The Fifth Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns in 2022 as a hybrid festival with both in-person and virtual screenings on November 2-13! From November 2 through 6, in-person screenings and events will take place at Scandinavia House in New York, presented in accordance with new COVID-19 safety guidance and protocols. Following the success of last year’s festival, the online version will once again be available to viewers all across the U.S. via the Elevent streaming platform November 5-13.

On November 4, see the North American premiere of Sandra Gets a Job (dir. Kaupo Kruusiauk, Estonia, 2021, Narrative), followed by a film Q&A with director Kaupo Kruusiauk. The film talk will be recorded and available to stream with virtual tickets, as well as via YouTube here. Sandra (Mari Abel) is a Doctor of Physics who unexpectedly loses her job in research. Searching for a new position seems easy at first, but soon turns into a tragi-comic farce as Sandra meets a long line of odd characters — from grotesque entrepreneurs to cocky start-up managers — on the endless job interviews she now has to go on. The usually careful and thoughtful Sandra finds herself having to sink or swim in a world of hypocrisy and strange power structures. As pressure from her parents —  both successful scientists in their own right— mounts, she is suddenly faced with the reality of having to adapt in order to secure employment, or remain true to herself.

Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance online at the link above; film screenings will take place in Victor Borge Hall.

Virtual screenings of this film will take place from November 5-13. To read more and purchase virtual passes, please click here.

Director Kaupo Kruusiauk studied film direction at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School. He also studied at FAMU in Prague and has a diploma in stage directing from the Estonian Theater and Music Academy. Kruusiauk has previously directed numerous short and documentary films. Sandra Gets a Job is his feature film debut. Kruusiauk is currently a lecturer in film at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School.

Established in 2018, the New York Baltic Film Festival is presented and organized by Scandinavia House in collaboration with the Consulate General of Estonia, Consulate General of Lithuania, and Daris Delins, former Honorary Consul for Latvia in New York and founder of the festival.

Financial support for the festival comes from the Estonian Film Institute, National Film Center of Latvia, Lithuanian Film Center, and the Edhard Corporation with additional sponsorship by the Estonian American National Council, Lithuanian Culture Institute, Lithuanian Foundation, Consulate General of Estonia in New York, Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C., Permanent Mission of Latvia to the U.N. in New York, Consulate General of Lithuania in New York, American Latvian Association, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the PBLA Culture Fund, and Sondra Litvaitytė.