Films can be submitted to the festival's competition programmes, including the Official Selection, First Feature, Rebels with a Cause, Critics' Picks, Doc@PÖFF International and Baltic Competition and Baltic Film Competition. PS! Films submitted to the competition programmes must be World Premieres.
Films are also welcome in PÖFF's diverse non-competitive programmes.
Regular submission deadline for competitive and non-competitive feature film programmes: 29 June 2026.
PÖFF Official Selection Competition Seeks for Films with a Distinctive Cinematic Vision
PÖFF's Official Selection Competition is accepting submissions for bold, original feature films with a distinctive cinematic vision. As one of the world's FIAPF-accredited A-category festivals, PÖFF is looking for world premieres that combine artistic ambition, compelling storytelling, and international appeal.
This year, a more focused competition of 10–12 films will give each selected title even greater visibility among audiences, critics, and industry professionals.
Check the Open Calls of Industry@Tallinn &; Baltic Event!
Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, the industry platform of PÖFF, has several open calls for feature film and drama series projects, as well as opportunities for production designers, animators, and other creative professionals.
- TV Beats Co-Financing Market is seeking high-quality drama series projects with strong international sales and distribution potential.
- Baltic Event Co-Production Market, Northern Europe's largest international co-production market, is calling for feature film projects.
- Script Pool is looking for feature film projects with international potential, a completed final draft, strong distribution prospects, and secured partial financing.
- Black Room, part of Discovery Campus, invites production designers to apply for its intensive four-day workshop.
- Unreal Engine: Storytelling & Cinematic Creation is accepting applications for an intensive 10-week online residency designed for CG artists, filmmakers, animators, and other creative professionals.
Call for Entries: Just Film 2026
Just Film, the youth and children’s film festival of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), is now accepting submissions from filmmakers worldwide. The festival is seeking feature films, documentaries, animations and short films for its international competition programmes, including the dedicated #youngfilmmaker section for directors aged 7–19. Selected films will be screened at one of Northern Europe’s leading film festivals and gain access to an international audience and industry professionals.
Submission deadlines:
Regular deadline – 29 June 2026;
Final deadline – 24 August 2026.
Films can be submitted via FilmFreeway.
Have You Submitted Your Film to PÖFF Shorts?
PÖFF Shorts is now open for submissions. One of the largest short film and animation festivals in the region is looking for outstanding live-action and animated short films from around the world.
Dance films, on-screen poetry, live-action documentaries and animation — we want it all. Early bird submissions end on 30 June, 2026.
Submit on FilmFreeway
Submit on Short Film Depot
Share Your PÖFF Memories!
PÖFF is turning 30, and we'd love to hear your story. Whether it's a favourite film, a memorable encounter, a volunteering experience, or a moment that stayed with you long after the credits rolled, share your PÖFF memories and become part of the festival's anniversary celebration. Selected stories may be featured as part of the 30th edition.
