Why the Tallinn Market’s Focus This Year Is “Back to Basics,” IP, Gaming – and Less AI

Why the Tallinn Market’s Focus This Year Is “Back to Basics,” IP, Gaming – and Less AI

The Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event (ITBE) market of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) returns for its 25th edition at the 30th edition of the Estonian fest. Starting on Friday, it will once again gather established film professionals and younger talents for panel discussions, masterclasses, case studies, workshops, pitch sessions and screenings – and,…

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‘A Photographer in Cannes’ Follows an Estonian Who Knows the World’s Red (and Black) Carpets – and Loved Getting a Vin Diesel Fist Bump

‘A Photographer in Cannes’ Follows an Estonian Who Knows the World’s Red (and Black) Carpets – and Loved Getting a Vin Diesel Fist Bump

You have seen the stars and red carpet glamour of the Cannes Film Festival through the lenses of photographers, TV cameras and mobile phones. Now you can get a backstage look at the life and not always so glamorous work of one of the hard-working red carpet photographers in the new documentary A Photographer in…

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To Make a Doc About a Nomadic Cyclist, the ‘Perfect Road’ Filmmakers Spent 3 Months in a Campervan

To Make a Doc About a Nomadic Cyclist, the ‘Perfect Road’ Filmmakers Spent 3 Months in a Campervan

For their documentary Perfect Road, Danish directors and cousins Adam and Christian Bonke followed nomadic cyclist Maximilian Schnell on an extreme journey across some of Europe’s highest mountain passes. The film documents his journey, offers a character study and serves up a meditation on modern life and our priorities and life choices. Elk Film and…

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PÖFF Stands With Ukraine: A Look at Films Featured at Tallinn Made Despite, and Because of, the War

PÖFF Stands With Ukraine: A Look at Films Featured at Tallinn Made Despite, and Because of, the War

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) has been standing with Ukraine and showing solidarity since the 2022 full-scale invasion of the country by Russia, featuring Ukrainian films, showcasing works-in-progress and organizing Ukraine-themed panels in its industry strand Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. “We are obliged to do everything possible to help and support the Ukrainian…

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“Saviors of Cinema” and “Money Machine”: Tallinn Puts Spotlight on Kids, Youth Films and Social Media Bans

“Saviors of Cinema” and “Money Machine”: Tallinn Puts Spotlight on Kids, Youth Films and Social Media Bans

Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) kicks off its 30th anniversary edition on Friday. In addition to latest art house discoveries, movies for younger audiences will also take the spotlight at the event – as has become tradition. PÖFF launched its popular Just Film Festival for youth and children’s movies in 2001. Since 2023,…

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Meet the Estonian Folklore Characters Helping to Celebrate the 30th Tallinn Fest – and Their Animator

Meet the Estonian Folklore Characters Helping to Celebrate the 30th Tallinn Fest – and Their Animator

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) was looking for someone to create a visual identity, the first in the festival’s history. “We want to enter the festival’s next decade with a fresh perspective and create new traditions,” PÖFF’s head of marketing Maria Plees said in unveiling the news late…

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Tallinn Black Nights Fest Unveils Baltic Film Competition

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) has unveiled further titles for its 30th edition, taking place Nov. 6-22, including its Baltic Film Competition. According to Edvinas Pukšta, curator of the Baltic Film Competition, international collaboration defines this year’s selection. Five films are directed by filmmakers from outside the Baltic countries, with Baltic talent and…

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‘Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart’ Is Not a Film About a Daughter Forgiving Her Father: It’s “OK to Be Angry”

‘Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart’ Is Not a Film About a Daughter Forgiving Her Father: It’s “OK to Be Angry”

Latvian writer-director Alise Zariņa’s (Nearby) new feature, Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart, celebrated its world premiere in the Baltic Competition at the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) late on Tuesday, Latvia’s Independence Day. The coming-of-age dramedy follows Liv, a woman in her 30s who struggles with body insecurities. “Once, Liv dreamed of being a…

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