Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival unveils TV Beats Screening Day lineup

A new era for TV Beats: Showcasing the best in Baltic and Nordic television

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is set to launch its inaugural TV Beats Screening Day on November 20, featuring a selection of high-end series from the Baltics, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and the Nordic region. This event aims to spotlight the crème de la crème of regional television, offering a platform for both local and global audiences to discover compelling new content.

The selected series: A blend of history, mystery, and drama

Operation Sabre: A gripping Serbian thriller

Operation Sabre, an eight-part crime drama from Serbia, delves into the real-life assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in 2003. Co-created and directed by Goran Stanković and Vladimir Tagic, this series has already garnered accolades at Canneseries and Brno’s Serial Killer festival. Produced by This and That Productions in collaboration with Bulgaria’s Agitprop, the show is set to captivate audiences with its intense narrative and stellar ensemble cast.

Mutiny: A tale of rebellion against the Soviet regime

Mutiny, a seven-part drama from Latvia, recounts the true story of a mutiny on a Soviet warship in 1975. Directed by Andrejs Ēķis and produced by Cinevilla Films, this series has already made waves on the Latvian platform TET. The show’s gripping portrayal of one man’s struggle against oppressive authorities promises to resonate with viewers worldwide.

A Wolfe’s Palate: A psychological drama with mystical elements

A Wolfe’s Palate is Lithuania’s most expensive series to date, featuring British actor Edward Holcroft and Finnish star Tommi Korpela. This six-part psychological drama, directed by Vėlyvis, blends crime and mysticism to create a unique viewing experience. Produced by Vilnius-based Kino-Kultas in collaboration with Finnish and German partners, the series is poised to be a commercial success.

Valhalla Project: A mystery thriller with a green message

Valhalla Project, a Finnish mystery thriller, is helmed by Juha Wuolijoki and produced by Snapper Films. The six-part series, recently picked up by Keshet International, features a multilingual cast including Sara Soulié and Alistair Brammer. With its environmental undertones, the show aims to engage audiences on multiple levels.

Von Fock: A light period crime drama

Von Fock, an Estonian period crime drama, is based on Ain Kütt’s crime novel “Detective von Fock.” Directed by Arun Tamm and produced by Zolba Productions, this four-part series promises to transport viewers to majestic Estonian manors and castles. The show will air across the Baltics, adding a touch of historical intrigue to the lineup.

Behind the scenes: Insights from the creators

The TV Beats Screening Day will not only showcase one episode from each series but also include case studies with key creatives and producers. This format aims to provide a deeper understanding of the creative processes and challenges involved in bringing these stories to life.

The evolution of TV Beats

Tiina Lokk, director of the Black Nights Film Festival, explained the rationale behind the new format: “Before COVID, we had evening sessions to promote upcoming shows. However, with evenings filled with networking events, we decided that a daytime format would offer a more focused showcase.”

Toomas Ili, head of content at Estonia’s leading platform Elisa, added, “Selecting the final five series was a challenging task. We reviewed over ten great series but had to narrow it down due to time constraints.”

The road ahead: Domestic premieres and international markets

All selected series are set to premiere domestically in 2025, except for “Mutiny,” which has already launched on the Latvian platform TET. These shows will also be featured at the upcoming Mipcom content market in Cannes, further expanding their reach.

A platform for regional success stories

Snežana van Houwelingen, producer of “Operation Sabre,” emphasized the importance of sharing success stories at industry events. “It’s crucial to highlight that regional shows have the potential to travel well internationally,” she said.

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