First Film International Festival, Tallinn (2025)

19/10/2025

🎬 Meet the Jury of the First Film | International Festival 2025!

Together, they will review the competition films -
and it’s up to them to choose the winners in 9 categories and the Grand Prix recipient.

On October 25 at 12:00, at Kino Artis in Tallinn,
we’ll discover which films will touch the hearts of the jury and the audience the most.

Free entry, but seats are limited.
Reserve your spot: https://forms.gle/ziMUyoeQrj9FVeMG6

🎬 Знакомьтесь с жюри First Film | International Festival 2025!

Вместе они оценивают конкурсные фильмы.
И именно им предстоит выбрать победителей в 9 номинациях и одного обладателя Grand Prix.

Уже 25 октября в 12:00 в кинотеатре Artis в Таллине
мы узнаем, какие фильмы тронут жюри и зрителей больше всего.

Вход свободный, но количество мест ограничено.
Забронируйте место: https://forms.gle/ziMUyoeQrj9FVeMG6

🎬 Tutvuge First Film | International Festival 2025 žüriiga!

Koos hindavad nad võistlusfilme ja nemad otsustavad, kes võidab 9 kategoorias ning kes saab Grand Prix.

25. oktoobril kell 12:00, Kino Artis Tallinnas,
saame teada, millised filmid puudutavad kõige rohkem žürii ja publiku südant.

Sissepääs tasuta, kuid kohtade arv on piiratud.
Broneeri oma koht: https://forms.gle/ziMUyoeQrj9FVeMG6

18/10/2025

First Film | Festivali parimate filmide näitamine

16/10/2025

🎬 International Short Film Incorporating AI Technology

AI technology is reshaping cinema - giving filmmakers tools to visualize imagination, overcome traditional production limits, and explore complex human and environmental themes. This category highlights how creative minds use technology to tell stories that resonate emotionally while pushing visual boundaries.

🎬 The Soviet Phoenix – Tim Aßmann, Germany
After Chernobyl’s worst-case scenario, a giant caterpillar is discovered in the surrounding forests.
Tim Aßmann explores the intersection of history, science, and imagination. Using AI-assisted techniques, he brings fantastical elements to life while reflecting on human curiosity, the unknown, and the consequences of exploration. "The Soviet Phoenix" is a visually striking tale of discovery and fascination, blending fact and fiction.

🎬 The Last Track – Oscar Sanchez, USA
A porcelain fox runs through a peaceful forest, only to be shattered by human threat.
Oscar Sanchez a graduate in Graphic Design and as a self-taught AI enthusiast, he combines technology with cinematic craft to highlight urgent environmental themes. "The Last Track" is his debut short, emphasizing the fragility of Darwin’s foxes and the devastating effects of human actions on vulnerable species.

🎬 Door to Tomorrow – Junghwi (중휘) Souk (석), South Korea
A man discovers a mysterious door revealing the life he has always dreamed of - only to realize the importance of the present.
Junghwi Souk, based in Seoul, crafts narratives that blend mystery, metaphor, and emotional depth. In "Door to Tomorrow", he explores the paradox of a generation living for the future while neglecting today, using the "door" as a symbolic device for time and reflection.

These films show that AI is not just a tool - it’s a new language for storytelling, enabling filmmakers to explore imagination, emotion, and meaning in unprecedented ways.

Screening & Awards – October 25 at 12:00, Kino Artis, Tallinn, Estonia
Free entry!
Reserve your seat here: https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

15/10/2025

🎬 First International Short Film

Short films are often where cinema breathes most freely - where stories are told with honesty, courage, and no need for spectacle.
In this category, filmmakers from around the world explore themes of loss, hope, imagination, and human connection - each through a lens shaped by their unique culture and experience.

🎬 Together – Ronny Tanvir, Bangladesh
A heartfelt story of friendship - one friend giving courage to another during a difficult time.
Ronny Tanvir, a filmmaker from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, tells stories about everyday people and emotional connections. Together reminds us that true strength often comes from shared kindness and empathy.

🎬 TATA – Elias Stanković, Germany
A daughter spends an endless night beside her recently deceased father. Between love and fear, silence becomes the loudest sound.
Elias Stanković, a 20-year-old German filmmaker with Serbian and Turkish roots, grew up between cultures, confronting both the beauty and the weight of belonging. His films merge poetic imagery with emotional honesty - honoring traditions while questioning them. TATA is a deeply personal reflection on grief, motherhood, and the quiet power of letting go.

🎬 Golden – Gabriel Simone, USA
After a breakup, a young man buys a gold tooth, believing it might change his life.
Gabriel Simone grew up in Philadelphia surrounded by classic cinema - from Humphrey Bogart to Audrey Hepburn - and taught himself filmmaking through his passion for movies. Now based in Los Angeles, he blends old-school storytelling with modern introspection. Golden is a subtle story about identity, self-worth, and the fragile hope that something small can transform everything.

