What is 'Rolling Papers' about?

'Rolling Papers' is a drama film by 27-year-old Estonian filmmaker Meel Paliale that follows a young store clerk named Sebastian whose ordinary life is shaken up when he meets a free-spirited friend, leading them to dream of escaping to Brazil.

How did Meel Paliale get his film 'Rolling Papers' selected as Estonia's Oscar submission?

Paliale's film 'Rolling Papers' won the audience award at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and later received the Film of the Year honor from the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, helping it earn the country's submission for the 2026 Academy Awards' best international feature category.

What is Meel Paliale's background as a filmmaker?

Despite being only 27 years old, Paliale has been making films since he was a child, writing, directing, editing, and scoring his own projects. He did not attend film school but has honed his multifaceted skills through hands-on experience, bringing a unique personal touch to his work.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / 27-Year-Old Estonian Filmmaker Earns Oscar Nod with Relatable Drama 'Rolling Papers'

27-Year-Old Estonian Filmmaker Earns Oscar Nod with Relatable Drama 'Rolling Papers'

12 Nov

•

Summary

27-year-old Estonian filmmaker Meel Paliale's film 'Rolling Papers' is Estonia's Oscar submission
The film follows a young store clerk who finds his life shaken up after meeting a free-spirited friend
Paliale wrote, directed, edited, and scored the film, drawing from personal experiences

27-Year-Old Estonian Filmmaker Earns Oscar Nod with Relatable Drama 'Rolling Papers'

In 2025, 27-year-old Estonian filmmaker Meel Paliale is making waves with his feature film 'Rolling Papers', which has been selected as Estonia's submission for the 2026 Academy Awards' best international feature category. The film, co-written by Paliale and Urmet Piiling, follows the story of young store clerk Sebastian, whose mundane life is shaken up when he meets the free-spirited Silo. Together, they start smoking weed and dreaming of a one-way trip to sunny Brazil, hoping to escape the monotony of their lives.