The Boston Baltic Film Festival returns to Boston on Friday, February 27 at 6:30 pm, opening its eighth season with a strong Estonian presence and the North American premiere of “Fränk”, one of Estonia’s most talked-about recent films.
The screening takes place at the historic Emerson Paramount Center, where Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute, will introduce the film and welcome audiences to the festival’s opening night.
Festivities begin earlier in the afternoon at 4:30 pm with Meet the Baltic Film-makers, a panel discussion moderated by Boston-based film critic and writer Erin Trahan. The twelve-member panel brings together filmmakers from across the Baltic region, including Estonian director Tõnis Pill (“Fränk”), Meel Paliale (“Rolling Papers”), production designer Jasmin Kulagina (“Rolling Papers”), and filmmaker Rain Tolk (“Aurora”). The conversation offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear directly from the creative voices shaping contemporary Baltic cinema.
Following the screening of “Fränk”, guests are invited to the Opening Night Reception at 9:00 pm in the Paramount Theater’s elegant Art Deco lounge. The catered evening brings together filmmakers, festival organizers, sponsors, members of the Baltic community, and the honorary consuls of Estonia and Latvia. Among the honored guests is Madli-Liis Parts, the Estonian Cultural Attaché from New York City.
The in-person festival continues at the Paramount Theater through March 1, presenting nine Baltic films. Saturday’s program features “Rolling Papers” (Pikad paberid), Estonia’s official submission for the Academy Awards, while Sunday highlights “Aurora”, starring acclaimed actress Maarja Johanna Mägi.
The festival then moves online, extending its reach across North America with a three-week virtual program from March 2 through March 23, featuring twenty-five films. More information about both the in-person and virtual programs can be found at www.bostonbalticfilm.org .
The Estonians on the BBFF committee are Anne-Reet Annunziata, Marilem Ferentinos, Nele Kaps, and Jonathan Vilms. Festival supporters include ERKÜ, the Boston Estonian Society, the Estonian Integration Institute, the Estonian Film Institute, and the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
Marilem Ferentinos
