The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) is set to further strengthen its industry profile by hosting the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers (WCSFP), which will take place from 9-12 November 2026 in Tallinn, Estonia. Organised as part of the festival’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, the initiative positions PÖFF as a key meeting point for the international factual community, bringing together professionals across film, television and digital platforms.

Widely regarded as the leading global forum for science, history and factual storytelling, WCSFP gathers nearly 600 participants from over 30 countries each year, including producers, broadcasters, commissioners, distributors, streamers, scientists and digital creators. The event serves as a platform for industry exchange, focusing on editorial innovation, emerging technologies and evolving market dynamics. The event attracts decision makers from organisations such as National Geographic, BBC Studios, Discovery, PBS, NHK, France Télévisions, Netflix, CuriosityStream, TikTok, YouTube and Ubisoft.

The 2026 edition will unfold in cooperation with PÖFF and its industry platform, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, reinforcing links between the global factual sector and the Baltic-Nordic production landscape. The choice of Estonia as host country reflects its reputation as a digitally advanced society, aligning with WCSFP’s focus on innovation, and new forms of content creation and distribution.

Tiina Lokk, director of PÖFF, stated: “As we mark our 30th anniversary, we are proud to partner with WCSFP to connect global industry leaders with our national creative sector. PÖFF and its industry arm, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, have built a respected international reputation. As part of its extensive programme, the festival presents Doc@PÖFF’s International and Baltic Competitions alongside outstanding documentaries. We hope WCSFP delegates leave with new partnerships, fresh perspectives and ideas that resonate globally.”

As part of the announcement, WCSFP has also named Sara Ramsden as its new editorial director. She is a seasoned creative executive with experience spanning companies such as the BBC, Sky, Love Productions and Channel 4, where she spent over 15 years as commissioning editor for Science. Ramsden will oversee the programme’s editorial direction, addressing key challenges facing the industry, including the impact of artificial intelligence, tightening production frameworks and budgets in linear television, and shifting audience behaviours.

Ramsden said: “I’m very excited to be curating WCSFP. Our industry is at a turning point, and we need honest discussion to inspire fresh thinking. I want to attract the next generation of creators and explore new ways of telling important stories. WCSFP should be the place where we take creative risks and make storytelling truly unmissable.”

The upcoming edition will place a particular emphasis on the next generation of creators, incorporating YouTubers, podcasters and emerging digital voices into the programme alongside established industry figures. Discussions and sessions will explore new storytelling formats and strategies aimed at reaching audiences across multiple platforms.

Beyond its conference programme, WCSFP aims to foster collaboration and networking among its participants, offering a space for international partnerships and cross-sector dialogue. Previous editions of the congress have been held in cities including Rio de Janeiro, Marrakesh, Tokyo and Melbourne, among others.