Twenty-four films, 21 world premieres and new voices from around the world: this year’s Official and First Feature Competitions bring together established filmmakers and promising debut directors. Filmmakers representing every selected title will join audiences in Tallinn, with competition screenings taking place from 13–19 November during the festival’s 30th edition.
Bringing together established filmmakers and emerging voices from around the world, the two competitions reflect PÖFF’s commitment to powerful storytelling and the discovery of new talent.
The lineup represents 15 countries, including co-production partners. European productions come from Switzerland, Hungary, Ireland, Estonia, Spain, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, while Latin American cinema is represented by Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru. Films from Iran, Türkiye and Kazakhstan further broaden the selection’s geographical reach.
The films explore coming of age, family relationships and pressing social issues through distinctive perspectives. Strong mother figures recur throughout the selection, revealing tensions between love, responsibility, loyalty and independence.
“Discovery is at the heart of PÖFF’s Official Competition. This year, we bring together established directors and filmmakers making their second features, creating a space where very different cinematic perspectives can meet,” said Triin Tramberg, Artistic Director of PÖFF. “The films are diverse in geography, style and subject, but they share a strong sense of storytelling and a desire to look at familiar things from an unexpected angle. For me, that is what makes festival cinema exciting: you come looking for one thing and leave having discovered something you didn’t know you were looking for.”
The Official Competition jury will be led by two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Sir Christopher Hampton. He will be joined by Lebanese producer Myriam Sassine, American cinematographer and visual effects specialist David Stump, French producer Julie Billy and Estonian actress Tiina Tauraite.
The Grand Prix for Best Film in the Official Selection Competition will receive a €20,000 grant from the City of Tallinn.
The First Feature Competition presents 12 debut features, comprising nine world premieres and three international premieres. Selected from more than 400 submissions from 86 countries, all films will compete for the Best Debut Film Award.
Representing 19 countries, including co-production partners, the lineup brings together films from across Europe, alongside productions from the United States, Iran, Israel, Taiwan, the Philippines, Türkiye and Latin America.
“With this competition, we wanted to draw on PÖFF’s global reach to reflect a multifaceted and complex cinematic world, while ensuring that every film could connect emotionally with our audiences,” said Malaika Bova, curator of the First Feature Competition. “The 12 selected films bring together wildly original stories, exciting debut directors and standout acting talent.”
The Best Film Award in the First Feature Competition will receive a €5,000 grant from Tegos.
Starting from 07 October the tickets are available at poff.ee for both published competition programmes.
Photo: Still from No Me Without You