How to Find Money in Estonia

By EFI

Estonian Film Institute Programmes For Film Production

MAJORITY CO-PRODUCTION

Budget 2023: € 5,500,000

• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 800,000

• Subsidy of up to 70% of the budget

• 50% of the subsidy must be spent in Estonia

• Two application deadlines: April 18 and November 28, 2023

MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION

Budget 2023: € 600,000

• For producers from all over the world. Participation of an Estonian co-producer is necessary. Bilateral treaty not necessary

• Maximum subsidy for an Estonian co-producer: feature film and feature animation € 200,000; documentary € 60,000

• Subsidy of up to 70% of the Estonian part of the budget

• 100% of the subsidy must be spent in Estonia

• Estonian creative and production related participation in a project should meet the requirements of minority co-production grading table

• Two application deadlines: March 14 and September 19, 2023

• Decision in 40 days

Film Estonia Cash Rebate

Budget 2023: € 4,000,000

Film Estonia cash rebate is a production incentive supporting the incoming production of feature films, feature documentaries, animation films, animation series, high-end TV-drama and the post-production of all previously mentioned works. An application can be made for international production service or co-production to receive a cash rebate up to 30% on eligible production costs.

• Support intensity – 20%–30% of eligible costs

• Deadlines – open call

• Applicant – company registered in Estonia

• Recipient – foreign company

• Decision – in 30 days

• Auditing and payment – in 40 days

The scheme is open for:

• feature films with a budget of at least € 1 million; minimum local spend € 200,000

• feature documentary with a budget of at least € 200,000; minimum local spend € 70,000

• animation with a budget of at least € 250,000; minimum local spend € 70,000

• animation series with a budget of at least € 500,000; minimum local spend € 70,000 per series

• high-end TV-drama with a budget of at least € 200,000 per single episode; minimum local spend € 70,000 per series

• post-production; minimum local spend € 30,000

Recently supported films include: Tenet (GB/US), Memory of Water (FI), The Burial (GB), Kill the Child (US), Besa 2 (RS)

CONTACT:

Nele Paves, Film Commissioner nele@filmi.ee filmestonia.eu

Regional Film Funds

Tartu Film Fund

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2023: € 180,000

• Support intensity: up to 30%

• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in Tartu and the region of South-Estonia

• Support for the production of feature films, animations, tv-series, documentaries, short films

• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary

• Two application deadlines: April 30 and October 30, 2023

Recently supported films: Omerta 6/12 (FI/EE), Erna at War (EE/DK/BE /EE), Dawn of War (EE/FI/LV/LT), Where the Heart Is (EE), Melchior the Apothecary (EE/LV/LT/DE) Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (EE/FR/IS)

CONTACT: fund@tartufilmfund.ee tartufilmfund.ee

P Rnu County Film Fund

Type of fund: regional incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2023: € 40,000

• Support intensity: up to 25%

• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in the Pärnu County (except Pärnu and Kihnu municipality)

• Support for the production of feature films, animations, documentaries, short films

• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary

• No deadlines

CONTACT: Association of Local Authorities of Pärnu County pol@pol.parnumaa.ee parnumaa.ee/en/film-fund

VIRU FILM FUND

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2023: € 170,000

• Support intensity: up to 40%

• Objective: production of an audiovisual work in the Eastern region of Estonia.

• Support for the production of feature films, documentaries, TV-series, short films, music videos

• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary

• No deadlines, applications are accepted from February 10 to October 31

Recently supported films: Melchior the Apothecary (EE/LV/LT/DE), Omerta 6/12 (FI/EE), Dawn of War (EE/FI/LV/LT), Eternal Road (FI/SE/EE), Mihkel (IS/NO/EE), Mother (EE), Erik Stoneheart (EE/LU/LT/FI/LV/UA)

CONTACT: Piia Tamm piia.tamm@ivek.ee vff.ee

FILM FUND OF ESTONIAN ISLANDS

Type of fund: regional, incentive / cash rebate

• Budget 2023: € 27,705

• Support intensity: According to the project

• Objective: production of an audiovisual work on the islands of Saare County

• Support for the production of feature films, animations, tv-series, documentaries, short films and film education

• Participation of an Estonian production company is necessary

• No deadlines

Supported films: Melchior the Apothecary (EE/LV/DE), The Vacationers (EE)

CONTACT: Saaremaa Development Centre +372 452 0570 / filmifond@sasak.ee minusaaremaa.ee/en/projects/ film-fund-estonian-islands

The Cultural Endowment Of Estonia

Public agency that supports culture, including audiovisual art, and sport.

MAJORITY CO-PRODUCTION

Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 200,000.

MINORITY CO- PRODUCTION

• Participation of Estonian co-producer is necessary

• Financing for an Estonian co-producer the maximum subsidy is € 100,000

• There are four application deadlines: February 20, May 20, August 20 and November 20

Travel fast. With an area of just 45,227 km2 all corners of the country are only a couple of hours away

There’s space. Estonia is one of Europe’s least crowded countries

It’s green. 52 % of the country is forest, making it one of Europe’s greenest countries

Endless summer light. Due to its northern location, Estonia experiences the summertime “White Nights” phenomena, when the sun sets late and the night is dusk at most.

Lots of islands. 2,222 islands and islets

Period-friendly architecture. Medieval old towns, 1000 castles and manors dating back as far as the 13th century. Architecture from Stalinist classicism and soviet modernism.