We have opened the film submissions for the 30th edition of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and both of its sub-festivals - youth and children's festival Just Film and animation and short film festival PÖFF Shorts!
The Black Nights Film Festival programme includes seven competitive sections and various non-competitive sections for feature films.
The films submitted to the Competition programme must be World Premieres.
Official Selection Competition
The Official Selection Competition is an international, non-specialised competition presenting feature-length films (70 minutes and over) from around the world, completed after the 1st of January 2026. Films selected for this section are expected to be at least the second feature-length work by the director.
First Feature Competition
The First Feature Competition is an international, non-specialised competition presenting feature-length films (70 minutes and over) from around the world, completed after the 1st of January 2026. This section is dedicated to debut feature films; prior documentary works are not considered as first features.
Rebels with a Cause Competition
The Rebels with a Cause Competition showcases unconventional forms of cinematic expression, highlighting innovative approaches to narrative and dramaturgy, cross-disciplinary collaboration with other art forms, and bold or experimental technical and aesthetic choices. The Competition is open to films of all forms, including fiction, documentary, and animation (70 minutes and over).
Critics' Picks Competition
The Critics’ Picks Competition presents a carefully curated selection of auteur-driven films that play with genre conventions while engaging in dialogue with film history. Inspired by similar sections at fellow A-class festivals, this tightly edited line-up of up to ten feature films highlights some of the most daring voices in contemporary world cinema and captures the spirit of the current global Zeitgeist. The selected works vary from first feature filmmakers as well as the experienced masters of cinema (70 minutes and over). The films must be completed after the 1st of January 2026.
Doc@PÖFF International Competition
The Doc@PÖFF International Competition is an international competition without geographical and thematic borders presenting feature-length (70 minutes and over) documentaries from around the world completed after the 1st of January 2026.
Doc@PÖFF Baltic Competition
The Doc@PÖFF Baltic Competition is a competition presenting feature-length (70 minutes and over) documentaries from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania completed after the 1st of January 2026.
Priority will be given to films with a World or International premiere.
Baltic Film Competition
The Baltic Film Competition presents feature length (70 minutes and over) films from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, or with significant participation from one of these countries completed after the 1st of January 2026. Priority will be given to films with a World or International premiere, but films which have previously premiered in Estonia are also eligible.
Films submitted for the non-competitive programme, or not selected for competitions, can be invited to other sections with a minimum requirement being their Estonian Premiere. There is no geographic restriction for films in non-competitive sections. The films must be completed after the 1st of January 2026.
Opening film
A film from the focus programme to symbolically introduce the Festival.
Special Screenings
Special Screenings present films and/or filmmakers of particular significance to the Festival, as well as films holding International or European Premiere status.
Country in Focus
A Country in Focus designation represents a festival-wide focus granted to one country only per edition of the Festival. The focus applies across all Festival activities, including the main Festival programme, affiliated sub-festivals (PÖFF Shorts and Just Film), and the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.
Spotlight
A Spotlight designation highlights a country within a specific Festival strand or programme. Unlike the Country in Focus, multiple Spotlights may be presented within a single Festival edition, and each Festival strand — including the main Festival programme, PÖFF Shorts, Just Film, and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event — may independently host its own Spotlight.
Best of Festivals
Crème de la crème of the art of film of the world. Films that have already premiered or won awards at other prestigious festivals.
Old Gold: Classic Films Come to Life
Films from near and far which have been restored and brought back to life. Exciting guests and new perspectives. Special attention is given to the restored films from Baltic Countries, with the aim to bring out and introduce Baltic film history.
Best of Docs
A selection of the latest documentary highlights, regardless of their geographic origin or topics.
Environmental film programme
The climate is warming. The environment is changing. PÖFF is highlighting it.
Estonian Olympic Committee Sports Film Programme
Sports and film – more than just a sports film. The Estonian Olympic Committee presents.
Midnight Shivers
Over-the-top fantasy spree, the cream of the crop of recent horror and fantasy cinema.
Screen International Critics' Choice
True cinematography through the eyes of critics. Iconic works selected by the prestigious Screen International.
TV Beats
A programme dedicated to fresh drama series, aimed at highlighting the increasingly blurry line between the small and the big screen.
The regular submission deadline for competitive and non-competitive feature film programmes is the 29 June 2026.
The extended submission deadline for competitive and non-competitive feature film programmes is the 17 August 2026.
The final submission deadline for competitive and non-competitive feature film programmes is the 24 August 2026.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATEGORIES AND TERMS®ULATIONS
Check out also the submission categories and deadlines for Just Film Youth and Children's Film Festival and PÖFF Shorts and animated and short films
Just Film Youth and Children's Film Festival
PÖFF Shorts, animated and short films
Check the submission deadlines for the 25th Industry&Tallinn & Baltic Event (November 9- 20, 2026)