Rosemary who? 'Birth' horror lands Tallifornia film fund
If you're wondering "rosemary who get ready," Estonian director Oskar Lehemaa's English-language body horror Birth just secured backing from the Tallifornia Film Fund. Presented at Frontières Co-Production Market by Stellar Film, the project follows Carl and Emma into a woodland fertility retreat that becomes a sacrificial folk-horror nightmare.
Key Takeaways
- Birth marks Oskar Lehemaa's first English-language body horror feature, produced by Stellar Film's Evelin Penttilä and Johanna Maria Tamm.
- Tallifornia Film Fund recently joined the project after its pitch at Frontières Co-Production Market.
- The plot centers on Carl and Emma, who attend a woodland fertility retreat as a last resort before IVF.
- Lehemaa describes pregnancy as both miraculous and "profoundly grotesque and terrifying," promising imagery that will "permanently sear" into viewers' minds.
- Stellar Film is in active dialogue with Scandinavian and Irish producers to position Birth as a festival-ready European genre film.
What Is 'Birth' About?
After years of failed attempts to conceive, Carl and Emma head to a secluded fertility retreat deep in the woods — a final step before IVF. According to Variety, the retreat's ancient folk rituals take a sinister turn, and the couple discover they have become part of a sacrificial rite.
Lehemaa told Variety the Estonian forest setting came about organically. "It simply made sense to tell a story about pregnancy in an environment literally teeming with life," he said, noting that spring in Estonia feels like life "pulsating through the ground."
Why Did Tallifornia Back This Pregnancy Horror?
The Tallifornia Film Fund's investment signals confidence in elevated European genre cinema. Stellar Film aims to position Birth as a high-visibility title capable of traveling from leading festivals to global distribution.
"With Oskar's uncompromising artistic vision and our shared commitment to delivering elevated genre cinema, we are confident that this project will leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide," Evelin Penttilä told Variety. Stellar is already in active dialogue with producers in Scandinavia and Ireland.
Who Is Oskar Lehemaa — and How Grotesque Will 'Birth' Get?
Lehemaa previously directed the Sundance-selected short Bad Hair and the stop-motion comedy The Old Man Movie. For Birth, he teams with Estonian cinematographer Elen Lotman for his first extensive shoot in nature, blending tightly composed frames with a more free-flowing camera style.
Lehemaa said he believes "pregnancy and childbirth are nature's greatest miracles" while acknowledging they are "profoundly grotesque and terrifying." The film will explore gender expectations around parenthood, drawing on Estonian folklore to build what he calls a "mysterious new cult that's unique to our story."
"I'm already looking forward to creating some messed-up scenes that will permanently sear themselves into audiences' brains," he added — a promise that should keep horror fans watching Streaming & TV Alerts for festival and release news.