Career Born and raised in
Tallinn, he is the son of actor
Aleksander Eelmaa and Reet Eelmaa. Taavi Eelmaa began studies at the
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, graduating in 1996. Among his graduating classmates were
Karin Tammaru,
Ain Prosa,
René Reinumägi,
Indrek Saar, Tarvo Sõmer, and
Ardo Ran Varres. After graduating, he worked for six years at the
Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn, and from 2002 to present at the
Von Krahl Theatre in Tallinn. Eelmaa made his screen debut in 1993 in the
Rainer Sarnet-directed short film
Merehaigus (English:
Seasickness) and has gone on to appear in roles in numerous Estonian films. Among his more memorable roles were as Theo in the 2007
Veiko Õunpuu-directed drama
Sügisball (English:
Autumn Ball), inspired by Estonian writer
Mati Unt's novel of the same name, and as the title character in Õunpuu's 2009
black comedy Püha Tõnu kiusamine (English:
The Temptation of St. Tony). The film was selected as Estonia's submission for the
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the
83rd Academy Awards, but it didn't make the final shortlist. He has also appeared on television, most notably as the character Priit Post in the
Kanal 2 crime series
Kelgukoerad. ==Selected filmography==