‘Billionaire Island’ Producer Gudny Hummelvoll and Jevgeni Supin, Behind ‘Von Fock,’ Win Tallinn’s Honorary TV Beats Producer Awards (EXCLUSIVE)

Norway’s Gudny Hummelvoll, producer of “Billionaire Island,” “Headhunters” and “Occupied,” and heavyweight Estonian producer Jevgeni Supin, behind international historical series “Von Fock,” will be the recipients of this year’s Honorary TV Beats Producer Awards.

Adjudicated by the TV Beats Forum, the drama series strand of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, the industry arena of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, the awards will be presented at the TV Beats Forum on Nov. 18, followed by a fireside chat with Hummelvoll, Supin and Marike Muselaers.

“The decision to present two awards this year reflects the event’s desire to bring attention to the producer’s pivotal role in the audiovisual industry – without their dedication, enthusiasm, dynamism, resourcefulness and sheer willpower a lot of the content that the audiences enjoy and gravitate to simply wouldn’t exist,” said Petri Kemppinen and Roosa Toivonen, co-heads of Tallinn’s TV Beats Forum.

“Working as a producer in smaller countries where the home market cannot fully sustain a global ambition level is even more challenging, yet this year’s recipients have overcome even this obstacle,” they added.

Founder and CEO of Hummelfilm, Hummlevol has emerged as an industry leader in a national production sector, Norway’s, which punches far above it weight, as seen in the number of prizes and selections it earns at key TV festivals in Europe such as Series Mania and Canneseries.

Both producers show large ambition. “Boasting one of the biggest original leaps of imagination of any series coming out of Europe,” Variety said when it premiered “Occupied,” based on a Jo Nesbit novel which posited Russia’s occupation of Norway, was billed as Norway’s biggest TV series to date It also grabbed a 53.4% share on Norway’s TV2. Hummelvol has also show how locally-rooted stories can hit global stages, 2024 “Billionaire Island,” hailed as Succession with salmon, a cutthroat battle for control of a local salmon industry in Norway, was a Netflix and critical hit.

Beyond Hummelvol’s creative achievements, she has been a tireless advocate for collaboration, diversity, and mentorship within the European production community and has served as the first female President of the European Producers Club, championing her producer colleagues throughout challenging years of COVID-19 and post pandemic disruption.

Supin, like Hummelvoll, work international co-production, making a virtue out of necessity. He also has shown large – and successful ambition.

Producer of the first Estonian Viaplay original, “Who Shot Otto Mueller,” in September last year, he unveiled to Variety a slate of five high-end dramas, including “My Dear Mother” repped by Film.UA Group and “Von Fock.” The latter is a crime drama, but set in the early 19th century, allowing for liberal resort to Estonia’s historical patrimony. It was also the first Estonian series ever to receive support from both Creative Europe’s Media Program and Eurimages’ pilot program for series co-productions. Also set up at Supin’s fast-expanding Zolba Productions, “My Dear Mother,” produced with the Ukraine, is one of the most anticipated of Estonian dramas.

Advocating, promoting and supporting fellow producers, Supin was the first head of what has become the Baltic TV Beats Forum. His award celebrates his commitment and efforts to make Baltic voices resonate globally.