Brand new films by well-established filmmakers, representing the geographical, thematic and stylistic diversity of the cinematic art. Only world and international premieres.

The first films of promising young talents, representing youthful vivacity, questing ideas and unexpected viewpoints – the future of cinematic art. Only world and international premieres.

A window into untold stories, unfiltered truths, and intimate glimpses of the world around us. Powerful, real-life tales that captivate and inspire – more gripping than fiction. Only world and international premieres.

The newest currents in the art of film through the eyes of a film critic. For a demanding palate. Only world and international premieres.

Films produced in a more experimental format or carrying a more rebellious message from all over the world. Testing the boundaries of the cinematic art. Only world, international or European premieres.

The best of Estonian, Latvia and Lithuanian film, assessed by international experts.

Films which carry the spirit of the competition programme but have been screened at other festivals.

New films by renowned authors closely related to the history of PÖFF, which are important for us, but have already been screened at some other festivals.

Films which represent a more experimental format or a more rebellious message from all over the world, which have already been screened at other festivals.

A film from the focus programme to symbolically introduce the Festival.

Films, the authors of which have a special meaning for the Festival.

70 years of German film success. A selection of recent and older films celebrating the 70th anniversary of German Films, the German film export agency, and the 25th anniversary of the Goethe Institute in Estonia.

A tribute to Georgia's independent filmmakers who stand for a free society and democratic values.

Crème de la crème of the art of film of the world. Films that have already premiered or won awards at other prestigious festivals.

A selection of the year’s most acclaimed documentaries, screened and awarded at top festivals. Powerful, unforgettable stories – a must-see for lovers of real-life storytelling.

True cinematography through the eyes of critics. Iconic works selected by the prestigious Screen International.

Films from near and far, restored and brought back to life, with a focus on the heritage of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and other Baltic countries. Strong and independent female heroes in action, plus Italian neo-realist gems and Georgian masterpieces. The highlight is a concert screening of the 1930 adventure film “Waves of Passion”.

The climate is warming. The environment is changing. PÖFF is highlighting it.

Sports and film – more than just a sports film. The Estonian Olympic Committee presents.

Science is fascinating. Science is wonderful. Current problems facing humanity from the perspective of science. Supported by the Estonian Research Council.

Not just about the war. Some of the most interesting recent films about and from Ukraine – from black comedy to science fiction, not to mention documentaries. Dedicated to the Ukrainians who are determined to defend their right to decide their own future.

A tribute to Georgia's independent filmmakers who stand for a free society and democratic values.

From dark dystopian satire to accountability for events in Ukraine – Belarusian resistance filmmakers in action. In collaboration with the Belarusian independent film festival Northern Lights.

Over-the-top fantasy spree. The best of recent horror, fantasy and B Category films.

The first-ever TV Beats Screening Day showcases first episodes of five outstanding drama series to sales agents, distributors, and local series and film industry professionals. For seasoned series lovers outside the film industry, tickets are available at Piletilevi.

Just Film’s International Youth Competition brings along new and fascinating films from all over the world. This year’s programme is very broad in topics and geographically as well. Just Film’s Grand Prix will be handed out by the members of the International Jury and the Youth Jury.

With the ECFA Award, ECFA both gives special attention to quality films for a young audience and shines a spotlight on European children’s films. A number of European children & youth film festivals, all members of ECFA, are selected annually to host an ECFA jury and vote for the ECFA Award for their particular festival. Each festival adds their winning film to a shortlist of nominated films, competing for the overall award. The final vote is open to all ECFA members, choosing the ‘Best European Children’s Film of the Year’. The award is handed out during the International Filmfestival Berlin – Berlinale. The ECFA Award was launched in 2011. There is no money prize connected to the ECFA Award. However, it is the only European children’s film award given out by professionals so the value and prestige of this award can’t be underestimated.

Children’s Competition Programme is prepared for film-viewers aged 10-13, their parents, and grandparents. This programme offers young PÖFF wolves the best selection of family films created during the year. Some of the programme’s films are dubbed into Estonian.

Juniors' Competition Programme is prepared for the youngest film-viewers, their parents and grandparents. The programme brings to the viewers joyful fairytales and many funny and unexpected adventures. Some of the programme’s films are dubbed into Estonian.

The Youth Programme is an overview of this year’s prime youth films that have already received a lot of attention all over the world.

Children’s Competition Programme is prepared for film-viewers aged 10-13, their parents, and grandparents. This programme offers young PÖFF wolves the best selection of family films created during the year. Some of the programme’s films are dubbed into Estonian.

Just Film’s Children’s Rights Programme consists of films that address children’s and young people’s lives. All the films talk about children and young people who are still discovering the world and themselves. Often they are faced with difficult decisions in life. Some are lucky enough to get help from their parents, but others have to stand alone. The young are happy and proud about their achievements but also feel sadness when they fail. The Children's Rights Programme is put together by the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Affairs, Social Insurance Board and Estonian Union for Child Welfare. The Children’s Rights Programme will run at the Just Film Festival for the 13th year.

Just Film documentary programme consists of films about sports, including extreme sports, music, dance, social media and current events, trends of the world. Discover the world through documentaries!

This year, for the first time, audiences will have a chance to experience the fascinating world of anime in a special programme. Anime opens the doors to a unique art form that combines deep stories, powerful emotions and an extraordinary visual aesthetic. The anime programme offers a wide range of experiences – from fantasy worlds to the depths of the human soul. Our ambition is to show how anime can inspire, touch and take viewers on new journeys of reflection.

