Screenwriter • Consultant • Producer
Crafting Stories that Resonate
From the award-winning feature Mother to the upcoming series Von Fock.
About Me
I am an Estonian screenwriter, script consultant, and development producer. My debut feature, MOTHER (2016), premiered internationally at Tribeca, won Best Feature at Kitzbühel, and was Estonia’s national submission for the Oscars.
My subsequent features include Fire Lily (2018) and Deserted (2021), the latter winning Best Feature at the Estonian Film and TV Awards. Recently, I wrote and co-directed the documentary Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream (2024), which premiered at Hot Docs.
Currently, I focus primarily on drama series, including the Estonia–Latvia–Italy co-production VON FOCK (2025). Alongside writing, I am a founding board member of the Estonian Screenwriters’ Guild and teach screenwriting at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School.
Selected Filmography
Feature Films, Documentaries & Series
Von Fock (2025)
Writer. Estonia–Latvia–Italy co-production. Represented by ZDF Studios.
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Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream
Writer-Director. World Premiere at Hot Docs 2024. Top 10 Audience Ranking.
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Mother (2016)
Writer. Tribeca Film Festival Premiere. Estonia’s Oscar Submission.
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Deserted (2021)
Co-writer. Winner Best Feature at Estonian Film & TV Awards.
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Fire Lily (2018)
Writer. Premiered at IFF Mannheim-Heidelberg.
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Kids of the Night
Script Doctor. Winner Best Screenplay, Estonian Film & TV Awards.
View on IMDbWorkshops & Consultancy
I design and deliver workshops for writers, filmmakers, and creative professionals, combining practical craft with real-world industry insights.
All programmes are adaptable to the needs of the organiser or group and can be delivered in Estonian or English, onsite or online.
See the Whole RangeFeature Film Screenplay
A full-day intensive masterclass exploring the craft and structure of feature screenwriting. Blends theory with practical exercises.
Drama Series Development
A deep dive into addictive series. Covers concept creation, story engines, pilot structure, and pitching.
Development Workshops
Long-form (4 month) programmes for Features or Series. From idea to polished draft/pitch deck with continuous feedback.
Mentoring & Consultancy
Tailored one-on-one sessions for career strategy, project development, or industry navigation.
Current Development Slate
Breaking the Ice
Co-written with Joachim Friedmann
Zolba Productions
Shortlisted for the C21 Drama Series Script Competition 2023. Supported by the Estonian Film Institute and Creative Europe MEDIA.
The Code of Thule
Co-created with Uwe Lützen, Rein Pakk, Peep Ehasalu
Zolba Productions
Named Best Estonian Project at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event 2024. Supported by the Estonian Film Institute.
Mirdja
Co-created with Maria Ruotsala
Inland Film Company (Finland)
Currently in development with script development support from the Finnish Film Foundation.
Behind the Iron Curtain
Co-created with Helen Lõhmus
Oree Films
Awarded Most Promising Project at the TV Beats Co-Financing Market 2023.
Angelmaker
With Cristina Groșan & Loïc Barrère
Tangaj Production (Romania)
Selected for the international Pop Up Series Incubator 2025.
Let's Tell a Story
Available for screenwriting commissions, script consultancy, and workshops.
leana@leanajalukse.comScreenwriter, Script Consultant, Development Producer
“Award-winning screenwriter of the Tribeca-premiering Mother, the box-office hit Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream, and the international crime series Von Fock.”
Storytelling with International Reach
I am an Estonian screenwriter and development producer working across features and drama series. My debut feature, Mother (2016), was Estonia’s national submission for the Oscars and screened at nearly 50 festivals worldwide. Most recently, my documentary Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream premiered at Hot Docs and reached the Top 10 in audience rankings.
Beyond writing, I am a founding board member of the Estonian Screenwriters’ Guild and an expert for international film funds and labs.
Featured Work
(Selected Filmography)
VON FOCK (2025)
Highlight: Estonia–Latvia–Italy co-production, represented by ZDF Studios. Nominee for PRIX EUROPA 2025.
KELLY – SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM (2024)
Highlight: Writer-Director. #4 box office opening in Estonia, Hot Docs World Premiere.
DESERTED (2021)
Highlight: Co-writer. Premiered at Busan IFF, winner of Best Feature at Estonian Film & TV Awards.
MOTHER (2016)
Highlight: Tribeca Competition, Best Estonian Feature (PÖFF).
Mastering the Craft
I design and deliver workshops for writers and filmmakers, combining practical craft with real-world industry insight. All programmes are adaptable and available in Estonian or English, onsite or online.
Script Development Workshops
Long-form programmes for Feature Films and Drama Series, taking participants from concept to pitch-ready drafts.
Masterclasses
Intensive full-day sessions on Screenwriting Structure, Character Development, and Series Storytelling.
Mentorship & Consultancy
Tailored one-on-one sessions for career strategy, project development, and script doctoring.
Press & Reviews
My current development slate:
- BREAKING THE ICE(co-written with Joachim Friedmann, co-created/co-produced by Jevgeni Supin / Zolba Productions), shortlisted for the C21 Drama Series Script Competition 2023 and supported by the Estonian Film Institute and Creative Europe MEDIA.
- THE CODE OF THULE(co-created with Uwe Lützen, Rein Pakk, and Peep Ehasalu; produced by Helen Lõhmus / Zolba Productions), supported by the Estonian Film Institute and named Best Estonian Project at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event 2024.
- MIRDJA(co-created with Maria Ruotsala, produced by Klaus Heydemann / Inland Film Company, Finland), currently in development with script development support from the Finnish Film Foundation.
- BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN(co-created with Helen Lõhmus, produced by Helen Lõhmus / Oree Films), awarded Most Promising Project at the TV Beats Co-Financing Market 2023.