In a world where war, politics, and societal constraints often overshadow dreams, the 2025 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) boldly steps forward to celebrate the indomitable spirit of women who dare to dream big. But here’s where it gets controversial: can cinema truly challenge the status quo and inspire change? This year’s festival unveils a groundbreaking lineup of documentaries in its Doc@PÖFF International and Baltic competitions, with Baltic documentaries and feature films competing in separate programs for the very first time. And this is the part most people miss: these films aren’t just stories—they’re windows into a restless world, exploring themes from family dynamics and traditional lifestyles to the harsh realities of politics and war, spanning from Moldova to the Himalayan mountains.
Organizers emphasize that many of these documentaries shine a light on women who defy restrictive circumstances, proving that ambition knows no bounds. Marianna Kaat, the curator of Doc@PÖFF, provocatively states, “These films demonstrate that documentaries can be even more engaging than fiction, as they captivate with their raw search for balance and understanding.” But is she right? Can documentaries truly outshine their fictional counterparts? Let’s dive in.
The Doc@PÖFF International Competition jury is a powerhouse of talent, featuring Tania El Khoury, a producer with roots in Beirut and Paris; Marianne Ostrat, the Estonian visionary behind Alexandra Film and Fork Film Animation Studio; and Daniel Abma, a German filmmaker known for his thought-provoking works like Beyond Wriezen. Meanwhile, the Baltic doc competition jury includes Ana Fernández Saiz, a U.K.-based Spanish documentary consultant; Pamela Cohn, a curator and host of The Lucid Dreaming Podcast; and Koen Suidgeest, a Dutch filmmaker and educator. Together, they’ll decide which films push boundaries the farthest.
But here’s the real question: In a time of global turmoil, can these films spark conversations that lead to real change? Or are they merely reflections of a world in chaos? Weigh in below.
Here’s a glimpse into the full lineup:
Doc@PÖFF International Competition Films
- Days of Wonder (Finland), dir: Karin Pennanen
- Edge of the Night (Estonia), dir: Vladimir Loginov
- Electing Miss Santa (Moldova, Romania), dir: Raisa Răzmeriță
- Far Away (Turkey), dir: Tayfur Aydın
- The Feast of the Wolf (Croatia, Serbia), dir: Jadran Boban
- Goodbye Sisters (France, Nepal), dir: Alexander Murphy
- It’s Winter (Iran, France), dir: Sajad Imani
- The Lunch: A Letter to America (Italy, USA), dir: Gianluca Vassallo
- Miss Jobson (Spain, Jamaica), dir: Amanda Sans Pantling
- One Day I Wish to See You Happy (Ukraine, France), dir: Maryna Nikolcheva
Doc@PÖFF Baltic Competition Films
- A Goodnight Kiss (Lithuania, Estonia), dir: Giedrė Žickytė
- BIX Almost Nirvana (Lithuania), dir: Emilis Vėlyvis
- Happiness Is Living in Our Land (Estonia), dir: Indrek Spungin
- Holy Destructors (Lithuania, France), dir: Aistė Žegulytė
- Laguna (France, Lithuania), dir: Sharunas Bartas
- The Last Will (Lithuania), dir: Jānis Ābele
- Lost Stars of the Horoscope (Estonia), dir: Katrina Lehismäe
- My Family and Other Clowns (Estonia), dir: Heilika Pikkov, Liina Särkinen
- Not Made for Politics (Belarus), dir: Volia Chajkouskaya
- Scarecrows (Latvia, Lithuania), dir: Laila Pakalnina
- I’m Time to the Target (Latvia, Czechia, Ukraine), dir: Vitaly Mansky
So, what do you think? Can these films inspire a new wave of dreamers, or are they just another drop in the ocean of storytelling? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s start a conversation that matters.
