Tallinn Black Nights director Tiina Lokk raises concerns over film festival independence in Estonia
On the eve of the 28th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (POFF) in Estonia, festival director Tiina Lokk has spoken out against growing external pressures to alter programming decisions. “There is no right to demand that you should take a film off your programme,” said Lokk. Drawing from her experiences under Soviet rule, she warned against censorship, stating, “If we open this Pandora’s box, we cannot manage.”
Lokk, who founded POFF in 1997, cited increasing scrutiny of festival selections as a troubling trend. She referenced the controversy surrounding Anastasia Trofimova’s documentary "Russians At War", which portrays the perspective of a Russian battalion in Ukraine. While the film was postponed from its initial North American premiere at Toronto due to security concerns, it was eventually screened after the festival concluded. POFF declined the film over concerns it could propagate Russian propaganda. “I can feel the red flag very quickly,” Lokk said, while defending the right of other festivals like Venice and Toronto to make their own programming choices.
Challenges and Pressures
Lokk admitted to facing pressure to withdraw certain films, including this year and especially last year, though she did not disclose specifics. She stressed the importance of festival programmers knowing their selections thoroughly and being prepared to justify them on artistic grounds.
While maintaining that POFF is “not a political festival,” Lokk is organizing discussions with other festival leaders to address these challenges. Although the dialogue will not take place during this year’s event, she hopes to arrange it in early 2025.
Spotlight on Georgian Cinema
This year’s program includes a spotlight on Georgian independent filmmakers, recognizing their work amid internal industry divides. Films from both sides of the Georgian conflict, including "The Antique", are featured, with Lokk asserting that each work is evaluated on its own merits. The Venetian controversy surrounding "The Antique" has not affected its inclusion at POFF.
Festival Highlights
POFF 2024 features 249 films, including the world premiere of Serhii Kastornykh’s "The Mousetrap", a Ukrainian drama filmed during breaks from the director’s military service. The festival also introduces a new non-fiction competition, Doc@POFF, reflecting its commitment to diverse storytelling.
Despite economic pressures, including high inflation and a €2.7 million budget, the festival anticipates strong audience turnout. Lokk expressed pride in fostering an inclusive environment where films from conflict zones and diverse perspectives coexist. Recalling a comment from last year’s festival, she shared, “Israel and Palestine are on the same jury; Serbian, Kosovar, Balkan, Ukrainian, and Georgian films are together – and everyone is friends and drinking vodka!”
Context: Tiina Lokk and POFF
Tiina Lokk has directed POFF since its inception in 1997, shaping it into one of Northern Europe’s premier film festivals. Known for its eclectic programming, POFF has become a platform for global cinema while maintaining a strong focus on independent filmmakers and emerging talent.
This year’s festival runs from November 7-24, highlighting the resilience and artistic vision of a festival committed to independence in the face of external pressures.