Tenth year, 10 rising stars to discover! The Black Nights Stars talent showcase recently unveiled the 10 actors for its 2026 edition, taking place in the Estonian capital of Tallinn Nov. 16–21 as part of the Discovery Campus at the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival‘s Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.
For its 10th anniversary, the program brings together actors working across the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries. For the first time, it also invited applications from Iceland and Norway. All in all, more than 200 applications came in through the casting platform etalenta. The work of the selected talent “spans film, television and theater, from Sámi-language drama and Baltic cinema to international streaming productions and award-winning independent films,” Black Nights Stars organizers highlight.
In Tallinn, the young actors will meet international casting directors, talent agents, producers and directors and take part in workshops and discussions to develop their skills and open up new opportunities in the international film industry.
The participants were selected by an international jury of casting directors, namely Sweden’s Pauline Hansson (Triangle of Sadness, The Square), Nina Haun in Germany (Fatherland, Triangle of Sadness), Norway’s Yngvill Kolset Haga (Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World), Anders Nygaard (The Bridge, Shadow and Bone) from Denmark, and Lana Veenker (Grimm, It’s What’s Inside) from the U.S., the president of the International Casting Directors Association. Talent agents Janey van Ierland in the Netherlands and Richard Cook in the United Kingdom also served on the jury.
The up-and-comers will receive the Black Nights Stars Discovery Campus ICDA Award in recognition of their selection. Read up about the 10 rising stars taking the Tallinn spotlight below.
Joonas Koff, Estonia
What you may know him from: At age 13, he was cast in a leading role in the feature film The Fencer before later appearing in Sisu 2: Road to Revenge and then in Estonia’s 2027 international Oscar submission, Our Erika.
Joonas Koff, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I’m hoping to meet some like-minded people and some who are very different from me. It would be awesome to find an agent that I would click with. I’m looking forward to the films of the festival also. And to stay in a hotel for a week, although I live in Tallinn anyway. Work and fun, basically. Filmstarmaxxing.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
Good question. I’m playing in Ene-Liis Semper’s new theater production at Ekspeditsioon. We’re rehearsing right now and putting material together, so I can’t give too much information, but I try to go to places I haven’t been before. To shake up some things in my mind a bit. I have wonderful colleagues to go and explore the unknown with. I hope it’s going to be beautiful, painful, and fun.
Rūta Jonikaitė, Lithuania
What you may know her from: After landing her first major screen role in the feature drama Night Screening, she was nominated in 2024 for Lithuania’s Golden Stage Cross Award for best young actress for her role in Victor, or Power to the Children.
Rūta Jonikaitė, courtesy of Bartosz Fratczak
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
As a young actress, I’m at a stage where I’m eager to absorb as much as I can! I want to meet people who see the world differently than I do, collaborate with filmmakers from different cultures, and be challenged in ways that help me grow both creatively and personally. There is something beautiful about being in a room full of people who share the same passion but bring completely different perspectives. Acting is what drives me, and I believe that growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone, so more than anything, I have a genuine desire to explore, connect, meet new friends, and learn! I want to leave the festival not only with new opportunities but with a deeper understanding of my craft and the people I hope to tell stories for!
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
I’m super excited to share that you’ll be able to see me in Danielius Minkevičius’ film Oblivion, which is also set to premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival! It’s incredibly special to be part of a project from my country that will be presented at a festival that brings together so many inspiring filmmakers and artists.
Alongside film, I’ve also been exploring a new passion of mine: cabaret! I’ve fallen in love with the freedom of creating my own performances, bringing my ideas to life, and combining acting, movement, music, and storytelling in a way that feels uniquely mine. There’s something so exciting about starting with an idea and turning it into something real that you can share with an audience. It gives me the opportunity to experiment, take creative risks, and discover new sides of myself as a performer. I’m really proud of the work I’ve been creating and hope more people get to experience cabaret!
Gunnbjörn Gunnarsson, Iceland
What you may know him from: In 2023, he wrote, produced and starred in the short film Showers, which was nominated for the best narrative award at the Stockfish Film Festival in Iceland.
Gunnbjörn Gunnarsson, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
That’s a great question, and a difficult one to answer because it’s all a bit unpredictable… but I love that, because it’s just like the weather back home in Iceland! No, but in all honesty, I’m incredibly thankful and honored to be the first Icelandic actor selected for the Black Nights Stars program. I hope to soak up as much knowledge and experience as I can while I’m there, like a sponge, and throw myself into the deep end.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
In early 2027, a new Icelandic short film called Torpedo is set to be released, in which I play the lead role of an aspiring mobster trying to make a name for himself as he navigates the Icelandic underworld. It was a new kind of role for me and a challenging one to prepare for, particularly because of the growing concerns surrounding youth violence in Reykjavík. It’s difficult to see and read about something like this happening back home, especially in a small community. At the same time, I find myself drawn to understanding this world, the people involved, and what drives them down such a path. It’s a subject that fascinates me as much as it scares me, and one that made exploring this character particularly interesting. I’m looking forward to the release, and more importantly, I hope it resonates with audiences and sparks conversations that continue long after the film ends.
