The second recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Nights Film Festival is Janno Põldma.

Põldma, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, has kept alive and developed the tradition of Estonian children's animated films, instilled a zest for life and a desire to be active in several generations of children through his films, books, and plays, and, as a cinematographer, has also shot a number of works that are among the absolute best in Estonian animated film.

Lotte, the dog girl he created together with Heiki Ernits 25 years ago, has become a phenomenon in her own right, long since transcending the boundaries of the film world.

Põldma says that it is probably no coincidence that all the films he has directed feature children among the characters, either in leading roles or in important supporting roles.

"When I started thinking about this recurring pattern, I found the answer for myself. Children add an important extra value to storytelling: I can be bolder and more imaginative because children are not yet as well-behaved, disciplined, or concerned with social norms as their parents. A child can do something wildly interesting and funny in a film that adults would hardly ever do in their own films. Or if they did, it would only be for a specific purpose. Children do not set such goals for themselves—they are genuine and honest. When making films, but also when writing books, I find it much more enjoyable to work in this kind of atmosphere," he said.

Põldma's filmography includes Lotte reis lõunamaale, Leiutajateküla Lotte, Lotte ja kuukivi saladus and Lotte ja kadunud lohed, Lepatriinude jõulud and Kontsert porgandipirukale (all with Heiki Ernits), Tom ja Fluffy (with Heiki Ernits and Leo Lätt), 1895 (with Priit Pärn), Armastuse võimalikkusest, Sünnipäev, Otto elu and Vennad ja õed.

As a cinematographer, he has shot 20 animated films, including* Priit Pärn's Eine murul*, Kas maakera on ümmargune and Hotell E, Rein Raamat's Põrgu and Suur Tõll, and Avo Paistik's Klaabu and Naksitrallid.

Põldma also wrote one of the best Estonian children's films of all time, Lammas all paremas nurgas, directed by Lembit Ulfsak.

The lifetime achievement award will be presented to the laureate tonight at 18:00 p.m. at the PÖFF closing ceremony, which will take place at the Alexela Concert Hall.

Traditionally, PÖFF presents two Lifetime Achievement awards: one to a foreign filmmaker and one to an Estonian filmmaker. This year, the first award went to Lithuanian actor Juozas Budraitis.

The Black Nights Film Festival runs until November 23.

The festival is presented by Elisa and Nordic Hotel Forum.

Watch the broadcast of the PÖFF closing ceremony here.

Photo: Antti Häkli / ERR