discussion “Immersion Through Music: Shared Tools of Film and Game Scoring” – exploring the similarities and differences between music for film and video games, with composer Liina Sumera, director and game developer Nicola Piovesan, and music supervisor and game developer Natasha Skult,
• Masterclass with BAFTA-winning composer Atli Örvarsson, moderated by Estonian composer Ardo Ran Varres.
• “Dialogue on Contracts: What Should and Shouldn’t Be in a Contract” – discussion on contracts and risk management, featuring attorney-at-law Priit Lätt (TEGOS) and composer Helena Tulve.

Black Nights Stars – supports emerging actors at the start of their international careers. Public events include:

• e-TALENTA presentation / Luci Lenox workshop “How to have an international career without leaving your country?”,
• Panel discussion “Netflix, Tenet and Viking Valhalla - what opportunities do these films and series bring to actors from the Baltic Sea region?" with participants including Frank Moiselle (casting director, Viking Valhalla), Heli Jürisson (casting director, The Agency, Tenet), Raakel Huikuri (talent agent, Viking Valhalla), and actors Pääru Oja and Henessi Schmidt, both alumni of the Black Nights Stars programme,
• Workshop “Contracts that protect the actors” with Priit Lätt and Silvia Urgas (TEGOS), discussing key principles of fair actor contracts and what to watch out for.

Public masterclasses and lectures of Discovery Campus and its subprogrammes will take place 18–21 November in Tallinn.

Participation requires Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event accreditation or a day pass.
PS! Discounted rates apply for film students!

See the full programme of Discovery Campus open events