Ten Nordic and Baltic Rising Actors Selected for Black Nights Stars Showcase in Tallinn

Ten emerging actors from the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region have been chosen for the 10th edition of the Black Nights Stars talent showcase, scheduled to run during the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). The initiative forms part of the Discovery Campus at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event and marks its milestone tenth anniversary by expanding applications to include Iceland and Norway for the first time.

Organizers reported that over 200 applications were submitted through the casting platform Etalenta. The selected participants represent a diverse range of projects spanning film, television, and theater, including Sámi-language dramas, regional cinema, international streaming productions, and independent films.

Program Details and Selection Jury

During the event in Tallinn, the participating actors are expected to engage with international casting directors, talent agents, producers, and directors through workshops and discussions designed to build global industry connections.

• Program Dates: Scheduled for November 16–21.
• Festival Context: Part of the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
• Recognition: Participants receive the Black Nights Stars Discovery Campus ICDA Award.

An international jury of casting directors and talent agents selected the final ten actors. The panel included Pauline Haansson (Sweden), Nina Haun (Germany), Yngvill Kolset Haga (Norway), Anders Nygaard (Denmark), Lana Veenker (United States), alongside talent agents Janey van Ierland (Netherlands) and Richard Cook (United Kingdom).

Selected Rising Talents

The 2026 showcase features ten up-and-coming performers from across the region:

• Joonas Koff (Estonia): Known for roles in *The Fencer*, *Sisu 2: Road to Revenge*, and *Our Erika*.
• Rūta Jonikaitė (Lithuania): Recognized for *Night Screening* and *Victor, or Power to the Children*.
• Gunnbjörn Gunnarsson (Iceland): Noted for writing, producing, and starring in the short film *Showers*.
• Mina Dale (Norway): Appeared in *The Cycle of Love*, *Fuckings Bygda*, and *Everything You Love*.
• Jarmo Reha (Estonia): Starred in *Mo Hunt* and *Mo Papa*, winning an Estonian Film and TV Award.
• Hubert Miłkowski (Poland): Featured in *The Woods*, *Operation Hyacinth*, and *Braty*.
• Kathy Etoa (Switzerland/Germany): Known for *WaPo Berlin*, *Supermad*, and *23,000 Lives*.
• Samuel Kujala (Finland): Starred in *A Light That Never Goes Out* and *Nerd: DragonSlayer666*.
• Estrid Gustafsson-Fjellheim (Sweden/Norway): Recognized for roles in *Håll andan!*, *Fungus*, and *Oro jaska – Shut Up*.
• Eduards Johansons (Latvia): Featured in *Despair*, *The Year Before the War*, and *Ecstasis*.

Practical Implications and Verification

The showcase aims to provide emerging regional talent with direct access to global industry professionals. Audiences and industry members can verify official program details, schedules, and further announcements by visiting the official Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) or Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event web portals.