(27.01.1943)

Valentin Kuik is a writer, screenwriter and a film director. He is mostly appreciated for contributing to the script field. “Words are important in every field of art – and cinematography has taught me to appreciate words,” said director Valentin Kuik. His first writing project, that reached distribution, was “The Pastor of Reigi” (1977) and his most legendary project has been “The Joys of Midlife” (1987). Although his writing skills are marvelous, he has also directed some films e.g. “Hit Back” (1975), “Family Photos” (1989) and “The Battlefields of Love” (1992). Short film “Hit Back” was his thesis work in the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography, which he graduated with cum laude. Kuik has worked under Estonian Television, Tallinnfilm, Eesti Telefilm and is even a co-founder of a film studio F-Seitse. His work has been awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Audiovisual Art Endowment Fund of the Estonian Cultural Foundation in 2022, for years of generous work as a screenwriter and director.