The heart of the festival, hosting up to 10 films including Baltic and international premieres, as well as the finest selection from well-known festivals (Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Venice etc) and important genre hubs (SXSW, Neuchâtel, Sitges, Austin Fantastic Fest etc) across the globe.

The programme brings together tense and sombre stories in which the characters find themselves in situations that test their sense of reality, morals and survival instincts. The sci-fi-influenced worlds of “Kill Ada” collide with deeply personal tragedies in “Tiny Coffin”, while “Breathwork” and “God Is Shy” explore the invisible and inexplicable intrusion into everyday reality. Several stories, such as “Stretcher” and “Like Father, Like Son?”, depict rising tension in confined spaces and intense human relationships where control slips away and the truth becomes inevitable. A common theme is the atmosphere of anxiety and psychological pressure that the characters experience as they face something far greater than themselves, whether it’s technology, grief, fear or the past.

The Méliès D’Argent short film programme showcases a diverse selection of European shorts, united by bold genre experimentation and profound exploration of the human experience. Weaving together science fiction, horror, dark humour and drama, these stories range from mystical folklore and time travel to bleak visions of the future, existential questions and moral dilemmas. The characters grapple with loss, desire, guilt, hope and identity, whether they are a grieving parent, a rebellious youth or an exiled angel.

A feel-good guarantee of up to 8 films including Estonian classics, Soviet oddities and forgotten B-films from all over the world.

Not for the faint-hearted. The freak film programme finds the funniest and scariest no-budget masterpieces, highlights overlooked gems and films that are rarely seen at cinemas. Up to 3 films.

Rare or otherwise noteworthy films that we believe deserve their moment in the spotlight.

HÕFF’s festive opening ceremony with an opening film — a symbolic start to the festival.

A mini-retrospective to celebrate the centenary of Roger Corman’s birth captures a small yet significant cross-section of his body of work, through which he definitively established himself as one of the most important figures in cinema.

It’s becoming impossible to keep track of all the ultra-violent action thrillers that have recently emerged from this exotic Central Asian country. They’re gory and raw, but that’s not all – they also tackle powerful social issues rooted in Kazakhstani reality, such as corruption, crime and gender discrimination. Here are our top picks of Kazakhstan's new wave.