May 6, 2015, Toronto – EstDocs 2015 (Estonian Documentary Film Festival) unveils this year’s graphics design by Kylli Sparre. Drawing upon Estonia’s long and rich tradition of sacred forests and its strong relationship with the sea, this year’s image evokes a mix of whimsy, magic, and contemplation.
EstDocs is an annual audience festival and juried competition that features movies that have a connection to Estonia. EstDocs 2015 will take place October 16 through 20 at various venues in downtown Toronto, including Hot Docs. All films will be in English or Estonian with English subtitles as we look forward to sharing our culture and unique perspectives with the broader Canadian population.
We are pleased to announce that this year’s moderator is Joonas Hellerma, host of the weekly television program “Plekktrumm” (Tin Drum). Tin Drum is a thought-provoking talk show that explores how artists and free thinkers relate to and grapple with current cultural and political climates.
This year’s main jury includes jurors from both Canada and Estonia:
- Kadriann Kibus
Winner of last year’s festival with her film, “Women of Muhu Island” - Marc Glassman
Editor of POV Magazine and Montage Magazine, and film critic for Classic FM 96.3 - Urmas Rosin
Primetime Emmy nominee and assistant director of the short film “Wake”
Also, prior to the main festival events, EstDocs features a Short Film Competition. This year’s deadline for filmmakers to submit their short is September 23, 2015. The EstDocs Short Film Competition accepts films from both professionals and aspiring filmmakers; entrants do not have to be of Estonian descent.
The jurors on this year’s Short Film Jury are::
- Emilie Tamtik
A young, up-and-coming filmmaker from Toronto who submitted a short film to last year’s competition - Gary Maavara
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Corus Entertainment in Toronto - Madis Ligema
Second prize winner of last year’s Short Film Festival with “Visions of Kihnu Island”
ABOUT ESTDOCS
EstDocs is a not-for-profit Estonian documentary film festival and competition held in Toronto that presents unheard stories from the Baltic nation of Estonia. The EstDocs Short Film Competition continues to be the only international short film contest of its kind to focus on Estonian-themed content.
Our mission is to provide a 360˚ perspective on Estonian history, politics, arts, culture, and more. During the past nine years, EstDocs has raised the profile of up-and-coming filmmakers and has had the pleasure of featuring the country’s top internationally recognized filmmakers. All public festival screenings are in English or have English subtitles.
EstDocs is presented by Tartu College, whose mandate is to study and promote culture through the literature, music, film, and visual art of minority nationalities in Canada, particularly those of the Baltics.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Keltie Thomas
info@estdocs.com