🎬 Sunny-Man – Sandeep Reddy Sama, India
Six-year-old Sunny dreams of a Spiderman school bag. When his parents can’t afford it, he and his imaginary superhero set out to earn the money themselves.
Sandeep Reddy Sama is a self-taught filmmaker with a background in computer science. He explores both tender, human dramas and lighthearted stories that carry emotional depth. Sunny-Man captures childhood resilience and imagination - the ability to face disappointment with quiet courage.

These films remind us that storytelling knows no borders - it’s a universal language of emotion, memory, and meaning.

Screening & Awards - October 25 at 12:00, Kino Artis, Tallinn, Estonia
Free entry!
Reserve your seat here: https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

14/10/2025

🎬 First International Short Film | Teachers as Producers

It’s inspiring to see how teachers and adults find time for creativity — in this case, animation.
Animation is one of the most accessible forms of art for children, and when teachers learn what fascinates kids, they connect more deeply with both creativity and learning itself.

This category features short films made by children and their mentors from different countries:

🎬 We Are Humans – students from Porto, Portugal. A heartfelt reflection on what it means to be human.
🎬 Scavenger – 12 children (ages 9–12), Belgium. What happens when a strict teacher takes charge of the whole school?
🎬 One Day in the Forest – preschoolers (ages 4–6), Serbia. Learning from an early age to love and protect our planet.
🎬Dantino on a Mission – “Maddalena di Canossa” Middle School, Italy. A cosmic journey to rediscover humanity’s core values - peace, love, and justice.
🎬 I'm bored – 12 children, Belgium. Little Wolf’s vacation turns into a touching mission from his grandmother.

Screening & Awards – October 25 at 12:00, Kino Artis, Tallinn, Estonia
Free entry!
https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

13/10/2025

🎬 First Estonia Short Film

Three short films from Estonia — three visions of freedom, fear, and self-discovery.

"What Next?" – Alice J.
A group of friends never quite makes it to the concert — but they never give up either. A lighthearted story about friendship, music, and finding joy no matter what.

"Verse" – Vladislav Popchenko
A legendary hacker of the metaverse faces his greatest challenge — breaking free from the system and from himself. A philosophical sci-fi story about freedom and awareness.

"Embrace from the Abyss" – Shara Arus
A young scientist is haunted by a dark force born from her own creation. A psychological journey into fear and inner shadows.

These films capture the pulse of a new generation — honest, daring, and full of life.

Join us for the screening and awards ceremony on October 25 at 12:00 at Kino Artis!
Free entry!
Reserve your spot here: https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

12/10/2025

🎬 First International Animation Film

ENG
We are excited to present short animated films from around the world, created by students, adult workshop participants, and independent authors. Each film tells a small story, showcases a unique technique, and offers a fresh perspective on life.

🎬 "The Five-Second Rule" - a pixilation short film by the student collective Invisible Friends from Armenia.
The film plays with the well-known “five-second rule”: supposedly food dropped on the floor is safe to eat if picked up within five seconds. The creators humorously explore this self-deception, reminding us that microbes don’t follow our imaginary rules.

🎬 "Enjoy your life" (Camera-etc, Belgium)
A succession of seemingly unrelated scenes that, in the end, show how everything in life is connected. Made by adult workshop participants in 2022–2023. In the credits: “fait à la main et avec amour” - handmade and with love.

🎬 "The Birds" - a personal project by Christel Hortz, dedicated to her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
Christel is a trained social worker, passionate about words and visual storytelling. She learned video and audio editing, graphic design, and attended short courses. In 2021, she discovered animation during a Camera-etc adult workshop. In 2022, she responded to the MiCROFiLM call, creating a mixed-technique animation - her first personal animated project.

These films show that animation is not only about technique, but also a language of feelings, ideas, and memories.

Join us for the screening and awards ceremony on October 25 at 12:00 at Kino Artis!
Reserve a free spot for yourself and a friend here: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

RUS
Мы рады представить короткометражные анимационные фильмы со всего мира, созданные студентами, взрослыми участниками творческих мастерских и независимыми авторами. Каждый фильм - маленькая история, уникальная техника и свежий взгляд на жизнь.

🎬 "The Five-Second Rule" – короткометражка в технике пиксиляции от студенческого коллектива Invisible Friends из Армении.
Фильм обыгрывает известное поверье о «правиле пяти секунд»: якобы еду, упавшую на пол, можно безопасно съесть, если поднять её в течение пяти секунд. Авторы с юмором исследуют этот самообман, напоминая, что микробы не следуют нашим воображаемым правилам.

