The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is back with a powerful lineup of documentaries, sparking conversations and challenging perspectives! But this year, there's a twist that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.
War, Politics, and Female Ambition: A Cinematic Exploration
The 2025 edition of the festival, also known as PÖFF, has announced its documentary selections for the Doc@PÖFF International and Baltic competitions. For the first time, Baltic documentaries and feature films will compete separately, adding a new layer of excitement to the festival.
"From family dynamics to global conflicts, these documentaries traverse diverse themes and locations," the organizers revealed. But here's where it gets intriguing: "They shine a light on women who defy societal norms and pursue their dreams against all odds." A bold statement, indeed!
Curator Marianna Kaat elaborates, "Doc@PÖFF showcases films that are not just thought-provoking but also visually captivating. These documentaries challenge our perceptions and remind us that reality can be more captivating than fiction."
A Diverse Jury for International and Baltic Competitions
The International Competition jury features renowned producer Tania El Khoury, founder of two esteemed film production companies, alongside Estonian producer Marianne Ostrat and German filmmaker Daniel Abma, known for his documentary prowess.
Meanwhile, the Baltic competition jury boasts Ana Fernández Saiz, a Spanish documentary consultant and sales agency founder based in the U.K., as well as Pamela Cohn, a curator and journalist, and Koen Suidgeest, a Dutch filmmaker and educator.
The Full Documentary Lineup:
Doc@PÖFF International Competition:
- Days of Wonder (Finland) by Karin Pennanen
- Edge of the Night (Estonia) by Vladimir Loginov
- Electing Miss Santa (Moldova, Romania) by Raisa Răzmeriță
- Far Away (Turkey) by Tayfur Aydın
- The Feast of the Wolf (Croatia, Serbia) by Jadran Boban
- Goodbye Sisters (France, Nepal) by Alexander Murphy
- It's Winter (Iran, France) by Sajad Imani
- The Lunch: A Letter to America (Italy, USA) by Gianluca Vassallo
- Miss Jobson (Spain, Jamaica) by Amanda Sans Pantling
- One Day I Wish to See You Happy (Ukraine, France) by Maryna Nikolcheva
Doc@PÖFF Baltic Competition:
- A Goodnight Kiss (Lithuania, Estonia) by Giedrė Žickytė
- BIX Almost Nirvana (Lithuania) by Emilis Vėlyvis
- Happiness Is Living in Our Land (Estonia) by Indrek Spungin
- Holy Destructors (Lithuania, France) by Aistė Žegulytė
- Laguna (France, Lithuania) by Sharunas Bartas
- The Last Will (Lithuania) by Jānis Ābele
- Lost Stars of the Horoscope (Estonia) by Katrina Lehismäe
- My Family and Other Clowns (Estonia) by Heilika Pikkov and Liina Särkinen
- Not Made for Politics (Belarus) by Volia Chajkouskaya
- Scarecrows (Latvia, Lithuania) by Laila Pakalnina
- I'm Time to the Target (Latvia, Czechia, Ukraine) by Vitaly Mansky
And this is the part most people miss: How will these documentaries challenge societal norms and inspire change? Are they a reflection of our world or a catalyst for transformation? Share your thoughts below!
