The 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) – running from 8-24 November – has announced the selection for its First Feature Competition. The programme is dedicated to showcasing the works of debut filmmakers, with seven world and four international premieres on the cards. All directors will be attending the festival, providing a unique platform for emerging talents to engage directly with audiences.

Festival director Tiina Lokk emphasised the event’s long-standing commitment to discovering and supporting new filmmakers. “Even before we received our A-class status in 2014, we've made it a priority to support new talents, especially those making their debut. This is our niche on the global festival stage. We've made our concept for emerging filmmakers very international, welcoming directors from all over the world. But we can't forget our own region, the Baltic states – it's important to discover small film gems and emerging talents from this region.”

Curator Triin Tramberg provided an insight into the selection process and her thoughts on this year’s competition: “It’s important to note that at one point, we had almost 250 debut films on our table looking for a world premiere. In total, we watched debuts from 66 countries. The common thread in this year's selection are intriguing stories supported by brilliant cinematography, acting and artwork. Some of the movies in this year's selection stand out for their excellent acting and visual language. There is definitely something for everyone, as the programme is crafted with the audience in mind.”

This year's First Feature Competition presents a wide variety of stories, showcasing everything from psychological dramas to surrealist comedies. Ciao bambino [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Edgardo Pistone
scheda film], directed by Edgar Pistone, offers a gritty tale set in Naples, where a young man named Attilio navigates a dangerous relationship with a prostitute in a world governed by crime. In Sun Never Again [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: David Jovanović
scheda film], David Jovanović tells the story of a father confronting the dangers of a mine near his home, finding hope in his son's imagination. Through rich symbolism and cinematographic techniques, the film explores light and shadow, creating a thought-provoking narrative.

Meanwhile, Dimitri Verhulst's The Weeping Walk [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] humorously explores family dynamics during a funeral, as those present reflect on relationships while fulfilling the deceased’s burial wishes. Two of Me [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film], by twin filmmakers Raul and Romet Esko, is a heartfelt comedy about the pressures of film school, where one brother’s unexpected romance complicates their quest for fame (see the news).

Signe Birkova’s avant-garde film Lotus [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] takes an entirely different approach, blending surrealism with archival footage and innovative cinematography to create a truly striking visual experience. Another bold entry is No Dogs Allowed [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film], directed by Steve Bache, which tackles the controversial subject of paedosexuality through the perspective of a conflicted teenager. The film thus offers a provocative and sensitive exploration of taboo topics. Emilios Avraam’s Smaragda – I Got Thick Skin and I Can't Jump [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] follows the journey of a middle-aged woman as she navigates her life in Cyprus after her mother’s death, balancing themes of personal resilience with humour and heart (see the news).

In contrast, The House With No Address [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] by Hatice Aşkın presents a dystopian narrative where a young prosecutor begins to question his own moral compass after his mother’s conviction. This psychological drama delves into existential dilemmas, framed within a visually captivating setting.

Three non-European films round off the selection. Diego Figueroa’s A Yard of Jackals tells the story of Raúl Peralta, a lonely man living under Chile’s military regime in 1978. His life is disrupted when mysterious neighbours move in, pushing him into a spiral of violence. On a lighter note, Corina by Urzula Barba offers a charming coming-of-age tale about a young woman who gains confidence as she steps out of her comfort zone. Lastly, Jerome Yoo’s Mongrels tells the story of a Korean immigrant family in Canada, dealing with loss and survival, and learning valuable lessons from Native traditions.

Here is the complete list of the selected titles:

First Feature Competition

A Yard of Jackals – Diego Figueroa (Chile)
Ciao bambino [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Edgardo Pistone
scheda film] – Edgardo Pistone (Italy)
Corina – Urzula Barba (Mexico)
The House With No Address [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] – Hatice Aşkın (Turkey/Greece)
Lotus [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] – Signe Birkova (Latvia/Lithuania)
Mongrels – Jerome Yoo (Canada)
No Dogs Allowed [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film] – Steve Bache (Germany)
Smaragda – I Got Thick Skin and I Can't Jump [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] – Emilios Avraam (Cyprus)
Sun Never Again [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: David Jovanović
scheda film] – David Jovanović (Serbia)
Two of Me [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film] – Raul Esko, Romet Esko (Estonia)
The Weeping Walk [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] – Dimitri Verhulst (Belgium)