Mina Dale, Norway
What you may know her from: If you have so far missed her in the romantic cinematic journey that is The Cycle of Love, you may have caught her in the family drama Fuckings Bygda, the vampire series Heirs of the Night, the political romance-drama series Everything You Love, or the blogger drama series Requiem for Selina.
Mina Dale, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I’m really looking forward to meeting other actors and filmmakers from so many different places and making some new connections. From what they’ve already shared about the schedule, it looks like we’ll get the chance to meet some really great people who are at the top of their game and learn from them as well as from each other. I hope to leave the week feeling inspired, having gained some new perspectives, learned something new, seen some great films, and had fun with some cool people.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
The feature film The Cycle of Love, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, is currently in cinemas internationally! I play the female lead, Young Lotta, in this documentary feature about PK, an Indian man who cycles from India to Sweden to reunite with his love. It was a very special project to be part of, as we filmed in India, and most of our dialogue came from improvisation.
I’m also in the new [second] season of the Norwegian medical drama LIS, which has just been released, playing Sunna, an ambulance worker. We got to shadow paramedics and hospital staff as part of the preparation, and I even got to witness a real birth, which was an equally intense and beautiful experience. After Tallinn, I’m heading straight to another shoot, which I’m very excited about, but unfortunately can’t share anything about just yet.
Jarmo Reha, Estonia
What you may know him from: As part of the Estonian MO movement of super-low-budget unscripted films, the theater-trained actor has made three movies with Estonian auteur Eeva Mägi, namely Mo Hunt, Mo Papa, for which he won the 2026 best actor award at the Estonian Film and TV Awards, and Mo Amor, which is premiering at PÖFF.
Jarmo Reha, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I believe the Black Nights Stars program offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with the next generation of talent in the film industry, build meaningful relationships, and discover new pathways into the field. Getting a foot in the door can sometimes feel like an impossible endeavor, which makes the opportunity to meet industry professionals face-to-face all the more valuable. I see this program as a chance not only to expand my professional network but also to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and form connections that could lead to future collaborations.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
My next premiere will be Mo Amor, a film by MO Movement, directed by Eeva Mägi. The film will premiere at PÖFF, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, as part of the Critics’ Picks program. The film explores different forms of love and it is a fairy tale about a transgender man. I play Kaur, the man who emerges when Niina finally embraces his true identity.
Hubert Miłkowski, Poland
What you may know him from: You may remember him from the Netflix crime series The Woods or may have seen him in the films Operation Hyacinth, Braty or Norwegian Dream, for which he won the best actor award at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Cardiff, Wales. He has also appeared in the HBO series Women’s Hell and the short film Song of the Night.
Hubert Miłkowski, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I’m looking forward to encountering different perspectives on acting and on navigating the arts as an emerging actor across different cultural backgrounds. Meeting colleagues from neighboring industries, exchanging experiences and tips, and hopefully building a small network of like-minded people in the region. Co-starring with Stellan Skarsgård in Joachim Trier’s next film would be the dream. But honestly, an invitation to self-tape for any paid project would be a good start. I am also planning to learn at least 10 words in Estonian.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
The feature film Exotic will premiere in the First Feature Competition at this year’s PÖFF, where I play a heartbroken waiter with poetic tendencies.
Two more feature films are set to be released next year, one in cinemas and the other on Netflix, in which I play an alpinist and a fighter pilot, respectively. So I’m aiming high – quite literally.
Kathy Etoa, Switzerland/Germany
What you may know her from: The Cameroon-born Swiss actress based in Berlin has appeared in the likes of German crime drama series WaPo Berlin, feature The Total Dream, German series Supermad and the Netflix film 23,000 Lives.
Kathy Etoa, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I imagine this journey as a hike, with a backpack that I keep filling along the way. As I work toward building an international career, I hope to learn, forge meaningful connections and, above all, exchange ideas and experiences with people who share my deep love for cinema. Every encounter, every new perspective, and everything that inspires, challenges, or motivates me will become part of that backpack – something I can carry with me long after my time in Tallinn.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
Audiences can currently see me as Rose in 23,000 Lives, streaming on Netflix.
Next year, I will appear in Wo die Stille tötet – Mord in der Wüste, a German drama for ARD, Germany’s public broadcaster. I play a mother whose instinct to protect her family is put to the test under extraordinary circumstances.
