The Impact Builder Award, presented by Ernst & Young, a business consultancy and accounting firm, recognises events and their organisers with a wide social and economic impact.

"The purpose of the Impact Builder Award is to recognise initiatives that go beyond the success of a single company and have an impact on Estonia's economy, investment environment and the wider entrepreneurial space," explained EY Estonia partner and competition chairman Ranno Tingas. "PÖFF, founded by Tiina Lokk, is exactly such a phenomenon: it is not just a cultural event, but a long-term strategic investment in Estonia's visibility and economy."

Jury member Aavo Kokk, head of the Tartu Cultural Centre Siuru, stressed that the Impact Builder Award was born out of the need to highlight initiatives that have a far-reaching impact and are not classic business. "Tiina Lokk together with PÖFF are living proof that culture and entrepreneurship are not two separate worlds, on the contrary, they can strengthen each other. PÖFF has grown Estonia as a centre for creative entrepreneurship and has not only brought film professionals here, but also positively influenced our economic environment and developed the local film industry," he added.

Accepting the award, Tiina Lokk said that the success of the festival is due to the work and dedication of many people. "When we started in 1996, it was a crazy idea, but today it has become something that has an impact on the economy, tourism and Estonia's international image. I am honoured that our work has been noticed and appreciated," she said.

PÖFF is the only A-class film festival in the Baltics and Nordic countries. In 2024, together with its film industry event Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, it brought 1788 foreign guests from 65 countries to Estonia. The festival was mentioned in more than 6,000 articles in more than 70 national publications, according to international media monitoring company Meltwater. The PÖFF returned almost €12 million to the Estonian economy.
This year's Black Nights Film Festival will take place from 7 to 23 November.

Photo: Winner of the Impact Builder Award Tiina Lokk. Author of the photo: Karli Saul