Black Nights Stars: What You Need to Know About the 10 Up-and-Comers in the Tallinn Spotlight
Black Nights Stars has selected 10 emerging actors for its 2026 showcase in Tallinn, held from 16 to 21 November alongside the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. The programme connects talent from the Baltic Sea region and Nordic countries with international casting directors, agents, producers and filmmakers, aiming to develop their skills and create industry opportunities.
More than 200 applications were submitted, with Iceland and Norway invited to apply for the first time. An international jury of casting directors and talent agents selected performers whose work ranges from Sámi-language drama and Baltic cinema to streaming productions and independent films. The article introduces the actors, including Estonian Joonas Koff, known for The Fencer and Sisu 2, and Lithuanian Rūta Jonikaitė, nominated for a young actress award in 2024.
In short
- Ten emerging actors will take part in Black Nights Stars in Tallinn.
- The 2026 selection drew more than 200 applications.
- Iceland and Norway were included for the first time.
Explained simply
Tallinn Black Nights is a film festival in Estonia, and Black Nights Stars is a showcase for emerging performers held alongside it. The programme brings actors from countries around the Baltic Sea and the Nordic region together with people who cast, represent and produce films.
For actors, these contacts can lead to advice, auditions and work in other countries. The showcase also draws attention to the varied screen work being made across the region, from local-language films to productions for streaming services.
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