Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) – Estonia 2025

Background & History

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), launched in 1996, is Northern Europe’s only FIAPF-accredited competitive feature film festival, joining the ranks of Cannes, Berlin, and Venice as one of 15 A-category festivals globally. Held annually in Tallinn, with sidebar screenings in Tartu, PÖFF showcases ~250 feature films and ~300 shorts from 80+ countries, attracting ~93,000 visitors and 1,700+ accredited guests in 2024. It promotes Estonian and Baltic cinema while presenting a diverse global selection, emphasizing world and international premieres.

The festival’s honeycomb structure includes sub-festivals Just Film (youth/children’s films) and PÖFF Shorts (shorts/animations), alongside Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, the region’s largest film industry platform. PÖFF also organizes off-season events like HÕFF (Haapsalu Horror, April), Tartuff (Tartu Love Film Festival, August, free), and NÖFF (Women’s Nights, Rapla, March). In 2024, it achieved a record 93,044 visits, 131 premieres, and media coverage reaching 19.5 billion contacts across 70 countries.

Event Highlights

• Main Competition: Features recent films by established filmmakers, showcasing stylistic and thematic diversity (world/international premieres, ticketed, 7–23 Nov).
• Debut Film Competition: First films by emerging talents with bold perspectives (world/international premieres, ticketed).
• Critics’ Choice Competition: Latest cinematic trends through a critical lens (world/international premieres, ticketed).
• Rebels with a Cause: Experimental films with rebellious messages (world/international premieres, ticketed).
• Doc@PÖFF: International documentaries (world/international premieres, ticketed), plus Baltic Doc@PÖFF for Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian documentaries.
• Baltic Film Competition: Feature films from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (regional premieres, ticketed).
• Non-Competitive Programs: Includes Best of Festivals, Night Tremors (genre), Environmental Film Program, Science 360°, Old Gold (classics), TV Beats, and special focus programs (ticketed/free, speculative).
• Sub-Festivals:
  • Just Film: Youth/children’s films with Grand Prix, ECFA Jury Prize, and youth/children’s jury awards (ticketed, 7–23 Nov).
  • PÖFF Shorts: Short films and animations, including international, student, and national competitions (ticketed, 11–19 Nov, Oscar/BAFTA/EFA-qualifying).
• Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event: Film market, workshops, and networking for 700+ professionals (14–21 Nov, accreditation required).
• Awards: Grand Prix (€20,000 ≈ $23,200 USD), Best Director (€5,000 ≈ $5,800 USD), Best Baltic Film (€5,000 ≈ $5,800 USD), FIPRESCI Prize, and more.

Date & Duration

• Date: 7–23 November 2025 (Friday–Sunday, 17 days).
• Duration: Main program and Just Film: 7–23 Nov; PÖFF Shorts: 11–19 Nov; Industry@Tallinn: 14–21 Nov.
• Opening Times: Screenings typically 10:00 AM–11:00 PM (speculative, based on web:0, web:23). Check poff.ee for schedule (Oct 2025).
• Note: All-ages for most screenings; some films N16/N18 (check poff.ee). Outdoor/indoor venues; dress for November (30–40°F, possible snow).

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues (Tallinn):
  • Solaris Apollo Kino: Estonia pst 9, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn, Harju maakond (main screenings).
  • Coca-Cola Plaza: Hobujaama tn 5, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn (multiplex screenings).
  • Kino Artis: Vana-Posti tn 8, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn (arthouse screenings).
  • Nordic Hotel Forum: Viru väljak 3, Tallinn (festival HQ, industry events).
• Sidebar Venues (Tartu):
  • Elektriteater: Jakobi tn 1, Tartu linn, Tartu maakond (select screenings).
  • Athena Centre: Turu tn 2, Tartu linn, Tartu maakond (select screenings).
• Administrative Contact: MTÜ Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival, Telliskivi 60a/2, 10412 Tallinn, Estonia; info@poff.ee; +372 5620 8308 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Note: Venues are wheelchair-accessible; contact info@poff.ee for specific needs. Limited parking at Solaris (~50 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day) or public lots (~100 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Maps at poff.ee.

