Tallinn University: Nurturing Leaders With Industry-Integrated Education And Creative Excellence
Tallinn University
Higher education in Estonia has become a dy¬namic and forward-looking sector, emphasizing research, innovation, and international collab¬oration. The country’s universities offer a wide variety of programs that prepare students for an ever-changing global workforce. Estonia is particularly known for its empha¬sis on digital technologies, creative industries, and interdisci¬plinary studies, with institutions providing modern curricula that reflect societal shifts and technological advancements.
Tallinn University, established in 2005, plays a key role in this educational evolution. The university was formed through the merger of several institutions, most notably the Tallinn Pedagogical University, which had a longstanding tradition of excellence in teacher training and educational sciences. The founding of Tallinn University aimed to modernize higher education in Estonia, offering a broader spectrum of programs while maintaining a strong research focus. The university’s mission is to foster an innovative and interdisciplinary learning environment that meets the growing needs of society.
A prominent part of Tallinn University is the Baltic Film and Media School (BFM), which was created the same year as the university. BFM was founded to address the growing demand for professionals in the media and creative industries, particularly as digital technologies began reshaping the landscape of film, television, and media production. By offering specialized programs in film and media, BFM helps equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving creative sector, both locally and internationally.
Today, Tallinn University stands as a modern educational institution that combines research with practical application. It is committed to offering students a well-rounded education that prepares them for the challenges of a rapidly changing world, while also contributing to the growth of Estonia's creative and digital industries through initiatives like the Baltic Film and Media School.
A Hub for Creativity and Innovation
The Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School (BFM) at Tallinn University is a dynamic institution offering diverse programs in audiovisual media, cross-media, documentary film, film arts, and more. With courses at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, BFM caters to a wide audience, including professional training courses and high school programs in film, media, and photography. Despite its small size, with 800 students and 120 staff, BFM makes a significant impact on creative education.
Central to BFM's philosophy is an interdisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration across art and media fields. The LIFE (Learning in Interdisciplinary Focused Environment) subject exemplifies this, encouraging students to tackle real life challenges through teamwork. Events like the BOB (Best of BFM) student film festival provide platforms for emerging talents to showcase their work, with notable successes such as German Golub's award-winning short film ‘My Dear Corpses’, which won the first prize in its category at the 2020 Student Oscars.
BFM emphasizes practical training through advanced facilities, workshops, and projects, preparing students for the competitive creative industry. The school’s commitment to innovation extends to research, with MEDIT (Centre of Excellence for Media Innovation and Digital Culture) leading projects in areas like cultural data analytics and artistic research.
A member of CILECT and the FilmEU European Universities Alliance, BFM actively participates in international collaborations, enriching its programs and fostering cultural exchange. Through its focus on interdisciplinary education, hands-on experience, and forward-thinking research, BFM continues to shape the future of visual and performing arts education in Europe.
”The Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School (BFM) at Tallinn University excels in integrating education with industry, ensuring students gain both practical experience and professional networks”
A Leader in Professional Development and Film Production
The institute is distinguished by its emphasis on professional development, global engagement, and cutting-edge production facilities. The Centre for Professional Development offers courses to enhance teaching and supervision skills, with training opportunities from industry leaders like Dolby and Canon. Most academic staff and guest lecturers are internationally recognized professionals, such as Riho Västrik and Marianne Ostrat, ensuring students gain insights from experts at the forefront of their fields.
BFM fosters global collaboration, with academic staff teaching at universities across Europe, America, Africa, and New Zealand. Students participate in festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Tallinn. FilmEU Talks, CineClubs, and PÖFF industry events offer further opportunities to engage with global cinema and network with filmmakers. Public presentations of student work and interdisciplinary LIFE courses also encourage learning beyond traditional classrooms.
The BFM Production Centre is a cornerstone of the school, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including Estonia’s first 4K cinema hall, iMac labs, and specialized studios for TV, film, and sound. These resources are freely accessible to students, fostering creativity and hands-on learning. In 2024 alone, students produced over 1,000 audiovisual works, making BFM Estonia a vibrant hub for emerging talent.
Through its commitment to professional development, international collaboration, and exceptional production capabilities, BFM offers an unparalleled environment for aspiring filmmakers and media professionals to thrive and innovate.
Bridging Education and Industry Gaps
BFM excels in integrating education with industry, ensuring students gain both practical experience and professional networks. With most faculty members being active professionals, BFM maintains strong industry ties. Research is industry-driven, addressing real-world challenges and emerging trends. Collaborations with production companies and TV channels enable students to engage in internships and hands-on projects, bridging the gap between academia and the professional world.
Tallinn’s PÖFF Black Nights Film Festival is a significant highlight, offering students opportunities to work as team members, interns, and volunteers while showcasing their own films. BFM also emphasizes project-based learning, where external clients commission students to create TV advertisements, social media campaigns, and music videos. These real-world projects not only allow students to learn from their mistakes but also give them the chance to produce content used by clients.
As Estonia’s largest production house, BFM produced around 1,000 audiovisual works in 2023, including short films, documentaries, commercials, and TV programs. The school also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through initiatives like LUNA TV news broadcasts, involving students from various institutes. Creative works compiled during the studies culminate public screenings, exhibitions and performances. Student films have been featured at 43 film festivals across 20 countries, highlighting their global impact.
Active involvement of industry professionals in teaching and assessment ensures the high quality of education at BFM. Regular meetings with external stakeholders help align the curriculum with industry needs, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement. Through its commitment to industry collaboration, practical training, and innovation, BFM equips students with the skills and connections to thrive in the competitive creative sector.
