About EstDocs

Introducing EstDocs

Unheard Estonian stories.

EstDocs Films - Camera

EstDocs — an Estonian film festival in Toronto.

For over 20 years, we have showcased both professional and amateur films covering the Baltic nation of Estonia.

 
Estonia Flag

EstDocs is an annual event hosted by Estonians living in Canada, presenting a juried competition of documentary films. This is accompanied by a lively and enjoyable short film competition where anyone can take part. At times, when we discover interesting directors or themes, we also offer feature long-form movies.

So far, we have showcased documentaries and films, and shorts produced by both professionals and our enthusiastic amateur audiences. Through this universal medium of film, we intend to entertain, challenge and provoke by introducing a new Estonian generation's approach to cinema.

Estonia is a land where stories and dreams and many forms of art, including music, song and film, take flight as they capture the spirit of our very ancient yet surprisingly modern culture. Since regaining its independence after the Soviet Occupation, year by year, Estonian films are becoming more widely recognized around the world thanks to our excellent calibre of filmmakers and events such as EstDocs, the Estonian Documentary Film Festival.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves
President of the Republic of Estonia, 2008-2016


HISTORY

We started in 2005. Drawing on filmmakers of Estonian descent from all over the world, and non-Estonians who make films about Estonia or Estonians, the documentary film festival always proves to be an opportunity to share in a little Estonian culture right here in Canada. We are proud to regularly feature top documentary filmmaking talent from around the world.


MISSION

The EstDocs mission is to provide a 360° perspective on Estonian history, politics, arts, culture, and social aspects.

Our Team

Management Team

EstDocs is organized and run by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Maimu Mölder Festival Director
Lembitu Ristsoo Finance Director
Viive Tork-Hiis Operations Director
Kristi Sau Doughty Festival Consultant
Kalli Paakspuu Program Director
Liis Truuvert Ad Sales
Maret Jaks Communications
Bonnie Andrukaitis Programming
Johanna Helin Programming
Kaisa Pitsi Programming
Tristan Priimägi Programming
Keltie Thomas Programming, Short Film Competition
Rein Ende Technical
Jaak Järve Graphic Design, Jury Consultant
Reet Mae Jury Consultant
Mihkel Ranniste Marketing
Shashank Tripathi Design, Digital
Natalie Wainewright Communications, Graphic Design
Yvonne Milinsky Graphic Design, Cover Art

Volunteers

Our thanks go to all the many volunteers for their contributions in making EstDocs an annual cinematic experience for audiences... and to our generous sponsors and funders, as Estonians say: “respekt!”

Alan Teder
Alari Tork
Andre Vare
Technical
Andrea Hermann
Volunteer
Andrea Herrmann
Andres Müllerbeck
Anita Saar
Volunteer
Christina Prozes
Volunteer
Eda Oja
Einar Medri
Volunteer
Elias Gates-Kass
Volunteer
Eliis Jaansoo
Elin Marley
Volunteer
Elle Palumäe
Elle Pullamäe
Volunteer
Ellen Valter
Volunteer
Eneli Mölder
Volunteer
Erik Norkroos
Helena Doughty
Volunteer
Ingrid Laar
Ingvar Liitoja
Jaan Meri
Volunteer
Janne Laanemaa
Janne Laanemäe
Volunteer
Kai Kiilaspea
Kaja Telmet
Kariina Järve
Volunteer
Kati Kiilaspea
Technical
Kristina Laukkanen
Volunteer
Kristina Märtin
Volunteer
Kristina Põldre
Volunteer
Kristjan Müllerbeck
Leena Gates-Kass
Volunteer
Linda Karuks
Volunteer
Mai Meret
Volunteer
Mai-Liis Veinberg
Miina Yalle
Volunteer
Monica Zerbe
Volunteer
Nicholas Jones
Volunteer
Paul Shoebridge
Volunteer
Peeter Põldre
Volunteer
Piret Noorhani
Volunteer
Rob Hiis
Volunteer
Roland Campbell
Taavi Tamtik
Volunteer
Tauno Mölder
Technical
Tiina Hiis
Volunteer
Tiina Soomet
Toomas Mae
Urmas Sui
Vööbe Liitoja
Äret Pea
Volunteer

Sponsors over the Years

The generosity of these institutions has made our EstDocs events possible—

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