Estonia’s natural beauty and cultural richness have long inspired creative work. Now, with the support of two regional film funds—the Estonian Islands Film Fund and the Pärnumaa Film Fund – the country is taking deliberate steps to turn its diverse landscapes into active film production hubs.
Pärnumaa Film Fund– New Energy on Estonia’s West Coast
Launched in 2023, the Pärnumaa Film Fund is the newest of Estonia’s regional film initiatives. Fully financed by the municipalities of Pärnumaa, the fund supports professional audiovisual productions, from feature films and documentaries, to animations and short films.
Interest is growing rapidly. Pärnu City, the region's cultural centre, is also in the process of joining the initiative, reflecting the fund’s rising importance.
“Naturally, the local municipalities of Pärnumaa are interested in supporting filmmaking through the film fund to showcase our magnificent landscapes and unique locations to the world. At the same time, the economic aspect is also important to us – productions supported through the film fund contribute to local entrepreneurship. And help foster the development of our communities and living environment,” says Erik Reinhold, a Member of the Board of the Association of Local Authorities of Pärnu County.
What makes Pärnumaa especially attractive is its remarkable visual variety. From the bogs and forests of Soomaa and Matsalu National Parks, to the nostalgic atmosphere of Sindi’s historic textile mills; the region offers backdrops for both historical and contemporary stories. Locations such as the ancient village of Kurese, the Soontaga hill fort, and manors like Lihula, Tõstamaa, and Voltveti, provide authentic settings rarely found elsewhere. Modern options include the Porsche Ring racetrack and the abandoned Tootsi factory complex.
Pärnumaa has already been a filming location. The historical drama The Poll Diaries, co-produced with Estonia and starring Tambet Tuisk – who hails from Pärnu – was partly filmed in Varbla and Matsiranna. The area’s long, untouched coastline– which is rare in Europe – provided a significant advantage. “This became a decisive factor specifically for our film production,” says producer Riina Sildos.
Besides its landscapes, Pärnumaa provides a film-friendly infrastructure, including good accommodation, catering, and transport, along with locals who are open and supportive of film crews.
Although the fund is new, the region already has a place in Estonia’s film history. In 2009, Pärnumaa hosted one of Estonia’s first major international co-productions, The Poll Diaries, and was also the setting for one of Estonia’s earliest narrative films, Bear Hunt in Pärnu County (1914).
Estonian Islands Film Fund – Off the Mainland, Into the Story
Across the sea in Saare County, the Estonian Islands Film Fund has been operating since 2019. With a €26,000 budget for 2025, it offers up to a 40% cash rebate on eligible production costs. Despite its small size, the fund has had a noticeable impact.
It has supported productions such as the Melchior the Apothecary trilogy and the Swedish-Finnish-Estonian co-production The Swedish Torpedo, directed by Frida Kempff.
“Shooting in Estonia was great, also at Saaremaa, as it delivers very diverse shooting opportunities. We always felt welcome wherever we came and problems that naturally always arise were easily solved. The story of The Swedish Torpedo is set in Sweden, Denmark and the UK, and we could find external location alternatives for all of this. Also, the crew was extraordinary. Everything was top-level and exceeded our expectations,” says producer Erik Andersson.
The islands combine isolation and accessibility. Saaremaa and Muhu are easy to reach by ferry or plane, yet offer a wide range of shooting environments: medieval castles, beaches, bogs, spa hotels, forests, and quiet small towns. This contrast allows for a variety of genres and periods to be filmed in a single area.
Production services are well developed, and local businesses – especially the well-regarded spa hotels – are experienced in hosting film crews.
“The Film Fund of Estonian Islands showcases Saaremaa’s unique nature and culture to filmmakers, inspiring them to discover new, previously unexplored filming locations and connecting them with local businesses and boosting the regional economy. Our support encourages film crews to choose Saaremaa, turning it into a stage for unforgettable stories,” says Rainer Paenurk, founder of the fund.
Two Regions, One Vision
The Pärnumaa and Estonian Islands Film Funds represent a national effort to decentralise film production beyond Tallinn. These funds aren’t just funding mechanisms—they support regional development and local economies, and help introduce Estonia’s lesser-known landscapes to the world.
They also open up new storytelling possibilities for international filmmakers in Northern Europe, offering authentic, accessible, and largely undiscovered cinematic locations.
The article is written by Eda Koppel and was published in Baltic Film Magazine 2/2025. Check the full edition here