September 29, 2015 —Toronto, Ontario: This year, the Estonian Documentary Film Festival (EstDocs) will screen a series of films that coincide with Canada being in the midst of a federal election. For example, the film “Those Who Dare” features an in-depth look at how, during the independence movement in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Iceland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson advocated for a for a “new security order” and led the way for other democracies to recognize these small countries’ right to self-determination.

We are especially pleased to announce that Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson will be a guest at EstDocs this year. Iceland’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs will be attending the screening at Bloor Hot Docs Friday, October 16, and giving a talk on the subject “Transforming from Totalitarianism to Democracy: Learning from the Baltic States.” The talk will take place on Saturday October 17 at 3:00 p.m., at Tartu College, 310 Bloor Street West (entrance on Madison). Tartu College is easily accessible by public transit and there is parking next to the building.

Our full line-up of films is listed at the end of this press release, but one special event we would like to highlight is our Short Film Competition on October 3.
Here, as an audience participant, you can exercise your right to vote on short films by Estonians or about Estonians! The Short Film Competition screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Stephen Bulger Gallery at 1026 Queen St West in Toronto.

“This year’s competition is truly global,” said Tauno Molder, who heads up the EstDocs Short Film Competition. “We have a lineup of contenders from all over the world—Canada, Estonia, USA, Sweden, Norway, and even Japan!” As with all of EstDocs’ screenings, the short films are either in English or have English subtitles, making the event accessible to everyone.

During the festival, films will be screened in a variety of locations in downtown Toronto — including Hot Docs—and all venues can be reached via public transit. For a full range of dates, locations, and screening times, go to www.estdocs.com . Tickets can be ordered www.estdocs.eventbrite.ca.

For more information:
– info@estdocs.com or call Maret Jaks 416-574-0790
– go to www.estdocs.com
– buy tickets online at www.estdocs.eventbrite.ca
– buy tickets in person at: The Estonian Credit Union

Summary of Films and Events
Saturday, Oct 03 – Short Film Competition
7:30 p.m. | Pay what you can | Stephen Bulger Gallery

Thursday, Oct 15 – Kickoff Dinner and a Movie
Journey to the Maggot Feeder
Dinner 6:30 p.m. | Screening 7:30 p.m. | Tartu College
Dinner & Screening: $25 | Screening Only: $10 (rush tickets)

Friday, October 16 – Gala Presentation
Those Who Dare
Reception 6:30 p.m. | Screening 8:30 p.m. | Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Reception & Screening: $20 | Screening Only $10

Saturday, October 17
Speech by Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson
Transforming from Totalitarianism to Democracy:
Learning from the Baltic Experience
3:00 p.m. | Tartu College

Saturday, October 17
Inner Voice and
Arvo Pärt | Robert Wilson: The Lost Paradise
Reception 6:30 p.m. | Screening 7:30 p.m. | Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Reception & Screening or Screening Only: $15

Sunday, October 18
The Story of the Baltic University – 3:00 p.m.
Maestro – 5:00 p.m.
Postludes – 7:00 p.m.
For one screening: $10 | For all three screenings: $15 | Tartu College

Monday, Oct 19
The Story of the Baltic University – 2:00 p.m.
Non-Residents: $10 | Ehatare

Tuesday, October 20
Lemmi’s Love
Elizabeth’s Playground
Estonian House Café 6:00 p.m. (concession)
Screening 7:00 p.m. | Estonian House | $10

Märkmed: