Silent City Driver wins the Grand Prix for the Best Film of Official Selection Competition, also scooped the Best Production Design Award.
At the Award Ceremony of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), awards were presented to the winners of the festival’s six competition programmes and PÖFF’s youth and children’s film sub-festival Just Film.
OFFICIAL SELECTION COMPETITION
The jury of PÖFF's flagship programme, chaired by Christoph Hochhäusler, chose Sengedorj Janchivdorj's Silent City Driver as their favourite, awarding it the Grand Prix for Best Film. Silent City Driver uses Mongolia's striking urban landscapes and skyscapes to tell a raw, powerful story of life on the edge, weaving existential reflections on life and death with a unique cinematic style. The film was written by Sengedorj Janchivdorj, whose previous feature, The Sales Girl (2021), was a hit around the world, including at PÖFF's summer open-air festival Tartuffe, where it won the Audience Award.
The jury commented on the film as follows: "This dark fairy tale from Mongolia took us by surprise. From the very first shot on, we felt the sensation of a film breaking new ground. Silent City Driver is a very stylish film, but style here is substance, the formal choices are not used to divert, but to deepen this very cinematic universe, populated by unique characters, bigger than life, but very very human. The Grand Prix for the best film goes to Silent City Driver by Sengedorj Janchivdorj.
The Best Director Award was given to Nir Bergman, for Pink Lady. The jury praised the director with the following words: "The award for best director goes to a film that shows expert craftsmanship at all levels. When the vast complex machine of a film works in perfect sync, when every performance is subtle and moving, every emotional step feels honest and heartbreaking… and all of these elements weave seamlessly into an immersive and gripping world — this is a sign of great directing. The winner of this year's Best Director, The Pink Lady by the director, Nir Bergman — is a masterclass in precise and effortless direction.
The Best Cinematography Award was presented to Claudia Becerril Bulos for her work on Empire of the Rabbits (dir. Seyfettin Tokmak). "The cinematography’s dark tones highlight the desolation and darkness surrounding the characters. Intimate, close-up observation is executed with a sobriety and realism that creates a meditative experience. The desolate landscapes and bare trees act as a metaphor for the children as prisoners to their environment, despite their dreams for escape. The camera filters accentuate the mood and compliment the darkness," said the jury.
The Best Script Award went to Seyfettin Tokmak for Empire of the Rabbits. He is also the director of the film. The jury commented the film as "Haunting. Meditative. Heartbreaking. Poignant but sparks a small flicker of hope. The film writing delicately captures heavier themes of exploitation, child violence and destitution with emotional beats and technical restraint."
The Best Actress Award was divided between Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtilä for their roles in 100 Liters of Gold, directed by Teemu Nikki. The jury said: "The award for best actress goes to two actresses who take us into a bitter reality, but in a very natural way, never overacting, never giving us the impression that they were playing a role. Their performances look simple without ever being simplistic. For their portrayal of two very different sisters in 100 Liters of Gold, the award for Best Actress goes ex aequo to Elina Knihtilä and Pirjo Lonka."
The Best Actor Award went to Lee Hyo-Ye for his role in The Loop. The jury commented: "For a fearless exploration of a character in an oppressive quagmire through an intricate portrayal of fragile youth drowning in physical violence and emotional turmoil. In his eyes and body language, we see desperation, hopelessness, guilt but also love. The Award for Best Actor goes to Lee Hyo-Ye of The Loop."
The Best Original Score Award was scooped by Alyana Cabral and Moe Cabral for their soundtrack to Some Nights I Feel Like Walking. The jury commented as follows: "This mostly minimal score builds and weaves threads between desperation and solidarity, pain and hope. The music complements the sound design, brings the characters and their subtexts to life in a subtle and inventive way."
The Best Production Design Award went to Munkhbat Shirnen for his work in Silent City Driver.
"Production design is an often overlooked tool of storytelling," said the jury. "While many of the films had bold aesthetic visions, one film stood out not only by its beauty, but for the expert use of subtle detail and honesty to build a world that works as an integral part of the storytelling. Every detail seems true and unobtrusive, helping build the characters and the world without pulling attention from the emotional through-line."
FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION
The jury, led by John Durie, handed out four prizes.
Best Film Award was given to Steve Bache (director), Marcos Kantis, Martin Lehwald, Felix Ruple (producers) for their feature-debut No Dogs Allowed. The jury commented on their decision as follows: "Mr. Bache has made a movie for today (and tomorrow) dealing with one of the most taboo subjects in society: paedophilia via online grooming. But it is made with absolute sensitivity and vulnerability, thanks to the excellent cast and in particular the two lead characters. There are no clichés here and most importantly it is a film for every parent who thinks they know what their children are doing, often online in their own home. But in reality they deny, ignore or rationalise 'this could not happen in my house'. But this makes this movie a must-see."
The Best Director award was given to Diego Figueroa for his first feature A Yard of Jackals.
"Disturbing from the first frame to last, this mysterious psychodrama/thriller creates a claustrophobic mood that carries traits of David Lynch's Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive," stated the jury. Additionally, the use of off-screen sound and model-making and the puzzle of who is who signal Mr. Figueroa as a director with an exceptional vision.
Two special prizes were handed out. First Special Prize for the cast went to Mongrels . "A heartfelt film about dislocation, re-location and how one family deal in each their own way (and together) in coming to terms with a family tragedy, and in particular how a father comes to understand and accept that his son is not the warrior he is. The second Special Prize for the director was given to Edgardo Pistone (Ciao Bambino). "A complete film with attitude - from story, script, acting, mood and in particular cinematography, that marks director Edgardo Pistone as a talent to watch," said the jury.
BALTIC FILM COMPETITION
The jury was led by Mikko Fritze, and handed out two prizes.
The Award for the Best Baltic Film was given to Ignas Miškinis (director) and Lukas Trimonis (producer) for their The Southern Chronicles. "We found the time travel to postsocialistic Lithuania strongly convincing, -- visually, music- and storywise. The film gives us a real and humorous taste of the time, when the world in post-soviet countries was turned upside down," said the jury.
"Outstanding acting, especially of the main male character, a playful and convincing camerawork around sports-, music- and everyday life. The well written script brings us very naturally close to the challenges of the society and especially the youth of those days. The film is, without any extra effort, able to tell about the timeless questions of young people concerning love, friends, family and the difficulty of decision making."
The Award for the Best Baltic Director was given to Laurynas Bareiša, for Drowning Dry.
The jury commented as follows: "This film is a masterly controlled drama, where the fragmented structure, outstanding acting, calibrated use of music and images heighten the sense of tragedy that is lurking until finally revealed. The viewers are forced out of their comfort zone, as the director plays with time and space, without losing the core of the storyline. A rare and engrossing cinematic experience."
CRITICS' PICKS COMPETITON
The jury, led by Miroslav Mogorovic, handed out two prizes and one special mention.
Best Film Award went to The Brothers Kitaura , and is shared between Masaki Tsujino (director), Masaaki Nakano, Masaki Tsujino (producers). The jury said: "For the honesty and simplicity of this two brother tale, and making us laugh. Maybe providing us with a recipe for turbulent times. For a film without any pretentions, nor moral judgements, and yet a film that dares to stay true to its simple core idea. Sometimes cinema can make the unseen seen. And we hope this film, will be seen and make people laugh."
The Award for the Best Director went to Dechen Roder for her I, The Song. The jury praises Roder for "Making a film like an endless chorus, where echoes and reflections collide. Resonating melodies from the past into modern times, for taking us to unforeseen places not knowing if we are looking into the mirror or if we are looking at the real world. A strong voice from who we expect to hear more in the future."
Special mention by the jury went to Javier Cutrona's Fishgirl . The jury wanted to highlight the film "For it’s highly original, visual approach and well build cinema experience. Dealing complicated life topics in places you might not expect. We believe in the filmmakers’ talent to create beautiful films in the future but also want to reward the team surrounding him."
REBELS WITH A CAUSE COMPETITION
The jury, led by Marica Stocchi, praised two films.
The Award for The Best Film went to Protected Men, by Irene von Alberti. The jury explained their choice with the following words: "An accessible film that immediately unravels the harsh reality of violence against women as the simplest of premises. When the male sexual desire is a threat towards men’s lives instead of women’s. Injecting comedy and satire as the antidote to the temptation of power that blinds us to the extreme consequences of unresolved hatred."
The Best Director Award went to Ruiqi Lu for her Contact Lens. The jury gave the award "For its meticulous research on the meta-visual and for its aesthetic precision. A director that forces you to reflect on the multiple layers of between the relationship of the viewer and the object trapped in the frame. A director who is brave enough to make us all feel uncomfortable by refusing to conform to traditional storylines but still shaping the film into a harmonious whole."
DOC@PÖFF COMPETITION
The first-ever Doc@PÖFF jury was led by Tinatin Gurchiani, and handed out three prizes. The jury stated: "As the jury, we were honored to be part of the inaugural documentary competition at PÖFF. It was an intense and inspiring experience, brimming with remarkable cinema spanning a wide array of styles and perspectives. We want to express our deep admiration for all the filmmakers, and we also chose to use this platform to champion emerging voices in the industry."
The Award for the Best Film went to Victoire Bonin's Lou de Pontavice's The Watchman. "The jury of the Docs@POFF competition is proud to award the Best Film prize to a documentary that beautifully captures themes of distance, longing, and hope through the quiet resilience of its characters. This film approaches the choices made in pursuit of a different future with patience and sensitivity, highlighting the delicate relationships that support these decisions. It also powerfully portrays the challenges of migration while maintaining a deep connection to one's roots," said the jury.