Contact Information

• Email: info@poff.ee (general inquiries, accessibility); press@poff.ee (media).
• Phone: +372 5620 8308 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Website: poff.ee (program, tickets, submissions); justfilm.ee (Just Film); industry.poff.ee (Industry@Tallinn).
• Social Media: @tallinnblacknightsff (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, YouTube).
• Note: Contact for tickets, accessibility, or accreditation. Newsletter signup at poff.ee. Response time ~24–48 hours.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase online at poff.ee (Oct 2025) or on-site at Solaris Apollo Kino, Coca-Cola Plaza (cash/card). Booking fees ~€1–€2 ≈ $1.16–$2.32 USD. Discounts for students, seniors, and children (TBA).
• 2025 Pricing (USD, €1 ≈ $1.16, speculative based on user data, web:0):
  • Main Programme: ~€11 ≈ $12.80 USD.
  • Just Film: ~€9 ≈ $10.50 USD.
  • PÖFF Shorts: ~€9 ≈ $10.50 USD.
  • Early Bird: ~€5 ≈ $5.90 USD (limited, TBA).
  • Festival Pass: ~€50–€100 ≈ $58–$116 USD (speculative, multi-screening access).
  • Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.48–$5.80 USD (on-site, cash, includes schedule).
  • Donations: Optional, ~$2.50–$12.50 USD (via poff.ee, speculative).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €5–€100.
  • USD: ~$5.90–$116 USD.
• Note: Prices speculative, based on 2024 data (web:0, web:12). Free screenings possible (TBA, poff.ee). Accessibility companions are free (contact info@poff.ee). Book early for sold-out sessions (~118 in 2024).

Cultural Experience

PÖFF transforms Tallinn into a global cinema hub, blending Estonian and Baltic films with international premieres. With 131 premieres in 2024, it fosters cultural exchange through diverse programs, from experimental “Rebels with a Cause” to family-friendly Just Film. Industry@Tallinn connects 700+ professionals, boosting Estonia’s €12M economic impact. Set in Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and modern multiplexes, it offers a vibrant, inclusive cinematic celebration.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venues: Food stalls at Solaris Apollo Kino, Coca-Cola Plaza offer snacks (sandwiches, pīrāgi, ~$2–$6 USD), coffee/soft drinks (~$1–$3 USD), and local beers (~$3–$5 USD, age 19+). Water stations are available.
• Nearby Dining (Tallinn):
  • Vegan Restoran V: Rataskaevu 12, Tallinn (vegan, $8–$18 USD, 5-minute walk from Solaris).
  • Rataskaevu 16: Rataskaevu 16, Tallinn (modern Estonian, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Olde Hansa: Vana Turg 1, Tallinn (medieval Estonian, $12–$30 USD, 10-minute walk).
  • Pegasus: Harju 1, Tallinn (Baltic fusion, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Tartu Venues: Stalls at Elektriteater, Athena Centre (snacks, drinks, ~$2–$5 USD). Nearby: Werner Café (Ülikooli 11, Tartu, $5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Beer/wine at venue stalls (~$3–$5 USD, age 19+). Nearby bars like Pegasus offer local craft beers (~$4–$6 USD).

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Just Film offers youth/children’s screenings (all-ages, ticketed). Under-16s require supervision for some films (N16/N18, check poff.ee). PÖFF Shorts includes children’s animations. Well-behaved dogs allowed at outdoor areas (leads required).
• Accessibility: Venues are wheelchair-accessible (ramps at Solaris, Coca-Cola Plaza); audio descriptions/subtitles for select screenings (TBA, contact info@poff.ee). Free companion tickets for 1st/2nd group impairment attendees. Assistance dogs permitted. Contact info@poff.ee for specific needs.

Getting There

• By Air: Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL, 3 miles, 15-minute drive, $8–$12 USD by taxi).
• Public Transport (Tallinn):
  • Tram: Lines 1, 2 to Hobujaama (~$1 USD, 2-minute walk to Coca-Cola Plaza). See www.tallinn.ee.
  • Bus: Lines 2, 3 to Viru väljak (~$1 USD, 5-minute walk to Solaris). Tickets via www.tallinn.ee.
• Tartu:
  • Train: Tallinn to Tartu (2 hours, $8–$12 USD). See www.elron.ee.
  • Bus: Lines to Jakobi tn (~$1 USD, 5-minute walk to Elektriteater). See www.tartu.ee.
• By Car: Parking at Solaris (~50 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day) or public lots (~100 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Car-sharing via Bolt Drive (~$10 USD/day).
• By Bike/Foot: 10-minute walk from Tallinn Central Station to Solaris. Bike racks at venues (~20 spaces, free).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt/Uber ($5–$10 USD in Tallinn; $3–$8 USD in Tartu). Local taxis (+372 1918, ~$5–$12 USD).

