A little piece of PÖFF will travel around the world this November, while a larger one makes its way through Tallinn. To celebrate the 30th edition of PÖFF, Omniva is issuing a commemorative postage stamp, and a tram featuring artwork by legendary Estonian animation director Priit Pärn is taking to the city’s streets.
Festival guests will receive the stamp together with a postcard designed by Pärn. A special postbox in the lobby of Nordic Hotel Forum, PÖFF’s home hotel, will invite visitors to send their greetings from Tallinn – sharing a piece of the anniversary celebrations with friends and family around the world.
“For Omniva, it is important that contemporary Estonian culture has its place on postage stamps. PÖFF is an excellent example: the festival has helped introduce Estonia to the world, and now a stamp dedicated to its anniversary can carry the message of Estonian film culture even further,” said Katri Laanela, Head of Postal Services at Omniva.
Designed by Birgit Pajust, the stamp has a print run of 10,000 and will go on sale on 6 November. Priced at €4.30, it will be available at the Tallinna Kaubamaja post office and through Omniva’s online shop, alongside a PÖFF postcard and envelope.
Visitors arriving in Tallinn may also spot PÖFF’s anniversary tram, decorated with Pärn’s Kilplased – the comically foolish characters from Estonian folklore who populate this year’s festival identity. Connecting the city centre with the airport, the tram will carry passengers, including arriving festival guests, until 22 November.
According to Monika Haukanõmm, Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Sport, PÖFF has become an integral part of the city’s identity over the past three decades.
“PÖFF brings world cinema to Tallinn and introduces Estonian films to international audiences. This is precisely the kind of open film culture we want to continue supporting,” she said.
The characters also appear on festival posters, decorations and other visual materials, bringing Pärn’s distinctive humour to the anniversary edition.
“The Kilplased have never promoted a film festival before. Nor have they ever been seen making films. Now they are, and there are plenty of them. It is a well-known fact that when a large number of Kilplased do something together, there is no fear of failure. Success is guaranteed,” said Pärn.
The tram design was created in cooperation with the City of Tallinn, the Tallinn Transport Department and Tallinn City Transport.