Moonika Siimets is a talented and innovative Estonian film director, screenwriter, and producer. She has been making films since the late 1990s, and her work has earned her recognition and awards in several international film festivals.
Born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1975, Siimets began her career as an editor and assistant director for television shows, including the popular Estonian TV series “Lauluja” (The Singer). In 1998, she made her feature film debut with the drama “Öölapsed” (The Night Children), which won numerous awards at film festivals around the world.
Siimets then shifted her focus to writing and producing, developing several short films and documentaries such as “Looduspark” (The Nature Park) and “Külm maa” (Cold Land). Her work in these areas earned her several awards and recognition, including the Grand Prize at the 2005 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
In 2008, Siimets made her big-screen debut with the drama “Sügisball” (Autumn Ball). The film was highly acclaimed and won numerous awards, including the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Since then, Siimets has directed several more feature films, including the romantic comedy “Kertu” (Kertu) in 2012 and the horror film “Vahva” (Strong) in 2017. Her most recent film, the drama “Kolme katku vahel” (Between Three Plagues), was released in 2020 and won the Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Siimets is known for her innovative and creative approach to filmmaking, combining elements of realism, fantasy, and horror with a unique visual style. Her work has earned her recognition and awards in many international festivals, making her one of the most acclaimed Estonian filmmakers today.
