Our Erika (Estonian: Meie Erika) is a 2026 biographical sports drama film co-written and directed by German Golub in his feature debut. A co-production between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, it stars Karolin Jürise as the Estonian track cycling racer Erika Salumäe. The film premiered at Tallinn on 13 February 2026 by Hea Film.
It was selected as the Estonian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
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Synopsis
The film is an inspiring story of Estonian Olympic track bicycle racer Erika Salumäe, who overcomes a painful childhood, personal hardships, and the pressures of the declining Soviet regime to become an Olympic champion in 1988 Summer Olympics and in 1992 Summer Olympics winning two gold medals. Driven by an intense desire to succeed, and to be loved, Erika transforms from a troubled young woman into a national hero. Yet her greatest victory forces her to question whether fame and achievement can truly give her the love and acceptance she has always sought. In 1988, her moment of glory came at the Town Hall square, she was received as a national hero – "our Erika".
Cast
Karolin Jürise as Erika Salumäe
Saara Kõiv as Erika, 10-year-old
Magda Kõrvits as Erika, 5-year-old
Erki Laur as Kalmus
Milena Mishkevich as Jenjuhhina
Kristin Prits as Annika
Rodion Kuzmin as Sokolov
Viktor Lanberg as Leonov
Katariina Tamm as Ruth
Ülle Kaljuste as Kasuvanaema
Mari Abel as Ruth
Simeoni Sundja as Väino
Tiit Sukk as Tiit
Pääru Oja as Jaanus Kuum
Priit Loog as Ants Antson
Juhan Ulfsak as Aksel
Tiina Tauraite as Naismiilits
Silva Pijon as Heli
Ronja Marie Tepp as Irina
Piret Laurimaa as Elva õpetaja
Carmen Mikiver as Kaagvere direktor
Rein Pakk as Väliseestlane
Joonas Koff as Jõmm
Marju Lepp as Jalgrattaliidu sekretär
Production
The film distributed by Hea Film is supported by the Estonian Film Institute, Cultural Capital, Latvian Film Fund, Lithuanian Film Centre, National Film Centre of Latvia, Tartu Film Fund, Estiko, Viru Film Fund and Elva Coop.
Principal photography began on 1 June 2024 at locations in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Georgia, Munich and vicinity. Filming ended on 28 August 2024. The shooting of the film began in Estonia in locations in Tallinn, Tartu County and Ida-Viru County in June 2024, then in Latvia and Lithuania in July and back to Estonia in August 2024.
In Estonia in August, the film was shot at Pirita Velodrome in the Pirita district of Tallinn, Estonia. Actors on retro-style bicycles, wearing period sportswear at a banked circuit constructed during the Soviet era, filmed 1986 UCI Track Cycling World Championships scenes. In November 2024, last sequence of the film, the felicitation of Erika Salumäe at
Tallinn Town Hall square in 1988 was filmed.
In November 2024, the film was presented in Baltic Event Works in Progress at the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event for festival premieres.
Release
Our Erika was premiered on 13 February 2026 in Estonian cinemas.
The film will also be available on the Estonian platform Elisa in 2026.