The Best Cinematography award went to Linas Žiūra, for his work in Murmuring Hearts, directed by Vytautas Puidokas. The jury commented on their choice with the following words: "The jury decided to award the Best Cinematography prize to a picture that uses the camera with deep sensitivity and tenderness towards its vulnerable protagonist. The camera gazes tenderly and patiently into his eyes, drawing a universal story about the fragility of a young man. It is a picture that surprises with its unforced beauty and is an important cry for help that cannot be answered with indifference. The award for best cinematography goes to Linas Žiūra for Murmuring Hearts."
Takashi Sugimoto's Black Gold scooped the jury Special Prize.
The jury gave the award "For a film that deviates from traditional storytelling, capturing spaces and rhythms in a poetic manner, and portraying a society through the lens of intimate details, allowing the audience to engage with its captivating imagery, the jury has decided to award a Special Mention to Black Gold by Takashi Sugimoto."
AUDIENCE AWARD
The cinema audiences of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival voted Vinod Kapri's Pyre as their favourite. The film is a melancholic ballad of an undying love in a dying land.
FIPRESCI AWARD
International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award was given to Yerome Yoo's Mongrels.The jury commented on their decision with the following words: "Under Yoo's skillful handling of multiple story lines, what could have been a run-of-the-mill evocation of the hardships of emigration, becomes a thoughtful meditation on the nature of grief, and in particular grief experienced in childhood. The film's representation of the relations between dogs and humans (closer than you might think) is strikingly original. Its underlying logic is emotional and poetic, and there are images in the film that will be lodged in the memory long after Yoo has embarked on his second feature."
The pre-announced Dennis Davidson's Spotlight Award was given to Farah Nabulsi's The Teacher.
The award is PÖFF's tribute to Dennis Davidson, founder of DDA, the global communications and marketing agency. For a long time, DDA has believed in the importance of film festivals recognising and putting emerging talent on the map. The award recognises artists whose recent work has contributed to improving diversity, inclusion and representation in the cinematic arts.
OFFICIAL SELECTION - COMPETITION
Jury: Christoph Hochhäusler, Bianca Balbuena, Tomas Vengris, Marija Razgutė, Jawad Rhalib
Grand Prix for the Best Film (Grant of 20,000 euros from the city of Tallinn, shared by the Director and Producer): Silent City Driver, 2024, Mongolia, director: Sengedorj Janchivdorj, prod. Ganbaatar Narantsetseg, Naranbat Bayasgalan, Bold Ganbat.
Best Director (Grant of 5,000 euros from Alexela): Pink Lady, 2024, Israel, Italy; director: Nir Bergman.
Best Cinematography (Grant of 1,000 euros from Cramo): Claudia Becerril Bulos for Empire Of The Rabbits, 2024, Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon; director: Seyfettin Tokmak.
Best Script: Seyfettin Tokmak for Empire Of The Rabbits, 2024, Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon; director: Seyfettin Tokmak.
Best Actor: Hyo Je LEE for The Loop, 2024, South Korea, director: Sang Beom Koo.
Best Actress(es): Pirjo Lonka, Elina Knihtilä for 100 Liters Of Gold, 2024, Finland, Italy, director: Teemu Nikki.
Best Original Score: Alyana Cabral, Moe Cabral for Some Nights I Feel Like Walking, 2024, Philippines, Singapore, Italy, director: Petersen Vargas.
Best Production Design: Munkhbat Shirnen for Silent City Driver, 2024, Mongolia, director: Sengedorj Janchivdorj.
FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION
Jury: John Durie, Daniel Green, Carles Torras, Karolin Jürise
Best Film Award (Grant of 5,000 euros from R-Kiosk shared by the Director and Producer): No Dogs Allowed, 2024, Germany, director: Steve Bache, producers: Marcos Kantis, Martin Lehwald, Felix Ruple.
Best Director: A Yard Of Jackals, 2024, Chile, Spain; director: Diego Figueroa.
Jury Special Prize for the Cast: Sein Jin, Jae-Hyun Kim, Da-Nu Nam, Candyce Weir, Jedd Sharp, Morgan Derera, Sangbum Kang for Mongrels, 2024, Canada, director: Jerome Yoo.