On January 16, 2027, I will premiere in Drei Geister oder: Der Fall Schwerte, a production at Theater Aachen. Inspired by the true story of a former SS officer who assumed a new identity after the Second World War and went on to build a respected academic career, the play explores historical guilt, political responsibility, and the ways societies confront or conceal their past. The play’s questions resonate far beyond its historical setting. It asks us to consider how individuals navigate the choices between enduring, participating in, or resisting an unjust political system, and what these choices reveal about who we are. How would we act under such circumstances, and which version of ourselves would we choose to become?
Samuel Kujala, Finland
What you may know him from: If you were at Cannes in 2025 and caught highlights of the ACID selection, you will remember him from the music dramedy A Light That Never Goes Out. Before that, he starred in the pro gamer series Nerd: DragonSlayer666 and featured in Netflix’s showbiz drama Dance Brothers, in the crime drama series Port Poison and the feature Fucking With Nobody.
Samuel Kujala, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I see Tallinn as a rare opportunity to discover which aspects of my craft reflect my own ideals and which simply stem from the environment I’m accustomed to working in. Every country develops its own assumptions about acting and collaboration, and those assumptions can become invisible until you encounter people with a different set of habits and defaults. Spending a whole week with fellow actors from different production cultures and artistic backgrounds creates opportunities for dialogue that would be difficult to recreate elsewhere. While the formal program lasts a week, the artistic insights gained through that dialogue can find their way into your work years afterward. Career-wise, I’m also excited to learn more about how international careers, collaborations, and castings are built, and how I can contribute to that landscape.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
Audiences can still catch A Light That Never Goes Out (2025), which earned me the Jussi Award for best leading role [at the premier film awards event in Finland], and continues to screen across the Nordics following its Nordic Council Film Prize nomination.
Next up is Dead Women Talking, a new YLE crime thriller inspired by the true-crime podcast phenomenon that will air across the Nordics following its Finnish premiere. I can’t reveal much about my character yet, except that he’s someone who puts a great deal of effort into making a good first impression. Whether that impression survives the season is another question entirely.
Estrid Gustafsson-Fjellheim, Sweden/Norway
What you may know her from: The Sámi Swedish-Norwegian actress, who is bilingual in Swedish and Norwegian, began her professional screen career at 18 with a supporting role in the TV youth series Håll andan! before playing the lead in the post-apocalyptic feature Fungus and then starring in the Sámi-language series Oro jaska – Shut Up, which was nominated for an International Emmy in 2025.
Estrid Gustafsson-Fjellheim, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
As someone deeply passionate about every aspect of filmmaking, I am incredibly excited to connect with creators from around the world. I look forward to hearing about their unique experiences and gathering insights as a young actor stepping into the industry. It’s a true privilege to have this opportunity to meet international professionals working both in front of and behind the camera. Also, I really look forward to connecting with the other Black Night Stars, people around my age who have similar goals and aspirations as me. This job can sometimes be lonely, and it will be nice to have others to share both struggles and excitement with. Ultimately, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the global film landscape, make new friends, and connect with future colleagues. If I return home from the festival with new ideas, feeling inspired and with a broadened horizon, I will consider it a wonderful success.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
I’m currently juggling five different productions across various platforms and countries in Scandinavia. I was recently cast in two smaller roles for Swedish television, alongside a more substantial role in a Norwegian-Danish production. They are all fantastic projects, though unfortunately, I’m under wraps and can’t say too much about them. However, they will challenge me artistically and emotionally, so it’s going to be an interesting and rewarding period for me.
I also have a major role in an upcoming film called Porslin, a drama set in Sápmi, the homeland of the Sámi, the Indigenous people of Scandinavia. The plot follows a young man, Eliel, who is searching for his deceased mother. I play Linn, who is an essential part of the narrative. She is open, free-spirited, and curious – someone who simply loves life without needing a reason. She meets Eliel, who is her exact opposite and questions everything. Together, they open up new horizons for each other, and perhaps a bit of romance.
As for the stage, I will take part in a children’s play called Vingslag with Giron Sámi Teáhter. I can’t share many details yet due to how early we are in the process, but I am excited for what’s to come.
Eduards Johansons, Latvia
What you may know him from: His film work includes the mystery drama Despair, the surrealist thriller The Year Before the War, in which he portrayed Joseph Stalin, the romantic drama Ecstasis, and the coming-of-age dramedy Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart, while he has also appeared in the TV series Perfect Wedding.
Eduards Johansons, courtesy of Black Nights Stars
What do you hope to get out of your Tallinn experience?
I believe this will be an experience none of us will forget. I think every actor, no matter what stage of life or career they’re at, is looking for opportunities. And this is definitely one of them – an opportunity to meet, build, learn, and dream. I’m really looking forward to getting to know Europe’s film industry and the people who are shaping it.
What can film, TV, or theater audiences see you in next, and what can you share about your role?
In the coming theater season, I’ll be working on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge.
I’m also looking forward to seeing a project I worked on this spring come to life in a miniseries for one of Latvia’s streaming platforms, which will be announced at a later date.
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