Tallinn Film Fest Spotlights Emerging Auteur Voices in 2025

The 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), running from November 7-23, 2025, is set to be a celebration of emerging auteur voices and cinematic discovery. The festival will feature a jam-packed lineup of world premieres, the latest auteur cinema from the Baltic region and beyond, as well as a curated selection of films from the Catalan region of Spain and a spotlight on Austrian cinema.

Inspired by the growing international acclaim of Catalan cinema, PÖFF will include the likes of Oliver Laxe's Cannes hit and Spanish Oscar contender Sirât, as well as Carlos Marques-Marcet's tragicomic musical film They Will Be Dust, which will open the festival. The Austrian cinema spotlight will showcase the work of filmmakers beyond the well-known names of Michael Haneke and Ulrich Seidl, including Jessica Hausner, Abu Bakr Shawky, Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, and Johanna Moder.

In addition to the diverse film program, PÖFF has also introduced a new Baltic documentary competition this year, further expanding its offerings. The festival's industry section, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, continues to grow, with a focus on the increasingly blurry line between the small screen and the big screen.

Despite the political pressures facing some festivals, PÖFF remains committed to artistic independence and discovery. Festival director Tiina Lokk emphasizes the festival's goal to give a voice to filmmakers fighting for human and democratic values, while maintaining a balanced program that includes films from various countries, including Israel and Palestine.