PÖFF Keeps It Real: Estonian Fest Rides for Ukraine Into Year Three

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, a lot of institutions put out statements and moved on. Not PÖFF—the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival made the choice to actually show up, and they've kept that energy going.

Now in its 30th year, PÖFF is still centering Ukraine across its programming, industry events, and lineup. This isn't performative solidarity either. They're actively platforming Ukrainian cinema, creators, and voices throughout the festival. It's the kind of move that takes real commitment—especially for a festival in a Baltic country that knows exactly what's at stake when sovereignty gets tested.

The fest is proving that cultural institutions can be political without losing their credibility. By choosing to amplify Ukrainian work because of the war, not despite it, PÖFF's treating the festival as what it should be: a space where art and resistance aren't separate things.

That's the kind of stance that matters. The full breakdown on how they're doing it is worth reading.

Read the full story at The Hollywood Reporter → https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/poff-standing-with-ukraine-tallinn-2026-films-events-war-1236741671/