The International Live Action Competition of 2024 take all the old clichés about the short film medium, grabs them by the scruff of the neck and takes them behind the back of the cinema for a good kicking. The short is not the sole domain of those practising before a ‘real film’. Neither is it is an exercise in style over substance. Great shorts pulsate with energy, with inventiveness and creativity often unbound by the restraints of commercialism. With both a insouciant wink and a bold disregard for convention, a short tells us as much about the world and ourselves in 10 minutes than many features can manage in 2 hours. This year’s competition mixes upcoming and provocative voices with more established names whose work proves that the short to feature paradigm doesn’t necessarily always flow in one direction. The films, of all genres, deal with subjects both timely and historical – love, death, war, motherhood, sex and everything else that makes the world go round. But all do so in a myriad of different ways as they showcase not only the power of cinema, but the genius of the medium of short films.

Animation is the art of transformation, and this year's animation competition shorts again transform the personal and the familiar to the universal and the unpredictable. Animation directors are more and more daring to mix styles and themes; a personal family album becomes an experimental memory trace, and overtourism is debated in a semi-fantastic, semi-real sea environment. Time and space change in animation (the number of experimental animation works here testify to that); but still, films and their directors don't shy away from contemporary, traumatic topics -whose news coverage is all over our screens. The old-time familiar issues (e.g. personal relationships, family) are here looked upon in a meticulously twisted angle. Exploitation in the work environment has risen to be the well-placed focus of a number of animation shorts in our programme. Whether in 2D, 3D, stop-motion, or any other technique variation, expect a welcome transformation of our ordinary world perception.

This year's New Talents Live Action collection offers a remarkable showcase of young artists exploring connection, separation, loss, and redemption with surprising sincerity. These new voices seek that "aha" moment, piecing together fragments of broken lives into a coherent whole. Whether through the recognition of one’s fragility, the sweeping vortex of first love, or a nostalgia for something lost that seemed to be the stock of air in your lungs, these short films capture raw emotions that make life worth living. With unique cinematic styles, the films tell profoundly human stories of heroes searching for meaning and connection, revealing raw, heartfelt moments of clarity.

There is a heightened awareness these days, about boundaries. We are told to set them for our own good - they help us avoid discomfort, and create spaces through which we can contextualise the world. They also, however, can limit us. In the 2024 New Talents selection, the limitless nature of animation is used to highlight and cut across the boundaries between creation and destruction, the concrete and the abstract, the past and the present, ourselves and other people. Many films focus on the boundary between parent and child -will our parents understand our desire to bloom? Will they be alright without us? Will they ever stop braiding our hair so tightly? Other films dwell on our bodies. The temples, prisons, and vessels that present a boundary between us and the world we live in, one which we often transcend. The line between real and unreal vanishes, the spaces around us break down and reform, we weave between memories, and buried desires get pulled to the surface like a carrot.

This year's Kids Animation Competition offers stories from real life that all of us can relate to. Whether we have been imprisoned by our smartphones and lost all connection to the outside world, or we are yearning for attention from the people closest to us, or we are living with people who a need different kind of love and affection. Another thing that plays an important role is nature. Living in harmony with nature and caring for it. Even when things become difficult, you can't lose hope. In addition, there are also humorous stories of families, animals and fantasy that speak of vacationing, friendship and feelings. These films make you think, laugh, and experience exciting virtual worlds.

In a year in which Estonian shorts have had a relatively high profile on the international circuit, it is perhaps appropriate that the 2024 edition of the National Competition is proverbially ‘stuffed to the gills’. Displaying a depth of talent and mastery of the cinematic form, the films take the uniqueness of the Estonian ‘spirit’ and tell stories that speak to everyone from across the world. As always many of the films emanate from the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University – with plenty of directors originating from outside of Estonia. Whilst the aforementioned Estonian spirit still runs strong within them, these different voices also speak to the continuing diversity of Estonia and of the stories that are told. Whilst fiction and documentary are well represented, the large number of Estonian animation films on offer renew the globally visible Estonian tradition and pass the torch from established creators to new, pertinent voices, many of which are authored by students at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Rebellious short films that explore creativity through a bold, experimental, and often surreal lens.

Doc@Shorts programme is about to take you on another journey into the many forms of creativity, resilience, and transformation. The three cassettes in the programme explore the profound connections between art, identity, and community, showcasing how individual stories resonate far beyond their origins. From the rhythmic labor of Basque weavers merging tradition with the sea's mystery, to a buried album, each film reflects the deep synergy between memory, location, and future. We witness powerful stories of community, from a small Chicago suburb rallying to save a beloved resident’s home to the secret life of a metro driver in a concrete jungle. While the Animated Documentaries take us beyond time, blending narration with metaphorical realms, from isolation to nostalgic and relatable experiences. Through these films, our ability to observe becomes a vital tool for illustrating how creativity, growth, emotional and physical transitions ripple outward and shape lives around us in a way that no other art form can.

Panorama offers the broadest view of the world through short films that offer moments of recognition, challenges, and inspiration.

There are times we have to change the way we move forward. With clever genre shorts, quality dance films and unexpected perspectives to the world around us, the Alternatives is a fun and fearless exploration of how far, low, deep and weird we can go.

In a programme that fuels and recharges, you will find refreshing comedies, short horror stories and a lot of madness.