Shorts National Competition 3

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

In a year in which Estonian shorts have had a relatively high profile on the international circuit, it is perhaps appropriate that the 2024 edition of the National Competition is proverbially ‘stuffed to the gills’. Displaying a depth of talent and mastery of the cinematic form, the films take the uniqueness of the Estonian ‘spirit’ and tell stories that speak to everyone from across the world.
As always many of the films emanate from the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University – with plenty of directors originating from outside of Estonia. Whilst the aforementioned Estonian spirit still runs strong within them, these different voices also speak to the continuing diversity of Estonia and of the stories that are told.
Whilst fiction and documentary are well represented, the large number of Estonian animation films on offer renew the globally visible Estonian tradition and pass the torch from established creators to new, pertinent voices, many of which are authored by students at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Screenings

Hall 1 Kino Artis
Screening062102 / Shorts Rahvuslik võistlusprogramm 3
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Films

Baltic premiere

Your Humble Servant

Local title
Sinu alandlik teener
Original title
Your Humble Servant
Director
Marta Terribile
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Follows Haide and Toomas, a married couple known as Piip and Tuut, as they create a new clown show in Tallinn’s Botanical Garden, highlighting the profound intensity and collaborative spirit behind their artistry.

Director
Marta Terribile
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

The Shadow of Dawn

Local title
Eha vari
Original title
The Shadow of Dawn
Director
Olga Stalev
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts Panorama, Shorts National Competition

An incorporeal Shadow takes up a dangerous adventure through a mystical forest, fancy castle and dream world to save her frivolous owner from a cursed Beast.

Director
Olga Stalev
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Tree of Many Faces

Local title
Mitme näoga puu
Original title
Tree of Many Faces
Director
Johannes Magnus Aule
Country
Estonia, United Kingdom
Year
2023
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Anna, yearning for love, is drawn to a mystical ancient tree and its sinister Puppet Master after her affections for Juhan are spurned in favor of Maria. Desperate and heartbroken, Anna makes a wish to the tree, unaware of the dire price it demands.

Director
Johannes Magnus Aule
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

On Weary Wings Go By

Local title
Linnud läinud
Original title
Linnud läinud
Director
Anu-Laura Tuttelberg
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition, Shorts Panorama

A wintery poem of the Nordic nature. The sun moves low above the horizon, the days are getting shorter and shorter. The birds fly to the South, the porcelain animals and insects hide from the freezing wind and snow. Only a small porcelain girl wandering along the abandoned landscape doesn't seem to have a way out.

Director
Anu-Laura Tuttelberg
Runtime
Language
no dialogue

World premiere

A Cry For Me

Local title
Nuta minu pärast
Original title
A Cry For Me
Director
Annina Juuso
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Pirkko Fihlman was only a child when she had to flee her home in Karelia. Later, she began exploring her family's old tradition of crafting lamentations; creating cries for people in different circumstances. After a few decades, Fihlman started holding courses on the topic, which many people have found healing, and helping some connect with their old Karelian roots.

Director
Annina Juuso
Runtime
Language
Finnish
Subtitles
English

Estonian premiere

Flow of Being

Local title
Olemise kulg
Original title
Olemise kulg
Director
Helen Unt
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts Panorama, Shorts National Competition

A person is in the flow. They make a decision and keep flowing until all becomes one.

Director
Helen Unt
Runtime
Language
no dialogue

Baltic premiere

Maaimä

Local title
Maaimä
Original title
Maaimä
Director
Lucija Mrzljak
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition, Shorts Panorama

Maaimä is a music video made in collaboration with the renowned Estonian musician Mari Kalkun.

A song & video turning to Mother Earth, ’Maaimä’ is about the controversial relationship between humans and nature, comparing humans to bugs on the skin of the Earth. It’s a song addressing very contemporary problems such as the climate crisis, overpopulation and consumption. Written in one of the world oldest languages, Võro language, by poet Leila Holts, there is another layer to the song as an expression of indigenous cultures in a contemporary context, being the track-keepers and alarmers of possibly negative developments for nature.

The song is from the album 'Stories of Stonia' (Real World Records), produced by Mari Kalkun and Sam Lee. Song 'Maaimä' is released in collaboration with Brian Eno's Earth Percent initiative. Video is directed by Lucija Mrzljak.

Director
Lucija Mrzljak
Runtime
Language
no dialogue
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