Jury Special Prize for the Director: Ciao Bambino, 2024, Italy, director: Edgardo Pistone
BALTIC FILM COMPETITION
Jury: Mikko Fritze, Annika Pham, Fernando E. Juan Lima
Best Baltic Film Award (Grant of 5,000 euros from Piletilevi, shared by the Director and Producer): Southern Chronicles, 2024, Lithuania, Estonia; director: Ignas Miškinis, producers: Lukas Trimonis
Best Director: Drowning Dry, 2024, Latvia, Lithuania;
director: Laurynas Bareiša
CRITICS' PICKS COMPETITION
Jury: Miroslav Mogorovic, Gust Van Der Berghe, Elisa Fernarda Pirir
Best Film Award (shared by the Director and Producer): The Brothers Kitaura, 2024, Japan; director: Masaki Tsujino, producers: Masaaki Nakano, Masaki Tsujino.
Best Director Award: I, The Song, 2024, Bhutan, Norway, Italy, France;
director: Dechen Roder.
Jury Special Mention: Fishgirl, 2024, Ecuador; director: Javier Cutrona
REBELS WITH A CAUSE COMPETITION
Jury: Marica Stocchi, Bradley Liew, Marko Raat
Best Film Award (shared by the Director and Producer): Protected Men, 2024, Germany; director: Irene von Alberti; producer: Frieder Schlaich.
Best Director: Contact Lens, 2024, China; director: Ruiqi Lu.
DOC@PÖFF COMPETITION
Jury: Tinatin Gurchiani, Kacper Czubak, Carlos E. Lesmes
Best Film Award (for the Director): The Watchman, 2024, France, Belgium, directors: Victoire Bonin, Lou de Pontavice
Best Cinematographer: Linas Žiūra for Murmuring Hearts, 2024, Lithuania, France; director: Vytautas Puidokas.
Jury Special Prize: Black Gold, 2024, Portugal, director: Takashi Sugimoto.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS (FIPRESCI) AWARD
Jury: Bernard Besserglik, Rita Di Santo, Ralf Sauter
Mongrels, 2024, Canada, director: Jerome Yoo
AUDIENCE AWARD (GRANT OF 3000 EUROS)
Pyre, 2024, India, director: Vinod Kapri
Click here to see previously announced PÖFF Shorts sub-festival awards
JUST FILM #YOUNGFILMMAKER AWARD
40 Days For Inge
Director: Betra Käsper
Estonia, 2024
JUST FILM TODDLER’S JURY BEST FILM AWARD
Niko - Beyond the Northern Light
Director: Kari Juusonen
Finland, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, 2024
Jury comment: This film taught us about friendship, kindness, teamwork, and the importance of always being there to help your friends!
JUST FILM CHILDREN’S BEST FILM AWARD
I Accidentally Wrote A Book!
Director: Nóra Lakos
Hungary, Holland, 2024
Jury comment: This film was beautifully made, the story resonated deeply and touched on several important themes, teaching us the value of pursuing our dreams.
JUST FILM YOUTH JURY BEST FILM AWARD
Kontra
Director: Jonas Risvig
Denmark, 2024
Jury comment: We watched 11 films, each unique and captivating in its own way, but one of them grabbed our attention from the very first frames and held it until the end credits. This is a film that knows how to speak to young people while standing out for its artistic qualities, acting, and visuals. That film is Kontra.
Jury special mention:
Rolling Papers
Director: Meel Paliale
Estonia, 2024
Jury comment: A deeply realistic and heartfelt film, where the dialogues between the characters felt logical, sincere, and incredibly genuine. Leaving the theater, it left a warm feeling inside.
JUST FILM ECFA AWARD
Living Large
Director: Kristina Dufková
Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, 2024
Jury comment: The ECFA-Jury awards Living Large by Kristina Dufková for its outstanding technical quality, beautiful stop-motion animation, and deeply detailed storytelling that captures the universal yet highly personal journey of transitioning from childhood to youth. The film’s authentic depiction of feeling strange in one’s own body, paired with its mix of humor, heart, and realism, creates a profound connection with audiences. Its European storytelling style, relatable characters, and supportive relationships emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and speaking up for oneself, making it a must-watch for children and young audiences. Living Large is a testament to the power of being yourself, with a main character who inspires strength, empathy, and positivity.
JUST FILM GRAND PRIX
Jury: Diana Iljine, Koen Mortier, Tanel Toom
Kontra
Director: Jonas Risvig
Denmark, 2024
Jury comment: Just Film’s Grand Prix goes to a film that boldly asks: How strong can you be? How strong can you remain when confronted with a group you desperately wish to belong to—one that refuses to let you in?
This remarkable work explores the fragility of status and belonging, challenging us to consider: Is it better to have one real, genuine friend or a circle of peers who offer only superficial acceptance? Through its vibrant and emotional storytelling, nuanced performances, immersive sound design, and masterful direction, this unforgettable film captivated us from start to finish, reminding us of the power of authenticity and the cost of conformity.
Additional awards:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
#1 Peeter Simm
#2 Lana Gogoberidze
BRUNO O'YA YOUNG ACTOR SCHOLARSHIP
Märten Metsaviir