🎬 "Enjoy your life" (Camera-etc, Бельгия)
Последовательность сцен, которые кажутся разрозненными, но в итоге показывают, как всё в жизни связано. Создано взрослыми участниками воркшопа в 2022–2023 году. В титрах указано: «fait à la main et avec amour» - вручную и с любовью.

🎬 "The Birds" - личный проект Кристель Хортц, посвящённый её матери, страдающей болезнью Альцгеймера.
Кристель - социальный работник по образованию, увлечённая словами и визуальными образами. Она самостоятельно изучала видео- и аудиомонтаж, графическое оформление и короткие образовательные курсы. В 2021 году на воркшопе Camera-etc она открыла для себя анимацию. В 2022 году Кристель откликнулась на вызов MiCROFiLM, создав фильм с использованием смешанных анимационных техник - её первый личный анимационный проект.

Эти фильмы показывают, что анимация - это не только техника, но и язык чувств, идей и воспоминаний.

Приглашаем вас на показ и церемонию награждения 25 октября в 12:00 в Кино Артис!
Забронируйте бесплатное место для себя и друга здесь: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

EST
Meil on hea meel esitleda lühianimafilme üle kogu maailma, mille autoriteks on üliõpilased, täiskasvanute töötoa osalejad ja sõltumatud loojad. Iga film jutustab väikese loo, kasutab unikaalset tehnikat ja pakub värsket vaatenurka elule.

🎬 "The Five-Second Rule" - pixilatsioon-tehnikas lühifilm Armeenia üliõpilaste kollektiivilt Invisible Friends.
Film mängib tuntud “viie sekundi reegliga”: kui toit kukub põrandale, võib seda süüa, kui see üles korjatakse viie sekundi jooksul. Autorid uurivad seda enesepettust huumoriga, tuletades meelde, et mikroobid meie kujuteldavaid reegleid ei järgi.

🎬 "Enjoy your life" (Camera-etc, Belgia)
Jada näiliselt seotud mittevastavaid stseene, mis lõpuks näitavad, kuidas kõik elus on omavahel seotud. Valmistatud täiskasvanud töötoa osalejate poolt 2022–2023. Aastal. Tööde lõpus on kirjas: “fait à la main et avec amour” - käsitsi ja armastusega.

🎬 "The Birds" - Kristel Hortzi isiklik projekt, pühendatud tema emale, kes põeb Alzheimeri tõbe.
Kristel on koolitatud sotsiaaltöötaja, kirglik sõnade ja visuaalse jutustamise vastu. Ta õppis iseseisvalt video- ja heli montaaži, graafilist kujundust ning osales lühikursustel. 2021. aastal avastas ta Camera-etc täiskasvanute töötoas animatsiooni. 2022. aastal vastas ta MiCROFiLM üleskutsele, luues segatehnikas animatsiooni - tema esimese isikliku animafilmi.

Need filmid näitavad, et animatsioon ei ole ainult tehnika, vaid ka tunnete, ideede ja mälestuste keel.

Kutsume sind 25. oktoobril kell 12:00 Kino Artises toimuvale seansile ja auhinnatseremooniale!
Broneeri tasuta koht endale ja sõbrale siin: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

10/10/2025

First International Short Film | Teachers as Authors

The Teachers as Authors category highlights a unique and inspiring group of filmmakers: educators who, despite not having formal degrees in film, channel their passion for cinema into creating meaningful works. For these authors, teaching is their primary profession, yet their dedication to storytelling allows them to merge their educational expertise with the art of filmmaking. This category celebrates creativity, commitment, and the courage to explore the cinematic medium outside of traditional industry pathways.

Short Films in the 2025 Selection:

🎬 All About Moms' Car | Author: Esra Özcan
Esra Özcan holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's in instructional curriculum, and a doctorate in primary education from Eskişehir Osmangazi and Anadolu Universities. Currently, she lectures at TED University. While her professional life revolves around teaching, her lifelong passion has always been cinema. Esra’s educational and cinematic expertise intersect in her debut short film, which unfolds in a hospital waiting room.

The film portrays two sisters dealing with a paralyzed mother. The younger sister, a teacher, handles household duties while the older sister, married and financially secure, returns to the city when their mother’s condition worsens. A heated argument over a car purchased for their mother reveals long-held tensions. Yet, the climax never actually occurs—the confrontation is imagined, highlighting unspoken emotions and suppressed truths.

🎬 The First Image Of The World | Author: François Giard
François Giard, an Associate Professor at Université Laval, leads the Master’s program in design with thesis and founded the Art and Science of Animation program. With a background in electrotechnics and art history, he has worked extensively in visual effects and CGI, and now explores human cognition and biases toward images in his filmmaking.

