The Estonian film 'Morten' won three awards at the Giffoni Film Festival for children and youth in Italy. The festival took place from July 17 to July 25.
Director Ivan Pavljutškov’s debut feature film is 'Morten'. The production received support from the Estonian Film Institute, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Tartu Film Fund, and the Lithuanian Film Centre.
Festival Awards
The film won the Gryphon Award for best film in the 15+ age category, selected by an international youth jury. The international jury of the Giffoni Film Festival consists of nearly 600 young film enthusiasts.
It also received the CONOU Special Prize, awarded by the Italian National Consortium for the Collection, Management, and Treatment of Used Mineral Oils, for themes of sustainability and positive change. Additionally, the film won the CGS (Youth Socio-Cultural Film Clubs) award 'Percorsi Creativi 2026'.
Young audience members praised the film's calm rhythm and the protagonist's complexity.
Young audience members at the festival praised the film's calm and immersive rhythm, dreamlike quality of the relationship, and the protagonist's complexity. The Giffoni Film Festival was established in 1971.
Production and Cast
The film is based on the award-winning book 'Morten, Emilie ja kadunud maailmad' by Reeli Reinaus, who also wrote the screenplay. The story follows a sensitive, introverted 15-year-old boy living with his unemployed uncle while his mother works abroad.
The title role in 'Morten' is played by Tõru Kannimäe. Other key roles are performed by Helena Maria Reisner, Emili Rohumaa, Külli Teetamm, Andres Mähar, Priit Loog, and others.
The film was produced by Kopli Kinokompanii in co-production with Lithuanian company Fralita Films. The producer is Anneli Ahven, with Živilė Gallego as co-producer.
Technical credits include cinematographer Ants Tammik, composer Titas Petrikis, sound director Jonas Jocys, editor Ričardas Matačius, production designer Ketlin Kasar, costume designer Neoon Must, and makeup artist Kelli Neitsov.
The film had its world premiere on July 5 at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It is set to be released in Estonian cinemas on September 11.