Estonia, a small but vibrant country in the Baltic region of northern Europe, offers an incredible variety of authentic filming locations, highly skilled and professional crews, and great financial incentives.
Estonia boasts stunning natural beauty and European urban centers. From picturesque rural landscapes with mystical forests, to towns rich in history and unique architecture, everything is within easy reach. For example, Tallinn, the capital, stands out with its well-preserved medieval Old Town (Vanalinn)—a bustling tourist attraction during Estonia’s warm summers and a magical wonderland during winter.
For filmmakers seeking choices and striking contrasts, Estonia delivers. There is ultra-modern architecture that reflects contemporary Scandinavian influences, as well as preserved Soviet-era “commie-blocks” that offer ideal backdrops for 20th-century period films. These settings provide filmmakers with a hassle-free shooting experience and an abundance of visual options, all at your fingertips.
To attract international filmmakers, the Estonian Film Institute offers a cash rebate program called
Film Estonia, alongside its existing co-production fund. These incentives allow filmmakers to reclaim up to 30% of costs incurred in Estonia, making it an excellent choice for productions of all sizes.
In 2017, Taska Films’ The Eternal Road (Ikitie), a co-production with Finland’s MRP Matila Röhr Productions and Sweden’s Anagram, became the first project to receive support from the Film Estonia cash rebate program.
In addition to the national Film Estonia cash rebate program, filmmakers can benefit from two regional film funds: the Viru Film Fund and the Tartu Film Fund.
The Viru Film Fund, operating in Ida-Viru County near the European Union border, has an annual budget of €200,000 to support the production of feature films, documentaries, TV series, short films, and music videos shot in the region. The fund offers a generous cash rebate of up to 40% on eligible local production costs. Applications are accepted twice a year, with funding decisions made within 30 days. To qualify, projects must involve an Estonian co-producer.
The Tartu Film Fund, provides up to 30% funding for feature films, documentaries, animations, and high-quality TV series which are produced in southern Estonia,. In addition to financial support, the fund offers valuable resources such as consultation on permits, location scouting, and connecting filmmakers with local service providers. To further promote the region, the fund participates in major film festivals, organizes familiarization trips, and supports marketing efforts. It also invests in the local film industry by offering training workshops as well as professional development opportunities. The Tartu Film Fund is an active member of international networks such as Cine Regio and EUFCN, enhancing its reach and impact.
For more details, visit the Film Estonia, Viru Film Fund, and Tartu Film Fund websites.
Founded in 2000 by Kristian Taska, Taska Film stands as one of Estonia’s most influential and successful film production companies. Kristian Taska, who remains the sole owner, has led the company to produce and co-produce over 30 feature films, drama series, and documentaries, all with a strong emphasis on audience engagement and storytelling excellence. Remarkably, seven of Estonia’s ten most-watched feature films have been produced by Taska Film, cementing its reputation as a powerhouse of Estonian cinema.
The company’s achievements include Names in Marble (2002), a historical epic that became Estonia’s most-watched film at the time, with over 160,000 ticket sales. In 2016, Taska Film broke its own record with the comedy Class Reunion, which drew 189,000 viewers and became Estonia’s highest-grossing film. Taska Film also excels in historical dramas, such as the critically acclaimed 1944: Forced to Fight (2015), Estonia’s official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 88th Academy Awards. This gripping war drama was distributed in 25 countries.
The company has been a trailblazer in the Estonian film industry, pioneering private financing for feature films and introducing the country’s first cash rebate project with The Eternal Road, a co-production with Finland and Sweden. Taska Film has also ventured into hybrid projects, such as the Melchior the Apothecary trilogy (2022), which seamlessly blends feature films with serialized storytelling.
Over the years, Taska Film has fostered a strong network of trustworthy partnerships, characterized by mutual respect and collaboration. With a commitment to innovation, exceptional storytelling, and audience engagement, Taska Film continues to lead Estonia’s cinematic landscape, creating films that resonate both locally and internationally.
