The 23rd edition of Just Film, the youth and children's film festival of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), which is one of Estonia's largest events for young audiences, has announced this year's film programme, showcasing 11 premieres. In a celebration of cinematic diversity, a total of 52 exceptional films will be showcased across various captivating programs, offering a rich tapestry of storytelling and entertainment for attendees.
This year, eleven films will be competing in the international children's film competition programme, including the Estonian children's film “Totally Boss” (director: Ingomar Vihmar). The international youth film competition programme showcases 13 films, which will be assessed by the youth jury and a three-member international jury. The latter will give out the Just Film Grand Prix, a grant of 3000 euros.
Just Film programme will bring interesting discoveries from countries all around the world, such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and Israel. Five of these films will have their world premieres, six will have their international premieres, and twenty-three will have their Baltic premieres.
Mikk Granström, the dedicated Just Film program director, expressed his enthusiasm for this year's unique offerings, stating: "This year marks an unprecedented number of premieres in the festival's history. It means that Just Film visitors have a special opportunity to be among the first in the world to see these new films. Additionally, we have, for the first time, an international competition program for juniors, featuring five full-length films. There should be plenty of discovery and joy for every age group in November."
Intriguingly, this year's Just Film program is not limited to traditional screenings. It is structured to include specialized segments devoted to children's, junior, and youth films, as well as documentaries and children’s rights. Additionally, two special programmes are featured: #youngfilmmaker, showcasing films made by young Estonian and international filmmakers, and Just Film x Koolitants, presenting dance films created with the participation of young dancers.
A noteworthy addition to this year's festival is the Just Film Industry Days, a two-day event designed to offer educational talks and workshops tailored to the youth and children's film industry. This initiative caters to film professionals, industry experts, educators, and students eager to explore the creative possibilities of cinema for young audiences.
One particularly innovative aspect of this year's festival is the class jury, selected through a competitive process that invited school children from the same class from across Estonia to participate. The class jury will operate alongside the official Just Film jury and present a special award.
With over 100 international guests gracing the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with them during film screenings, where questions and discussions can follow the cinematic experiences.
The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's youth and children's film festival, Just Film, will take place from November 3rd to November 19th this year. The festival screens approximately 50 films each year, and with its audience size, Just Film has become one of Estonia's largest events for children and youth, attracting nearly 20,000 film enthusiasts annually.
For the complete festival program and further details, visit the official Just Film website at www.justfilm.ee.
In the 23rd edition of Just Film, the international youth film competition programme features:
Light Light Light
Finland, 2023
Rež: Inari Niemi
World Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1aTEJbdDVs
Supernova
Italy, 2023
Rež: Tiziano Russo
Regional Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMDvSjXdbU
Under the Naked Sky
Holland/Belgium, 2023
Rež: Lilian Sijbesma
International Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6QIOn5Amk
My Summer with the Shark
Italy, 2023
Rež: David Gentile
Estonian Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9NK0znYZM0
I Don't Love You Anymore
Czech Rebublic, 2023
Rež: Zdeněk Jiráský
Estonian Premiere
Dyad
Bulgaria, 2023
Rež: Yana Titova
Regional Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zB8u1yBNc
Sweet Sorrow
Serbia/Croatia, 2023
Rež: Kosta Đorđević
World Premiere
Hada
Spain, 2023
Rež: Àlex Mañas
World Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z0-fx3YexU
Bonus Track
UK, 2023
Rež: Julia Jackman
International Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyLMu-94_Vk
No Way Home
UK, 2023
Rež: Yousaf Ali Khan
World Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmDMHVOMweI
Horia
Rumenia/Bulgaria/Serbia, 2023
Rež: Ana Maria Comanescu
International Premiere
Silver and the Book of Dreams
Germany, 2023
Rež: Helena Hufnagel
World Premiere
Skunk
Belgium/Holland, 2023
Rež: Koen Mortier
World Premiere
Treiler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bql2Xz558Lg
Contacts:
Mikk Granström
Just Film Programme Director
mikk.grantsrom@poff.ee
Martina Tramberg
Just Film Media Relations
martina.tramberg@poff.ee