The Tallinn TV Beats Co-Financing Market has unveiled its 2026 selection, highlighting 10 high-stakes drama projects that reflect current geopolitical tensions and strong industry pedigree. The lineup, which includes new works from veteran producers and acclaimed directors like Darius Jabloński, Kadri Kousaar, and Rodrigo Susarte, is set to be presented during the 25th anniversary of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event on November 16-17, 2026.
Co-heads Petri Kemppinen and Roosa Toivonen oversee the selection. The selected projects represent a wide geographic range, featuring co-productions and stories from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and Canada. These titles will compete for the €50,000 Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award, a significant prize aimed at fostering international collaboration.
Geopolitical Thrills and Espionage
Leading the selection is “Fortel,” an eight-part spy thriller presented by Darius Jabloński and produced by Apple Film Production for the Polish broadcaster Polsat. The series is written by Marc Grey, known for his work on the Emmy-winning series “Tehran.” The project focuses on clandestine activities and political maneuvers.
Geopolitical history also anchors “Stormbird,” a five-part historical thriller from Estonian director Kadri Kousaar. The series explores the 1949 Soviet occupation of Estonia, focusing on themes of resistance and survival during a pivotal moment in the Baltic region’s history. Kousaar, whose previous work has navigated complex social and political landscapes, brings a local perspective to the era’s broader historical conflict.
Supernatural Intrigue and Regional Noir
The 2026 slate also features “When Devils Rule,” a Spanish project from creator Rodrigo Susarte. Described as a supernatural political thriller, the series marks a shift toward genre-bending narratives within the co-financing market. Susarte’s involvement signals a strong Mediterranean presence in the Baltic-focused event, emphasizing the market’s role as a bridge between different European production hubs.
Icelandic production is represented by “Kalmann,” a crime adaptation based on the novel by Joachim B. Schmidt. Produced by Netop Films, the project follows the established tradition of Nordic noir while adapting a literary property with existing international recognition. The inclusion of such adaptations alongside original thrillers like “Fortel” highlights the market’s focus on projects with clear path-to-market potential.
The Tallinn TV Beats Co-Financing Market serves as a primary platform for European producers to secure the final pieces of their financial puzzles. By focusing on projects that combine timely themes—such as the modern espionage of Jabloński’s work or the historical resistance of Kousaar’s—the market continues to position itself as a key indicator of the next wave of major European television co-productions.
