EVENT Hear! The PÖFF Wolves Howl

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

The 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 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

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.

Baltasar Kormakur, from Iceland, via Hollywood, was a headline speaker at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.

PÖFF closing ceremony: Tiina Lokk and DDA founder Dennis Davidson in action.

Beats strand. The regular deadline for film submissions is August 30th via FilmFreeway. PÖFF announced at its 25th closing ceremony that Brazil would be in the spotlight for 2022.

This year’s Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event (I@T&BE) continues as a hybrid event. Baltic Event, the event’s headline feature co-production market, opens submissions early this year, with the aim of offering more tailored support and opportunities for participants. Marge Liiske, Managing Director of I@T&BE commented: “The last years have seen their share of challenges, but they have also taught our industry how to be more agile.” TV Beats, the drama-series-focused sub-programme of I@T&BE, is also changing with the times, launching a competition for series, after initiating a Co-Financing Market in 2021. New series from around the world will be screened online and onsite, with prizes awarded to best projects by a jury of international experts. Submissions for the TV Beats Co-Financing Market and TV Beats competition programme are also open now. For more information, visit industry.poff.ee.

Talent programmes under the Discovery Campus umbrella continue to adapt, reaching new target groups. Young Tallinn, a development programme for young critics will continue with fresh new media partners, after relaunching in 2021. Future to Film, incorporating the Script Pool scriptwriting competition, also continues for its second edition. Triin Tramberg, the Head of Discovery Campus, commented that this year’s second official year under the new brand would “continue building on the success of our well-regarded talent programmes such as Music Meets Film, Black Nights Stars and Black Room, while also introducing entirely new audiences to rewarding career paths in the film industry”. These new programmes have been in huge demand, with oversubscribed hybrid courses ranging from an introduction to film production to location scouting. EF

PÖFF guests joining our morning winter swimming challenge.