Tallinn Film Fest Unveils Eclectic Lineup, Spotlighting Emerging Talents

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), one of the biggest festivals in Northern Europe, has announced its main competition and first feature lineups for its 29th edition, set to run from November 7-23, 2025.

In the main competition, the festival will showcase 16 world premieres and 1 international premiere from 16 countries, with filmmakers such as Abu Bakr Shawky, Júlia de Paz Solvas, and Jun Robles Lana vying for the €20,000 ($23,000) main prize. The jury, led by Macedonian filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska, will also evaluate entries from established names like Petter Næss and Thomas Stuber.

Notably, the festival has highlighted several political satires that are expected to resonate with audiences, including "Versalles" from Mexico and the Norwegian comedy drama "No Comment." These films tackle timely issues like political grandeur and the challenges faced by government leaders.

In the First Feature Competition, the festival has selected 9 world premieres and 4 international premieres from 12 countries, showcasing bold and unconventional debuts that explore themes ranging from coming-of-age stories to psychological dramas. Standout titles include the Norwegian film "My First Love" and the Danish "Hercules Falling," featuring acclaimed actor Dar Salim.

Overall, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's 2025 lineup promises to be a diverse and thought-provoking celebration of global cinema, offering audiences a unique opportunity to discover emerging talents and engage with timely social and political narratives.