Facts About Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, known as PÖFF, is a prestigious annual event that has been illuminating Tallinn, Estonia, since 1997. It holds the unique honor of being the only festival in Northern Europe and the Baltic region to receive FIAPF accreditation for an International Competitive Feature Film Program, placing it alongside renowned festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, and Venice.
Each year, PÖFF screens over 250 feature-length films and around 250 short films and animations from approximately 80 countries. The festival attracts more than 80,000 attendees, including 1,200 film professionals and journalists.
Running concurrently with the main festival is Industry@Tallinn, a significant convergence point for the audiovisual industry in the region. This event encompasses the Baltic Event Co-Production Market and features segments such as the International Sales and Distributors Meeting Point, the European Genre Forum, and works-in-progress panels. PÖFF also includes sub-festivals like Just Film, which focuses on children and youth films, and PÖFF Shorts, dedicated to short films and animations.
Over the years, PÖFF has evolved into the largest film gathering in Northern Europe. It has hosted numerous notable filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals, thereby solidifying its reputation on the global stage. The festival bestows several awards in categories such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Script.
Industry@Tallinn seeks to connect Northern Europe with the global film industry, attracting over 700 industry guests annually. The Baltic Event Film and Co-Production Market serves as a crucial platform for networking and collaboration within the Baltic film industry. Just Film is the largest children's and youth film festival in the region, offering diverse programs for young audiences.
The 23rd edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival took place from November 5 to December 1, 2019, featuring its main program along with PÖFF Shorts, Just Film, and Industry@Tallinn. The festival continues to be a standout event in the international film community, showcasing a wide array of diverse and innovative cinema from around the world.