As filmmakers, we are acutely aware that the situation for our fellow-filmmakers in those countries will be markedly harder under the international boycott.
Hence, we appeal to you, Russian and Belarusian friends and filmmakers. Muster all your strength and creativity and act decisively against the inhuman actions of your leaders! We encourage you to take collective responsibility for the fate of your countries and nations.
We support all the filmmakers of Russia and Belarus who oppose the regimes of Putin and Lukashenko.
We are in close contact with our colleagues and praise the powerful appeal by Belarusian filmmakers who „strongly condemn Russian military aggression against Ukraine” and express their „outrage that the aggressor uses [their] territory to launch deadly missiles against Ukraine”.
Heroic people of Ukraine, friends and filmmakers! Your courageous fight against this evil as a nation is already phenomenal. This prolonged occupation and war have already changed the course of history and, in recent days, moved the heart and soul of the free world beyond imagining.
Estonian film community salutes our Ukrainian friends! We salute all of you who are fighting not only for your own freedom but also for the freedom of Europe.Слава Україні! Героям слава!
This call from Estonian filmmakers for a boycott is in line with similar decisions made by several countries, international organisations, US film studios, and the BBC, among others.
We ask all Estonian filmmakers to sign the Ukrainian Film Academy's petition to declare a boycott of Russian cinema: https://chng.it/GFywhGb4SX
The Estonian film industry is doing its best to assist Ukrainian refugees in finding professional work and accommodation. This is a critical time to help Ukraine.
You can help through these organisations:
Babylon ‘13 - Support for Ukrainian Filmmakers
Docudays UA - Support for the festival
Helping.Ukraine: https://linktr.ee/Helping.Ukraine
The declaration is signed by:
Estonian Filmmakers’ Association: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Film Institute: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Screenwriters’ Guild: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Film Directors’ Guild: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Documentary Guild: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Society of Cinematographers ESC
Estonian Film Industry Cluster: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian National Film Producers Union
Association of Estonian Film Producers
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School/Tallinn University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Department of Animation/Estonian Academy of Arts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Animation Association: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Film Journalists’ Association: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonian Association of Audiovisual Authors: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cinema Artis/Tallinnfilm OÜ: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cinema Tartu Elektriteater
Cinema Sõprus
Cinema Võrgukuur
Estonian Film Museum/Estonian History Museum
The Association of Professional Actors of Estonia
Film Archive of the National Archives of Estonia
