The Last Day/Paskutinė diena

In this witty short that mixes the sardonic with the slapstick, everything is normal in director Klaudja Matvejevaite’s neat little suburb, except for one thing—all the residents know when they are going to die. With that in mind, ticklish diplomacy ensues when neighbors have an eye on someone else’s belongings, whether it’s a favorite sweater or what’s on the shopping list for supper. (24 min. Lithuania, 2017. In Lithuanian with English subtitles)

Three August Days/Kolm päeva augustis

Directed by Madi Läne as a graduate thesis, this short depicts the stop-and start encounter between an Estonian girl and a Russian boy during the Soviet occupation, where a bottle of Coke becomes an arena for developing their relationship. (20 min. Estonia, 2018. In Estonian with English subtitles)

 

 

 

Wild Game/Jahiloom

Fifteen-year-old Liis has a bad feeling about joining other teenagers for a hunting trip in the woods, but she is pressured into going along, most of all by a boy for whom she has feelings. In this translucently photographed short by Jeronimo Sarmiento, her misgivings are confirmed, leading her down a path that ensures that she will never again be bullied into anything. (25 min. Estonia, 2017. In Estonian with English subtitles)

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Klaudija Matvejevaitė (The Last Day)

Klaudija Matvejevaitė (b. 1995) studied graphic arts at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts in 2002-2014. Since 2014, Matvejevaitė is studying filmmaking at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Matvejevaitė currently works as director and casting director in film and television.

Madli Lääne (Three August Days)

Estonian filmmaker Madli Lääne has directed several documentaries and shorts. Her films have screened in over 50 international film festivals, including Palm Springs ShortFest, Berlinale and SXSW. Three August Days is her MFA Thesis Film from University of Texas at Austin. The film won the Audience Award at IFF Boston and the CIVIS Media Prize as the Best Fiction in Berlin. Madli is currently working as a lecturer in Baltic Film and Media School and as a freelance film editor.

Jerónimo Sarmiento (Wild Game)

Jerónimo Sarmiento started his career studying Filmmaking and TV at UNAL (Colombia, 2010), took film courses in Image and Sound Design at UBA (Argentina, 2007) and finished his Masters in Fiction Film Directing at KinoEyes MA: Universidade Lusofona (Portugal), Screen Academy Scotland (UK) and BFM (Estonia). His professional career has been focused as director, photographer and cinematographer for short films, commercials, documentaries and music videos, which have been produced in Colombia and Europe. His short films have been part of official selection in film festivals in Europe, Latin America and Russia. After his last short film Wild Game, he is writing his first feature film to start development in 2018. Since 2009, he has focused his work as founder and creative director in the Colombia-based company LotusLink Creative House.

2018 New York Baltic Film Festival

The three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been producing motion pictures since 1910. While not as well-known as those in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, their industries have met challenges in one era or another that ultimately only galvanized their creative ambitions for features, documentaries, and animation shorts. Through the screening of both the latest productions and selected classics, the inaugural 2018 New York Baltic Film Festival offers an unprecedented opportunity to see the best in northern European film making.

The New York Baltic Film Festival is presented by Scandinavia House and organized by the Consulate General of Estonia, Consulate General of Lithuania and Consulate of Latvia in New York. Programming support is from the Estonian Film Institute, National Film Center of Latvia, and Lithuanian Film Center. Funding for the festival is courtesy of governments of the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and by the generous donations of members of the Baltic community in New York. Additional support to the festival is from the Lithuanian Cultural Institute, the Consulate General of Finland in New York, and the American Scandinavian Foundation.

 

1539968400

1539973800

FRIOctober 19—5 PM

$12 ($7 ASF Members)
Series Pass $90 ($55 ASF Members)