ESTONIAN FILM DAYS BERLIN

The programme covers the entire spectrum of cinema in all its diversity: original animated films, socially relevant dramas, comedies, historical and documentary films, innovative sci-fi productions and a gripping spy thriller.

The festival reflects the entire creative range of contemporary Estonian cinema.

The Estonian Film Days in Berlin are presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Germany in cooperation with Sputnik Kino Berlin. Once again, directors will introduce their films at some of the screenings and be available for a Q&A afterwards.

The films at a glance:

Friday, 28 November, 7 p.m. – OPENING

AURORA by Andres Maimik, Rain TolkFeature film: Estonia 2025 – OmengU, 111 min.
Family drama and love story with dramatic twists
On her wedding anniversary, Aurora, daughter of a cult leader, is haunted by her repressed past. Aurora harbours a secret that threatens to destroy the image of the perfect family.
The female lead is played by Berlinale shooting star and FFC jury member Maarja Johanna Mägi.


9:00 p.m.

LIONESS (Emalõvi) by Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo
Feature film: Estonia, Germany, Latvia 2024 – OmengU,
105 min. Thriller drama about a mother's search for her missing daughter
When 15-year-old Stefi disappears, her mother Helena has nothing left to lose – why cling to reason when madness offers a chance for reconciliation and love? The film is about a single mother and her rebellious teenage daughter, whose drug abuse plunges the family into crisis and drives Helena to take extreme measures.


Saturday, 29 November

5 p.m.

REBEL WITH A BOW TIE (Kilipsuga Mässaja) by Jaan Tootsen
Documentary: Estonia 2024 – OmengU, 94 min.
A humorous portrait of former President Toomas Hendrik Ilves during the last 18 months of his term in office. Jaan Tootsen's documentary accompanies President Toomas Hendrik Ilves during the last year and a half of his term in office – a period in which he has to deal with the complexities of world politics and his private life. Tootsen's watchful camera follows Ilves in his most difficult moments, showing no mercy and creating a captivating, rather ruthless and at the same time very human portrait of the president.


7 p.m.

ONE-DIMENSIONAL MAN (Ühemõõtmeline mees) by Andres Puustusmaa
Feature film: Estonia, Latvia 2025 – OmengU, 101 min.
An intense spy thriller about Raul, who is caught between duty, guilt and his own identity. Even secret service officers grow old. Raul's father Viktor tormented his son with discipline and communism during the Soviet era, and certainly also his interrogation victims. Now he is in a nursing home and needs to have his fingernails cut. Taking stock.


9:00 p.m.

THE BLACK HOLE (Must Auk) by Moonika Siimets
Feature film: Estonia, Finland 2024 – OmengU, 115 min.
A bizarre sci-fi comedy about a black hole that suddenly appears and its effects on a block of flats community.
In their search for prosperity and a better life, the residents of an apartment block experience all kinds of strange things. Aliens who pay €1,000 for scientific experiments, a fearless bodybuilder, an Austrian vacuum cleaner salesman in lederhosen and a black hole waiting in a lilac bush.


Sunday, 30 November

3 p.m.

LEAVING TALLINN. 1941 (Lahkumine Tallinnast. 1941) by Jaak Kilmi, Kiur Aarma
Documentary film: Estonia 2025 – OmengU, 75 min.
Historical documentary about the evacuation of Tallinn during World War II, in which thousands lost their lives. On 27 August 1941, the Red Army began evacuating Tallinn towards Kronstadt in the face of advancing German troops. Over 30,000 people – soldiers, communists and civilians – were distributed among more than 200 ships. At least 60 of these ships were destroyed by mines, torpedoes or air strikes. Around 15,000 people lost their lives. The tragedy off Juminda claimed more victims than Pearl Harbor or Dunkirk, but remained largely unknown. Documentary filmmakers Kiur Aarma and Jaak Kilmi recount the events as a suspenseful historical thriller from the perspective of those involved.


5:00 p.m.

MY PARTNERS (Minu kallimad) by Eva Kübar
Documentary film: Estonia 2024 – OmengU ,97 min.
A sensitive documentary about longing, jealousy and the courage to redefine relationship boundaries. The film accompanies three couples from Estonia and Germany on their personal journey into the world of polyamory. Between open relationships, emotional challenges and new forms of intimacy, they search – with the support of experts – for fulfilling love beyond monogamy.


7:00 p.m.

ROLLING PAPERS (Pikad paberid) by Meel PalialeFeature film: Estonia 2024 – OmengU, 98 min.
Romantic comedy about friendship, dreams and cannabis Slacker coming-of-age story from Estonia: When Sebastian meets the freedom-loving Silo, his dreary working days turn into a summer full of night-time walks, joints and dreams of travelling to Brazil. An ode to aimless drifting and the longing for more.


9:00 p.m.

Short films (96 min.)

- EATING TIME by Mari Kivi – Estonia 2025, 16 min.

- LUNA ROSSA by Priit Pärn, Olga Pärn – Estonia 2024, 33 min.
An impressive animation

- THE FLOW OF BEING by Helen Unt – Estonia 2024, 11 min.
A poetic work about existence and perception

- JUNGLE LAW by Madli Lääne – Estonia 2024, 18 min.
Adventure and wild encounters in a jungle

- IDYLL by Rao Heidmets – Estonia 2025, 10 min.

- YUMMY by Martinus Klemet – Estonia 2024, 8 min.