As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) will host the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP) from 9–12 November 2026 in Tallinn, Estonia.

WCSFP is the leading international forum for science, history, and factual storytelling across platforms. Each year, it brings together nearly 600 professionals from over 30 countries – including producers, broadcasters, commissioners, distributors, streamers, scientists, and digital creators – to exchange ideas, explore emerging editorial and market trends, and celebrate excellence in factual programming. The event attracts key decision-makers from organizations such as National Geographic, BBC Studios, Discovery, PBS, NHK, France Télévisions, Netflix, CuriosityStream, TikTok, YouTube, and Ubisoft.

“As we mark our 30th anniversary, we are proud to partner with WCSFP to connect global industry leaders with our national creative sector,” said Tiina Lokk, Director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). “PÖFF and its industry arm Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event have built a respected international reputation. As part of its extensive programme, the festival presents Doc@PÖFF’s International and Baltic Competitions alongside outstanding documentaries. We hope WCSFP delegates leave with new partnerships, fresh perspectives, and ideas that resonate globally,” Lokk adds.

“We’re thrilled to bring WCSFP and its unique community to Tallinn this year and to partner with PÖFF. We share the same passion for collaboration and innovation in our industry,” said Patrick Hörl, Chair of the WCSFP Board. As Estonia is recognised as one of the world’s most advanced digital societies, the location provides a distinctive setting that reflects WCSFP’s focus on innovation, technology, and the evolving ways factual content is created, shared, and experienced across platforms.

The editorial vision for WCSFP 2026 will be led by a recently appointed Editorial Director Sara Ramsden addressing key challenges facing the industry – from the impact of AI to tightening budgets and schedules. The programme will bring together established voices alongside leading YouTubers, podcasters, and a new generation of digital creators, exploring innovative ways to develop and deliver impactful factual stories. A highly respected creative leader, Ramsden brings decades of experience from roles at Love Productions, the BBC, Sky, Endemol, and Channel 4, where she spent over 15 years as Commissioning Editor for Science.

“I’m very excited to be curating WCSFP,” said Ramsden. “Our industry is at a turning point, and we need honest discussion to inspire fresh thinking. I want to attract the next generation of creators and explore new ways of telling important stories. WCSFP should be the place where we take creative risks and make storytelling truly unmissable.”

The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to science, history, and natural history storytelling. Previous editions have been held in cities including Rio de Janeiro, Marrakesh, Seattle, Glasgow, Tokyo, and Melbourne, among others. More information is available at www.wcsfp.com.