The partnership between the Estonian Olympic Committee (EOC) and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) began in 2013. Since then, sports films have had a place in the festival's programme, with the EOC also contributing to the selection of films.

Over the years, we have also organised discussions alongside film screenings, bringing people together to reflect on the themes explored on screen. After all, while competition results can be captured in a table, years of hard work and pushing beyond one's limits cannot. Sports films help bring these stories to audiences.

Sports films offer a glimpse into athletes' lives beyond the field of play. We see what drives them, how they cope with setbacks and what happens when life as they know it is suddenly turned upside down. These stories resonate with all of us because overcoming defeat, doubting our own abilities and finding the courage to start again are experiences that extend far beyond sport. Through sports films, the EOC aims to broaden people's understanding of what elite sport truly demands and the lasting impact it can have on a person's life.

We also want to encourage Estonian filmmakers to tell more stories about our athletes. Estonia's sporting history is full of remarkable people and events that have the potential to become films for international audiences. Many of these stories deserve to be preserved and passed on to future generations.

This year's PÖFF presents its largest sports film programme ever, featuring a total of nine films. Never before in the festival's history has there been such an extensive selection of sports films. This shows that sports stories are gaining an increasingly prominent place in cinema and that PÖFF has become a valued platform where sports filmmakers aspire to showcase their work.

And, of course, we hope that some of these films will inspire viewers to take up sport themselves or see sport from a different perspective. Either way, the film will have made a difference.

Warning: Sports films may leave you feeling inspired!

Learn more about the Estonian Olympic Committee and its activities on their website: https://www.eok.ee/en