FILMLINK – Strengthening regional film development in Tartu and Liepāja

Project partners

• Lead Partner – Tartu Centre for Creative Industries / Tartu Film Fund (Estonia)
• Project Partner – Foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027” (Latvia)

Project duration

October 2025 – July 2026

Budget

Total budget: € 87, 357.50
ERDF support: € 69,886

Project overview

The FILMLINK project strengthens regional film development in South Estonia and the Liepāja region by fostering cooperation between two film territories. The initiative focuses on enhancing the professional capacity of regional film funds, improving data-based decision-making, and creating stronger cross-border film communities.

Main activities

• Case study initiative
  Both regions jointly develop and test a methodology for measuring the economic, cultural, and social impact of selected film productions. The process includes project selection, data collection, analysis, and preparation of a joint impact report.

• Capacity building and professional training
  Partners organize an online training for film fund/film commission professionals led by experts from European successful film regions. Participants will learn how regional funds attract productions, engage local communities, and measure impact.

• Experience exchange and networking
  Partners conduct 2 mutual exchange visits and workshops to share knowledge and coordinate project activities, strengthening collaboration between Tartu and Liepaja film funds professionals.

• Communication and dissemination
  Project results, and insights will be made publicly available through the partners’ websites and social media channels, highlighting the benefits of regional film production and cooperation. Location databases will be updated.

Expected results

• Strengthened professional skills and institutional capacity of both film funds.
• A practical impact measurement framework for assessing regional film production outcomes.
• Closer cooperation between film professionals in Tartu and Liepaja.
• A sustainable basis for continued collaboration, including a cross-border film community workshop in Tartu in spring 2027, where both regions share post-project developments and explore new cooperation opportunities.

FILMLINK is co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme 2021–2027.