Estonian Documentary Film Festival and Competition returns to Toronto
 
TORONTO, ON - Oct 5, 2011 - EstDocs, the Estonian Documentary Film Festival in Toronto is an audience festival and juried competition featuring Estonia’s top documentary filmmaking talent. The Festival will run Friday October 14 to Tuesday October 18, 2011. Opening night, including a pre-screening reception, will be hosted at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
This seventh annual festival highlights the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence. A selection of the films will focus on this period of struggle for liberation from Soviet powers. 
EstDocs is honoured to present this year’s moderator, award-winning film producer and director Artur Talvik who also produced the first virtual/digital song festival, and participated in Estonia’s historically renowned ‘singing revolution’.
Organized by volunteer efforts, the festival has become the must-attend event for the Estonian community in Toronto (one of the largest Estonian populations outside Estonia). Its expanding profile is attributed to high quality entries and provocative Q&A post screening sessions with the filmmakers/film experts via Estonia-invented Skype. Documentaries are presented in venues across Toronto and has become a popular event for estophiles and film fans.
“This is a very significant year for EstDocs, we have a wonderful mix of fun films as well as those commemorating the enduring spirit of this small nation that for centuries fell victim to occupation by its neighbours.” said Ellen Valter, Festival Director, EstDocs. “This story is by no means limited to Estonia- the country’s narrative transcends political borders and connects with those communities who well know the value of freedom."
Some of this year’s lineup includes Year of the Dragon, which depicts Estonia in the pivotal year 1988; Gross National Happiness, which begs the question, in a dark comical way- is depression genetically programmed into Estonians? Two Days in August, takes a deeper look at the Soviet meltdown of 1991, and a quirky selection, Trendy Dog, peeks into the biggest canine personalities in the show dog world and the unconventional relationship they have with their owners. Tallinn Sprats: The Canned Tales is a fun mockumentary-style doc pitting city against country life.
The Festival runs the week of Oct. 14 to Oct. 18. For more information, including film descriptions, showtimes, venues, and interview opportunities please contact Kaili Lupp at estdocs@gmail.com, by tel: 647.723.6632, online: www.estdocs.com on Facebook: on.fb.me/pFKExj or on Twitter: @EstDocs
 
About EstDocs
EstDocs is a not-for-profit Estonian Documentary film festival and competition held in Toronto that presents the unheard stories from the Baltic nation of Estonia. Its mission is to provide a 360 perspective on Estonian history, politics, arts, culture and more. During the past five years, EstDocs has raised the profile of up-and-coming filmmakers and had the pleasure of featuring the country’s top internationally recognized filmmaking talent. All public screenings are either in English or have English subtitles.
EstDocs Short Film Competition will present competition winners on opening night at TIFF Bell Lightbox. This year’s theme for submissions roughly translates to “Estonian’s Joy”.
EstDocs is presented by Tartu College, whose mandate is to study and promote culture through the literature, music and art of minority nationalities in Canada, particularly those of the Baltics.
 
Tickets Available for Purchase:
From the Estore at 958 Broadview Ave. Tel: 416.465.2219 and The National Estonian Foundation of Canada office at 956 Broadview Ave. Tel: 416.465.5600, and at the door.