Killer Films Boards 'In Starland' for Tallinn World Premiere
Killer Films has boarded In Starland, the directorial debut of British actor Ray Panthaki starring Clarence Maclin, ahead of its world premiere in Estonia, according to Variety.
The UK/US drama will close the first feature competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. A world premiere means no public screening anywhere before Tallinn. The first feature competition is the festival's section for debut directors.
Maclin plays Ernie, a 50-year-old loner. The festival lists the film under the Estonian title Tähtede maal and describes it as a bold exploration of a middle-aged man becoming involved with online influencers, according to its programme pages.
Panthaki wrote the script with Jason Kavan. The film is produced by Panthaki and Daniel Khalili for Le Bateau Lavoir, Daisy Allsop for Archface Films and Victor Paul Wajnberg, with Christine Vachon and Mason Plotts joining as executive producers for Killer Films, according to Variety. An executive producer typically backs a film financially or creatively without handling day-to-day production.
It was shot independently in Mississippi over 20 days. The production was earlier selected as one of the BFI and British Council's GREAT 8 at Cannes, a showcase that introduces upcoming British features to international buyers, according to Variety.
The ensemble around Maclin is large and young. It includes Miss Benny, Bella Maclean, Colin Buckingham, Leesie Pinto, Tai'mua, Kang Frvr, Mollee Gray, Gallant, Maxwell Cunningham, Marcus Scribner and Ben Dickey.
Tallinn runs from 6 to 22 November 2026, with competition screenings held from 13 to 19 November, according to the festival. This year's Official and First Feature Competitions comprise 24 films, with 21 of them world premieres. The Official Competition jury is led by Sir Christopher Hampton and draws members from the UK, Lebanon, the United States, France and Estonia.
Panthaki is known as an actor for Colette and Boiling Point, according to Variety. Maclin broke out in Sing Sing.
What makes this stand out is the route to the screen. A 20-day independent shoot in Mississippi, a British showcase slot at Cannes, and now backing from a New York production company and a closing slot in Tallinn. For audiences, the next stop is Estonia in November.
