FILMIST Stuudio: New York
- ellenvalter
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Update #259
Estonian Arts Centre's FILMIST Stuudio Brings Estonian Youth Filmmaking to New York
August 2025 saw FILMIST Stuudio head to New York for its first international installation, expanding the Estonian Arts Centre initiative that was started with Tallinn's Kinomaja Filmikool (Film school) and Ruudi Productions in 2024.
Twenty-six teens participated in the week-long "FILMIST Stuudio: New York" program—10 from Estonia and 16 from the New York area—joining forces to learn about filmmaking and to capture stories through film.
While past FILMIST Stuudios (read up on the March Break camp in Toronto and watch the archival project of the Vancouver stories here) have focused on weighty themes such as the first-hand recollections of the 1944 escape from the Soviets' return to Estonia, this year’s project highlighted the memories of New York Estonian School graduates and the history of that foundational community institution.
What makes FILMIST Stuudio unique is its commitment to moving beyond the expected. Each edition seeks out intersections where youth perspectives meet collective memory, allowing participants to engage not only with technical skills but with the deeper narratives that shape our Estonian diaspora communities. In this way, FILMIST Stuudio pushes the boundaries of traditional film education, creating a platform where creativity, heritage, and identity are explored side by side, in this case together with teens from Estonia.
For two days, participants from Eesti and the New York area worked side by side to film on location in New York City.
"In addition to an intense film program during the school year in Tallinn, this opportunity for students to travel abroad and apply learnings with Estonians on the other side of the ocean enriches the film program immeasurably," noted Liina Särkinen, head of Kinomaja Filmikool, and film producer
The students and mentors then moved to Long Island Estonian House to start with the post-production process. The change of pace that came with the move to Long Island also brought opportunities to connect with Estonian culture in other ways, such as learning folk dance under the spirited instruction of David Truusa, with Kertu-Liis Õnnis providing lively accordion accompaniment.
Check out the "Behind the Scenes", produced and edited by the participants as a fun diary of their time together::
The intense week was made possible by a dedicated team of many local volunteers, led by NY's indefatigable Merike Barborak, who cheerfully managed logistics across both venues and the massive visioning required to make the Estonian School theme come true.
"One clear message that came through from each film interviewee, was that the friendships made in Estonian school are the ones that last a lifetime," said Merike, and continued, "what a joy it was to witness the film project particiapnts forging those very same friendships through this deeply meaningful project."
Maria Nigul provided catering, Uno Habakukk supported with facilities on Long Island, and Ruudi Productions provided professional equipment and guidance on its use. Filmmaking mentorship came from Estonian Arts Centre's Ellen Valter, Kinomaja Filmikool's Liina Särkinen and Heilika Pikkov, joined by Hedy Läets, Ashley Marciano, Nick Morsillo and Alejandro Ruiz Birke from Ruudi Productions.
Sponsors for this sort of undertaking are those who believe in the power of new ideas and approaches - thanks go to those on both sides of the Atlantic: the project is under the aegis of Estonian Arts Centre, with the staunch support of, Estonian Students' Fund in USA, Estonian American National Council, National Archives of Estonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Integration Foundation, Estonian House in New York, Kinomaja Filmikool, and Ruudi Productions.
On September 23rd, the New York Estonian House hosted the screening of the five engaging and multidimensional short films produced in FILMIST Stuudio: New York. The event also featured a folk dance workshop, rounding off a week of intensive creative collaboration.
Estonian Arts Centre's Ellen Valter summed up this first international effort for the FILMIST Stuudio project noting that "it showcases the vitality of Estonian youth and diaspora connections, proving that storytelling remains a powerful spark that strengthens cultural ties and keeps younger generations engaged."
With three projects under our belts, FILMIST Stuudio is ready to set sail to the next diaspora communities to engage Estonian youth with the stories that surround and inform their traditions and norms - reach out to Estonian Arts Centre at estonianartscentre@estoniancentre.ca if this could be your community!
Stay tuned for the films themselves to come to a screen near you!
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