Although films were produced in Estonia as early as the beginning of the 20th century, the systematic production of feature films really started after the Second World War when Estonia became a part of the Soviet Union. However, the state studios, later known as Tallinnfilm, at least had something to build on.
Kuigi filme tehti Eestis ka sajandi alguses, sai mängufilmide süsteemne tootmine alguse pärast Teist maailmasõda, kui Eesti liideti Nõukogude Liiduga. Riiklik stuudio, hilisem Tallinnfilm, ei tekkinud siiski tühjale kohale.