In The First Image Of The World, François experiments with AI-generated imagery to question the origin and impact of visual representations. The short docufiction features thinkers like Schopenhauer, Kant, and McLuhan as it examines the first image of the world. The film, in French, German, and Spanish with English subtitles, blends rigorous academic research with creative cinematic storytelling.

Why this category matters:
These films exemplify that a career in education can coexist with a love for cinema. The authors are not trained filmmakers, yet they demonstrate remarkable skill, imagination, and dedication. Their work proves that meaningful cinema can emerge from passion, insight, and the unique perspectives of those shaping young minds every day.

Come watch the films; perhaps your film will be in our program soon!
https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

09/10/2025

The Teachers as Authors category celebrates educators who, without formal film training, create meaningful cinema. Their primary profession is teaching, yet their passion for storytelling allows them to explore complex narratives and experiment with the medium.

Featured Films:

All About Moms' Car by Esra Özcan: A younger sister, a teacher, cares for her paralyzed mother while family tensions surface over a car. The imagined confrontation reveals unspoken emotions, blending everyday life with cinematic depth.

The First Image Of The World by François Giard: Using AI-generated imagery, this docufiction explores the origin of images and human perception, featuring thinkers like Schopenhauer and Kant.

Your call — will you be standing or sitting when the winner is announced?
First Film | International Festival invites you: https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

On October 25 at 12:00, at ARTIS Cinema, there will be a screening of the best films of the First Film | International Festival

08/10/2025

Estonia Short Film | Teenagers

The Estonia Short Film | Teenagers category showcases the creativity, imagination, and unique perspectives of young filmmakers aged 14–18. These films highlight how teenage authors explore storytelling, emotion, humor, and social commentary through diverse cinematic approaches.

Short films:

🎬 The Face In Shards by Karina Devadze: A poignant story about a teenager with a face made of broken shards, exploring identity, vulnerability, and the redeeming power of a mother’s love.

🎬 Agent VV by Artur Reinsalu: A playful animated tale in which a worm steals an apple, faces a series of unexpected challenges, crashes into a pole, and ultimately is eaten by a crow, demonstrating humor and inventive storytelling.

🎬 Advertising Very Useful Things by a group of young authors: A satirical and imaginative take on advertising, presenting useful but entirely non-existent products, showcasing the authors’ wit and creativity.

This category demonstrates the extraordinary talent of teenage filmmakers in Estonia, reflecting their ability to combine personal vision with cinematic experimentation.

Your call — will you be standing or sitting when the winner is announced?
First Film | International Festival invites you: https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

On October 25 at 12:00, at ARTIS Cinema, there will be a screening of the best films of the First Film | International Festival

08/10/2025

International Short Film | Teenagers

Today we’d like to introduce you to the nominees in this category. Two teenagers -two debut films - two unique perspectives on cinema.

🎬 Running Away - Dari Justin
The story of a 13-year-old boy who decides to run away, but instead discovers something greater - memories of childhood and unbreakable bonds.

🎬 Once upon a time... at a Gas Station - Pola Forlicz (Poland)
Neon lights, the night, and a mystery at an abandoned gas station. The first work of a 17-year-old director inspired by Tarantino and the atmosphere of pop culture.

Both films offer a fresh, sincere look at the language of cinema through the eyes of teenagers. Who will win? We’ll find out on October 25 at Kino Artis .
Reserve your spot https://forms.gle/AShQyvzk3aXTpxnEA

07/10/2025

ENG
A few weeks before the First Film | International Festival, the studio and Artis Cinema are buzzing with work.
Film selection, communication with authors from all over the world, correspondence with the jury, posters and trailers, planning the awards ceremony – this is the real "festival kitchen."

We are doing everything so that on October 25 the audience in Tallinn will be the first to see the films of emerging authors from different countries.

Reserve a free seat for yourself and a friend here: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

RUS
За несколько недель до First Film | International Festival в студии и в кинотеатре Artis кипит работа.
Отбор фильмов, общение с авторами со всего мира, переписка с жюри, афиши и трейлеры, планирование церемонии награждения - это та самая «кухня фестиваля».

Мы делаем всё, чтобы 25 октября зрители в Таллине первыми увидели фильмы начинающих авторов из разных стран.

Забронируйте бесплатное место для себя и друга здесь: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

EST
Mõni nädal enne First Film | International Festival’i käib stuudios ja Artise kinos vilgas töö.
Filmide valik, suhtlus autoritega üle kogu maailma, kirjavahetus žüriiga, plakatid ja treilerid, auhinnatseremoonia planeerimine – see ongi festivali “köök.”

Teeme kõik selleks, et 25. oktoobril näeksid Tallinna vaatajad esimestena noorte autorite filme erinevatest riikidest.

Broneeri tasuta koht endale ja sõbrale siin: https://fb.me/e/58FOgNu9T

First Film International Festival

19/10/2025

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14/10/2025

13/10/2025

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