THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN VIRU FILM FUND
We operate in Ida-Viru County (East-Viru County), on the border of the European Union. You can reach us by road or rail. We are 160 kilometres from Tallinn; 130 kilometers from Tartu; 390 kilometers from Helsingi.
The Viru Film Fund has been operating since 2013 and is a regional initiative aimed at supporting the production of audiovisual content, bringing film projects to the region, and developing the local film sector in cooperation with creative professionals and businesses.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Evelin Saarmets has been appointed as the new Head of the Viru Film Fund. In her new role, she will take responsibility for coordinating and developing the activities of the Viru Film Fund. Evelin Saarmets will also continue as the Head of the Film Industry Incubation Program. The Film Industry Incubator is an IdaHub program that promotes the creative economy in the audiovisual sector. Combining these two roles creates a stronger link between local creative talent and film productions coming to the region.
The current Head, Piia Tamm, is very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Viru Film Fund, but she has decided to move on to new challenges. Supporting filmmakers and the creative economy will remain among her areas of interest in the future.
We thank Piia Tamm for her valuable contribution so far and wish Evelin Saarmets every success in her new role!
Annual budget is €200,000
Viru Film Fund’s annual budget is €200,000 for the co-funding of feature films, documentaries, TV series, short films and music videos filmed in Ida-Viru County.
ATTENTION! DEAR APPLICANTS, OUR APPLICATION PROCEDURE HAS CHANGED!
Applications to the Viru Film Fund are accepted on a rolling basis. Submitted applications are reviewed twice a year, with review periods starting on 1 March and 1 October. The processing time for applications is up to 30 days from the start of the review period. During the review process, applicants have the opportunity to present their application to the Film Fund council in an online meeting.
We reimburse up to 40% of expenses incurred in Ida-Viru County.
The funding decision will be made within 30 days.
Read the conditions for application
We accept projects for co-production from all over the world. In order to apply, you need a co-producer from Estonia. You can find a list of trusted co-producers on the Film Estonia website: www.filmestonia.eu.
Viru Film Fund’s annual budget is €200,000 for the co-funding of feature films, documentaries, TV series, short films and music videos filmed in Ida-Viru County.
We offer a cash rebate by refunding up to 40% of your local production costs.
ATTENTION! DEAR APPLICANTS, OUR APPLICATION PROCEDURE HAS CHANGED!
Applications to the Viru Film Fund are accepted on a rolling basis. Submitted applications are reviewed twice a year, with review periods starting on 1 March and 1 October. The processing time for applications is up to 30 days from the start of the review period. During the review process, applicants have the opportunity to present their application to the Film Fund council in an online meeting.
We reimburse up to 40% of expenses incurred in Ida-Viru County. Funding decisions are made within 30 days.
Read the conditions for application
We accept projects for co-production from all over the world. In order to apply, you need a co-producer from Estonia. You can find a list of trusted co-producers on the Film Estonia website: www.filmestonia.eu.
Annual budget €200,000
FINANCIERS OF VIRU FILM FUND
The Viru Film Fund expanded in 2019 thanks to co-financing from the Ida-Virumaa program (since 2024 under the Ministry of Regional and Agricultural Affairs, previously the Ministry of Finance) and regional funders: Toila, Jõhvi, Alutaguse, Lüganuse municipalities, and the cities of Kohtla-Järve, Narva, and Sillamäe. In 2025, Narva-Jõesuu city joined the fund. In addition the Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Center is also a partner of Viru Film Fund.
The fund is open to new funders from both the public and private sectors.
The work of Viru Film Fund is coordinated by the Ida-Viru Entrepreneurship Center Foundation (IVEK).