Conference

Projecting Forward: Crafting the Next Scene in Baltic Filmmaking & Education

in collaboration with Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event 2023

15th of November, 2023,
Nordic Hotel Forum Tallinn and ONLINE

 

WATCH conference’s recording: HERE

 

In a world where the film reel is rolling towards technological advancements and novel ways of telling stories, the Baltic film industries find themselves at a crossroad, presenting new challenges not only on how we make films but also how we teach and include new talent.

 

In Projecting Forward, we take a look into Baltic academic and cinematic landscapes, examining roles, skills, and education in these film industries. The conference’s key questions include:

  • What are the skills needed for future filmmaking, and how to teach them?
  • How to synchronise film schooling provision, and film industry needs?
  • What kind of transversal skills are crucial in industry careers and how to assess them?
  • How much specialisation and how much generalisation is needed, and where is the sweet spot between them, both in education and in subsequent successful careers in the film industry? 

Projecting Forward seeks to cast a light on the symbiotic relationship between productions, set occupations, and education in three Baltic states.  Join us to discuss, and script the brighter future of Baltic cinema.

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PROGRAM

14:00 – 14:10 Welcome on behalf of FilmSkills project, Birgit Vilgats (Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts School)

14:10 – 14:35 Baltic Film Industry in a nutshell: overview of productions and international connections, Vejune Zemaityte  (Baltic Film, Media and Arts School)

Film industries in the Baltic countries are going through rapid changes. To understand who we are and with whom we collaborate, researcher Vejune Zemaityte will give an overview of productions and collaborations within Baltic states during the last years. 

14:35 – 15:00 Need of Film Professionals in the Era of Post-Cinema, Dāvis Sīmanis (Latvian Academy of Culture) 

In today’s ever-evolving cinematic landscape, often referred to as the ‘post-cinema’ era, the ongoing digital revolution has significantly reshaped filmmaking. This constant technological change requires an adaptable education system that can respond quickly to new industry challenges, including environmental sustainability and inclusivity. We need an educational framework that not only keeps up with technical advances but also embraces the diversity of voices in filmmaking. At the same time, we must find new ways to reorient and repurpose skills that have been affected by these technological shifts.

15:00 – 15:30 Occupation Descriptions and Educational Innovations: A FilmSkills Perspective, Rimante Daugelaite (Lithuanian Shorts), Birgit Rosenberg, (Baltic Film, Media and Arts School)

In this presentation, Rimante Daugelaite and Birgit Rosenberg will provide an overview of the research findings from the FilmSkills project: 30 occupation descriptions developed in collaboration with the Baltic states and the analysis of current film education systems in the Baltics. We will explore the current skills and expectations for working on a set. Additionally, we will examine the current state of film education and industry in the region and discuss the recommendations and opportunities for making film education and careers more diverse, flexible, and open.

15:30 – 15:50 Coffee break 

15:50 – 16:15  Show me your works! How to Assess Crew Members’ Readiness for Working on Set, Romanas Matulis (Crew United)

The increasing global demand for films and TV series requires the industry to use its human resources efficiently. And the Crew United platform is the perfect tool for such optimization, allowing each member to present themselves and their works to Europe’s largest network of film professionals, to upload and use data verified by experienced editors who are proficient in the local market, and to create and enhance new projects as well as their own careers.

16:15 – 17:00  Panel Discussion: Kickstarting and Fostering a Successful Career Path in the Film Industry, moderated by Vytautas Dambrauskas (Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy)

Launching a successful career path in the film industry goes beyond technical skills and formal education pathways. It also takes a lot of components to maintain and succeed in this industry. This panel discussion discusses these elements that are required to enter and launch a satisfying career in film. How to enhance the potential for a diverse group of individuals to flourish in their careers while contributing to the overall vitality of the industry?

Participants
Kęstutis Drazdauskas, producer / Artbox, Lithuania
Daiga Livčāne, producer / Latvian Academy of Culture
Maria Reinup, director / Estonia
Ula Beatričė Batisaitė, student / Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
Kreet Mauer, costume designer / Estonia



The conference is organised in the framework of FilmSkills project. FilmSkills is a joint project of Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Latvian Academy of Culture, Lithuanian Music and Theater Academy, Estonian Cinematographers Union and Lithuanian Shorts modernize and empower Baltic film education and professional skills. FilmSkills project is co-financed by European Union.