Eesti Joonisfilm Studio

The existence of Eesti Joonisfilm Studio could be considered the reason and the consequence simultaneously. As a consequence, the studio carries the experience acquired over a long period of working with cartoon (cel) animation onward in Estonia while at the same time being one of the more important inducers of the uniqueness of contemporary Estonian animation. The experience and ambitions of Eesti Joonisfilm are applied in two directions – according to the appraisal of its owners, balance has been achieved in the studio’s production between high-quality (non-violent) family films intended for a broad audience and the production of films d’auteur, or festival films that are comprehensible for a narrower audience. The films from both directions completed at Eesti Joonisfilm have achieved international success. The unique characteristic of Estonian auteur animation is considered to be consistency in applying the co-effect of caricature, absurd humour and rationality, and playfulness, individuality, and a multifaceted approach in telling stories. All these traits are present in the works of Eesti Joonisfilm’s permanent authors Priit and Olga Pärn, Ülo Pikkov, Priit Tender and Kaspar Jansis. According to critics, films by Eesti Joonisfilm’s authors treat children like grown-ups and grown-ups like children (Jaan Ruus). Janno Põldma, Heiki Ernits and Andrus Kivirähk, the authors of the Lotte series films for children and the whole family, have set their main task in direct contrast to entertainment industry standards. Their aim is to create a film out of interwoven stories that continuously holds children’s interest and gives them surprises in such a way as not to use the bad custom originating from times immemorial of spicing the action with violence.