Speaking about the future road map, Birgit Vilgats, Director, BFM says, “We will increase the number of courses related to AI and its usage in audiovisual production. We will focus even more on providing feedback that supports learner development. We keep using modern and forward-looking technologies in our teaching”.
Tallinn University, established in 2005, plays a key role in this educational evolution. The university was formed through the merger of several institutions, most notably the Tallinn Pedagogical University, which had a longstanding tradition of excellence in teacher training and educational sciences. The founding of Tallinn University aimed to modernize higher education in Estonia, offering a broader spectrum of programs while maintaining a strong research focus. The university’s mission is to foster an innovative and interdisciplinary learning environment that meets the growing needs of society.
A prominent part of Tallinn University is the Baltic Film and Media School (BFM), which was created the same year as the university. BFM was founded to address the growing demand for professionals in the media and creative industries, particularly as digital technologies began reshaping the landscape of film, television, and media production. By offering specialized programs in film and media, BFM helps equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving creative sector, both locally and internationally.
Today, Tallinn University stands as a modern educational institution that combines research with practical application. It is committed to offering students a well-rounded education that prepares them for the challenges of a rapidly changing world, while also contributing to the growth of Estonia's creative and digital industries through initiatives like the Baltic Film and Media School.
A Hub for Creativity and Innovation
The Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School (BFM) at Tallinn University is a dynamic institution offering diverse programs in audiovisual media, cross-media, documentary film, film arts, and more. With courses at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, BFM caters to a wide audience, including professional training courses and high school programs in film, media, and photography. Despite its small size, with 800 students and 120 staff, BFM makes a significant impact on creative education.
Central to BFM's philosophy is an interdisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration across art and media fields. The LIFE (Learning in Interdisciplinary Focused Environment) subject exemplifies this, encouraging students to tackle real life challenges through teamwork. Events like the BOB (Best of BFM) student film festival provide platforms for emerging talents to showcase their work, with notable successes such as German Golub's award-winning short film ‘My Dear Corpses’, which won the first prize in its category at the 2020 Student Oscars.
BFM emphasizes practical training through advanced facilities, workshops, and projects, preparing students for the competitive creative industry. The school’s commitment to innovation extends to research, with MEDIT (Centre of Excellence for Media Innovation and Digital Culture) leading projects in areas like cultural data analytics and artistic research.
A member of CILECT and the FilmEU European Universities Alliance, BFM actively participates in international collaborations, enriching its programs and fostering cultural exchange. Through its focus on interdisciplinary education, hands-on experience, and forward-thinking research, BFM continues to shape the future of visual and performing arts education in Europe.
”The Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School (BFM) at Tallinn University excels in integrating education with industry, ensuring students gain both practical experience and professional networks”
A Leader in Professional Development and Film Production
The institute is distinguished by its emphasis on professional development, global engagement, and cutting-edge production facilities. The Centre for Professional Development offers courses to enhance teaching and supervision skills, with training opportunities from industry leaders like Dolby and Canon. Most academic staff and guest lecturers are internationally recognized professionals, such as Riho Västrik and Marianne Ostrat, ensuring students gain insights from experts at the forefront of their fields.
BFM fosters global collaboration, with academic staff teaching at universities across Europe, America, Africa, and New Zealand. Students participate in festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Tallinn. FilmEU Talks, CineClubs, and PÖFF industry events offer further opportunities to engage with global cinema and network with filmmakers. Public presentations of student work and interdisciplinary LIFE courses also encourage learning beyond traditional classrooms.
The BFM Production Centre is a cornerstone of the school, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including Estonia’s first 4K cinema hall, iMac labs, and specialized studios for TV, film, and sound. These resources are freely accessible to students, fostering creativity and hands-on learning. In 2024 alone, students produced over 1,000 audiovisual works, making BFM Estonia a vibrant hub for emerging talent.
Through its commitment to professional development, international collaboration, and exceptional production capabilities, BFM offers an unparalleled environment for aspiring filmmakers and media professionals to thrive and innovate.
Bridging Education and Industry Gaps
BFM excels in integrating education with industry, ensuring students gain both practical experience and professional networks. With most faculty members being active professionals, BFM maintains strong industry ties. Research is industry-driven, addressing real-world challenges and emerging trends. Collaborations with production companies and TV channels enable students to engage in internships and hands-on projects, bridging the gap between academia and the professional world.
Tallinn’s PÖFF Black Nights Film Festival is a significant highlight, offering students opportunities to work as team members, interns, and volunteers while showcasing their own films. BFM also emphasizes project-based learning, where external clients commission students to create TV advertisements, social media campaigns, and music videos. These real-world projects not only allow students to learn from their mistakes but also give them the chance to produce content used by clients.
As Estonia’s largest production house, BFM produced around 1,000 audiovisual works in 2023, including short films, documentaries, commercials, and TV programs. The school also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through initiatives like LUNA TV news broadcasts, involving students from various institutes. Creative works compiled during the studies culminate public screenings, exhibitions and performances. Student films have been featured at 43 film festivals across 20 countries, highlighting their global impact.
Active involvement of industry professionals in teaching and assessment ensures the high quality of education at BFM. Regular meetings with external stakeholders help align the curriculum with industry needs, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement. Through its commitment to industry collaboration, practical training, and innovation, BFM equips students with the skills and connections to thrive in the competitive creative sector.
Speaking about the future road map, Birgit Vilgats, Director, BFM says, “We will increase the number of courses related to AI and its usage in audiovisual production. We will focus even more on providing feedback that supports learner development. We keep using modern and forward-looking technologies in our teaching”.
