A new swing starting today with screenings at Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza and Artis Cinema.
"Estonian audiences will finally have the chance to see international hits as well as long-awaited Estonian short and animated films. In addition to the public screenings, there will be a number of events aimed at bridging the gap between short and feature films and preparing new talent in the film industry," said Mari Liis Keevallik, director of PÖFF Shorts.
A record number of film guests are expected this year: over 300 film professionals are expected to attend the festival for the duration of the competition, with around 70 of them joining virtually. They will include the international jury, which will judge the films in the competition.
The three juries will include a total of nine people: Cannes industry coordinator and programmer Florian Fernandez (France), director and producer Tonia Mishiali (Cyprus), director Eeva Mägi (Estonia), Artistic Director of Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and Executive Director of ASIFA Germany Annegret Richter (Germany), animation directors Martina Meštrović (Croatia) and Roland Seer (Estonia), Programme Director of the 2ANNAS Festival Laima Graždanoviča (Latvia); co-founder of StopTrik Michał Bobrowski (Poland) and artist Kitty Florentine (Estonia).
The best short film, the best animated film and the best Estonian film selected by the international jury will be eligible for nomination for the Short Film Oscar, with the exception of student films.
The six winners of the three competitions will be announced at the PÖFF Shorts awards ceremony on Saturday 16 November. The nominee for the European Film Academy's Best Short Film Award will also be selected from the competing films and announced at the PÖFF Closing Ceremony on 23 November.
The eighth edition of PÖFF Shorts will take place in cinemas in Tallinn and Tartu until 20 November. Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi and PÖFF information points.