The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is proud to have received A-list classification from the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF). The announcement follows the most significant reform of FIAPF’s accreditation process since 2007.

With this recognition, Tallinn Black Nights joins 17 of the world’s leading film festivals officially classified as “A-list” events including the long-established competitive festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno, and San Sebastián.

The full list of accredited festivals by FIAPF now includes 49 festivals around the world, including the 17 that have received the A-list classification.

The A-list distinction is reserved for festivals demonstrating the highest international impact FIAPF determines this through detailed analysis of each festival’s film selection and submission data, including the number of films submitted and the proportion of international entries. The evaluation also considers industry engagement—such as professional attendance, media presence, and press coverage—as well as audience metrics including admissions, occupancy rates, and audience development strategies.

FIAPF’s Redesigned Model for an Ever-Evolving Sector

FIAPF’s revised framework introduces a streamlined, forward-looking accreditation system designed to reflect the evolving needs of both festivals and the film industry. It replaces the previous four-category structure with a single unified list and takes an agnostic approach to programming, removing distinctions based on format, genre, or curatorial model.

The new system also reinforces trust and collaboration between festivals and the industry, as well as among festivals themselves, in line with FIAPF’s long-standing standards of quality and reliability. Accredited festivals will now provide annual quantitative and qualitative data highlighting their contribution to films and the wider industry.

For festivals, the framework offers clearer recognition of their role and impact, while for industry professionals, it provides a more accessible overview of the global festival landscape.

Learn more: https://fiapfcloud.egnyte.com/dl/BfG8bxpydmgD

Submissions for the 30th Edition of PÖFF Are Now Open

Following this recognition, the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is now officially open for submissions. Since 12 March, filmmakers can submit their films to the festival’s programmes, including its two sub-festivals: Just Film, dedicated to youth and children’s cinema, and PÖFF Shorts, showcasing outstanding animation and short films.

Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their work and become part of one of the leading film festivals in the international festival circuit.

Submit your film here:
https://poff.ee/en/news/submissions-for-poff-30-are-open-now/