About Me
I am an Estonian screenwriter, script consultant, and development producer.
My debut feature, MOTHER (2016), premiered internationally in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, won Best Feature at Kitzbühel and Best Estonian Feature at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. It was also Estonia’s national submission for the Oscars and nominated for Best Screenplay at the Estonian Film and TV Awards. Ultimately, it screened at around 50 festivals in nearly 40 countries.
My second feature, FIRE LILY (2018), premiered at IFF Mannheim-Heidelberg, and my third, DESERTED (2021, co-writer), premiered at Busan. Deserted went on to win Best Feature at the Estonian Film and TV Awards. As a script doctor, I also contributed to KIDS OF THE NIGHT (2021), which won Best Screenplay at the same awards.
My feature documentary KELLY – SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM, which I wrote and co-directed with producer-director Helen Lõhmus (Oree Films), had its world premiere at Hot Docs in April 2024, reaching the festival’s Top 10 in audience rankings. It opened theatrically in Estonia in October 2024, debuting at #4 at the box office and finishing the year as the #7 Estonian film in cinemas. It also received a Special Mention from the jury at the Shocking Pink Endorphins festival in Venice.
In recent years, I have focused primarily on drama series. My first, the Estonia–Latvia–Italy co-production VON FOCK (with co-writer Lilian von Keudell, produced by Jevgeni Supin and Helen Lõhmus / Zolba Productions), premiered in prime time on Estonian National Television in March 2025 and is represented internationally by ZDF Studios.
Current Development
- BREAKING THE ICE: Shortlisted for C21 Drama Series Script Competition 2023. Supported by EFI and Creative Europe MEDIA.
- THE CODE OF THULE: Named Best Estonian Project at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event 2024.
- MIRDJA: In development with Inland Film Company (Finland).
- BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN: Most Promising Project at TV Beats 2023.
- ANGELMAKER: Selected for Pop Up Series Incubator 2025.
Teaching & Memberships
Alongside writing, I teach screenwriting, run development workshops, and serve as an expert for international film funds, markets, and labs.
Let's Tell a Story
Available for screenwriting commissions, script consultancy, and workshops.
leana@leanajalukse.comStorytelling with International Reach
I am an Estonian screenwriter, script consultant, and development producer. My debut feature, MOTHER (2016), premiered internationally in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, won Best Feature at Kitzbühel and Best Estonian Feature at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. It was also Estonia’s national submission for the Oscars and nominated for Best Screenplay at the Estonian Film and TV Awards. Ultimately, it screened at around 50 festivals in nearly 40 countries.
My second feature, FIRE LILY (2018), premiered at IFF Mannheim-Heidelberg, and my third, DESERTED (2021, co-writer), premiered at Busan. Deserted went on to win Best Feature at the Estonian Film and TV Awards. As a script doctor, I also contributed to KIDS OF THE NIGHT (2021), which won Best Screenplay at the same awards.
My feature documentary KELLY – SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM, which I wrote and co-directed with producer-director Helen Lõhmus (Oree Films), had its world premiere at Hot Docs in April 2024, reaching the festival’s Top 10 in audience rankings. It opened theatrically in Estonia in October 2024, debuting at #4 at the box office and finishing the year as the #7 Estonian film in cinemas. It also received a Special Mention from the jury at the Shocking Pink Endorphins festival in Venice.
In recent years, I have focused primarily on drama series. My first, the Estonia–Latvia–Italy co-production VON FOCK (with co-writer Lilian von Keudell, produced by Jevgeni Supin and Helen Lõhmus / Zolba Productions), premiered in prime time on Estonian National Television in March 2025 and is represented internationally by ZDF Studios.
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.
In 2025, I was selected for the international Pop Up Series Incubator, where I am developing the Romanian project ANGELMAKER (produced by Anda Ionescu / Tangaj Production) in collaboration with creator Cristina Groșan and French screenwriter Loïc Barrère.
Alongside writing, I teach screenwriting, run development workshops, and serve as an expert for international film funds, markets, and labs. I am a founding and board member of the Estonian Screenwriters’ Guild, and a member of the Estonian Filmmakers’ Union, the Estonian Audiovisual Authors’ Association, and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain.
Filmography
VON FOCK — drama series (2025)
Role: Writer (co-writer: Lilian von Keudell)
Producers: Zolba Productions / Eesti Telefilm / Berghein Production / Nafta Films / Movie Mento / Albolina Film
Countries: Estonia–Latvia–Italy
International Sales: ZDF Studios
Festivals / Awards: International premiere at the Italian Global Series Festival; selected for the Fiction Series category at the Heart of Europe International TV Festival & Forum (Poland); Nominee for PRIX EUROPA 2025 (Video Fiction); Finalist at the NEM Awards (Best Finished TV Series in CEE) (Croatia)
KELLY – SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM — documentary (2024)
Role: Writer-Director (co-directed with Helen Lõhmus)
Producers: Oree Films / PVS Company
Countries: Estonia–France
International Sales: Autlook
Festivals / Awards: World premiere at Hot Docs (Canada) – Top 10 audience rankings; theatrical #4 opening weekend in Estonia; #7 Estonian film of 2024; Stavanger Indie IFF (Norway); Jury Special Mention at Shocking Pink Endorphins (Italy)
Reviews:
Review: Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream
by Davide Abbatescianni / Cineuropa
Kelly – Someone Else’s Dream Review: Behind the Brave Face
By Pat Mullen / POV Magazine
KIDS OF THE NIGHT — feature (2021)
Role: Script Doctor
Producer: Alexandra Film
Country: Estonia
Festivals / Awards: Winner of Best Screenplay, Estonian Film & TV Awards
IMDB
LOCKED — student short (2021)
Role: Writer
Producer: Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
Country: Estonia
Festivals: Baltic Short Film Competition, Riga IFF 2ANNAS (Latvia); Cinergo IFF (Greece)
IMDB
A WISH UPON A SATELLITE — short (2021)
Role: Writer
Producers: Revolver Film
Countries: Estonia–Finland
Festivals: National Shorts Competition, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia)
IMDB
PÖÖRDES — scripted show (2022)
Role: Writer
Producers: Point Productions / Elisa Estonia
Country: Estonia
Festivals / Awards: Nominee for Best Entertainment Show, Estonian Film & TV Awards
https://www.elisa.ee/et/eraklient/tv/elisa-elamus/seriaal/poordes