EVENT The team from the Japanese film Make the Devil Laugh pose on the Black Carpet. German director Andreas Kleinert celebrates winning PÖFF’s grand prix.
Hear! The PÖFF Wolves Howl Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF in its native Estonian) is gearing up for its 26th edition this November 11–27. The PÖFF team, along with the entire film world, hoped for a return to normality, after two unpredictable years of restrictions. Instead, events in Ukraine have brought a new mood to the year’s industry outlook. Though geographically far removed from the war in Ukraine, PÖFF and Estonia feel a strong affiliation and unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine. By William Smith Photos by Erlend Štaub, Catalina Portillo and Kristel Belinets
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he festival is focusing its efforts on supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian filmmakers in these difficult times. Russian and Belarusian state-supported films and projects will not be eligible for this year’s editions. To support Ukrainian films whose production has
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been disrupted, the 2nd edition of Tallinn Black Nights Goes to Cannes will feature exclusively Ukrainian works-in-progress projects and a Ukrainian Features Preview programme featuring Ukrainian films ready to release will be hosted in collaboration with the Marché du Film. Both activities are part of a wider
Ukraine in Focus programme, scheduled for 21st and 22nd of May. Closer to home, the PÖFF Web Cinema, presented on Elisa Stage, is screening Ukrainian films to audiences in Estonia in exchange for donations to Ukrainian causes. November’s festival will run as normal, but with a particular focus on celebrating the bravery of all the rebels and heroes who stand up to oppression and aggression. In times like these, more than ever, we must remember that culture has always been the thriving force to keep a country and people going, spreading joy and beauty but also documenting the reality of what is happening. Tiina Lokk, Festival Director of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, commented: “It’s our duty as a festival and as individuals to not remain silent. It’s time to raise our voices together, defending freedom of artistic expression and fighting hard against the propaganda of repressive regimes.” Submissions are open for 26th of PÖFF, including the main festival competition programmes (Official Selection, First Feature, Baltic Competition and Rebels With A Cause), as well as Just Film (the children’s and youth film sub-festival) and the BAFTA, EFA and Oscar-qualifying PÖFF Shorts. This year will also see the introduction of series competition, organised together with Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event’s TV