Program Details

• Oct 2025: Full program, tickets, and screening schedule at poff.ee.
• 7 Nov (Speculative):
  • 6:00 PM–11:00 PM: Opening gala, main competition screening (Solaris Apollo Kino, ticketed).
• 8–22 Nov (Speculative):
  • 10:00 AM–11:00 PM: Main program, Just Film, PÖFF Shorts screenings (Tallinn/Tartu, ticketed).
  • 14–21 Nov: Industry@Tallinn events (Nordic Hotel Forum, accreditation required).
• 23 Nov (Speculative):
  • 6:00 PM–11:00 PM: Closing ceremony, awards (Solaris Apollo Kino, ticketed).
• Note: Schedule speculative, based on web:0, web:7, web:23. Some films N16/N18; Just Film all-ages. Full details Oct 2025.

Past Notable Films (2024)

• Main Competition: Bad Actor (Jorge Cuchi, world premiere), Oxygen Station (Ivan Tymchenko, world premiere).
• Estonian Highlights: Shadow (Jaak Kilmi, historical drama), Rebel with a Bow Tie (Jaan Tootsen).
• Documentary: Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (Sundance premiere, Estonian).
• Attendance: 93,044 visits, 249 features, 323 shorts, 131 premieres.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Industry@Tallinn masterclasses, script labs (14–21 Nov, accreditation required).
• PÖFF Film School: Online platform for Estonian students (web:4, speculative for 2025).
• Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.48–$5.80 USD (on-site, includes schedule, film notes).
• Submissions: Films accepted until 24 Aug 2025 (web:11, FilmFreeway).

Cultural Activities

• Screenings: 864 sessions in 2024, including main competition, Just Film, and PÖFF Shorts (ticketed).
• Industry Events: Script Pool, Baltic Event Co-Production Market, Works in Progress (14–21 Nov, accreditation).
• Special Programs: Environmental films, sports cinema (EOK), classics (Old Gold), genre (Night Tremors).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets limited; book via poff.ee (Oct 2025). Accommodation fills during the festival; reserve 6–12 months via www.booking.com or www.visittallinn.ee.
• Weather Prep: November (30–40°F, possible snow); bring warm coats, waterproof shoes.
• Explore Locally: Tallinn Old Town (UNESCO, free, 5-minute walk), Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (free, 10-minute walk), Kadriorg Palace ($8 USD, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Tallinn Card ($20–$40 USD) for discounts on transport, attractions. See www.tallinn.ee.
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at poff.ee. Follow @tallinnblacknightsff for updates.

Local Attractions

• Tallinn Old Town: UNESCO site, free (5-minute walk, Tallinn).
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: Free (10-minute walk, Toompea 11, Tallinn).
• Kadriorg Palace: $8 USD (15-minute drive, Weizenbergi 37, Tallinn).
• Tartu Old Town: Free (5-minute walk from Elektriteater, Tartu).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Radisson Blu Sky Hotel ($100–$200 USD/night, Rävala pst 3, Tallinn, 5-minute walk).
  • Hestia Hotel Kentmanni ($80–$150 USD/night, Kentmanni 13, Tallinn, 10-minute walk).
• Tartu: Hotel Lydia ($90–$160 USD/night, Ülikooli 14, Tartu, 5-minute walk).
• Hostels: The Monk’s Bunk ($20–$50 USD/night, Tatari 1, Tallinn, 10-minute walk).
• Airbnb: Apartments ($30–$100 USD/night, near Solaris or Tartu venues).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Solaris, Coca-Cola Plaza; nearest hospital is East Tallinn Central Hospital (Ravi 18, 10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks at venues; no glass bottles. Contact info@poff.ee for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD at poff.ee (Oct 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables in crowds; follow venue signage; stay warm.