Shorts National Competition 4

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
Screening072101 / Shorts Rahvuslik võistlusprogramm 4
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Films

Estonian premiere

Yummy

Local title
Yummy
Original title
Yummy
Director
Martinus Klemet
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts Panorama, Shorts National Competition

Julia works as a dog food tester. However, after a breakup, dog food will never taste the same.

Director
Martinus Klemet
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Eyes That Stare Too Long

Local title
Igavene silmapilk
Original title
Eyes That Stare Too Long
Director
Yessine Youssef
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

A fever dream of the experience of a violent night.

Director
Yessine Youssef
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Weight of Light

Local title
Pimeala
Original title
Weight of Light
Director
Anna Hints
Country
Estonia
Year
2023
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Surya, a teenage ragpicker, is being forced into an arranged union by her father, as a way to provide a better life for her. Between fiction and documentary, the film focuses on a community of female ragpickers who try to find their place in the world amidst garbage, scorching heat and forced marriages.

Director
Anna Hints
Runtime
Language
Hindi
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Breed

Local title
Sigi
Original title
Breed
Director
Yiyang Sun
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

The sky is vast, the wilderness is boundless.

While the lonely maple tree stands at the corner of the world.

It bears thousands of seeds,transforming into butterflies.

Flirting and dancing over the water bubbles

they fall in love.

Director
Yiyang Sun
Runtime
Language
no dialogue

Baltic premiere

Come Sit With Us

Local title
Ära ole uhke
Original title
Ära ole uhke
Director
Elis Rumma
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Lola ends up sitting on a bench with local women on Midsummer Eve. At first, all women's troubles are alien to her, but as the evening progresses, she begins to question her current perspectives, and as a result of the long benching, she grows up with the country women in her own way.

Director
Elis Rumma
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Estonian premiere

Let The Light Rise Upon The Forest

Local title
Las valgus paista metsale
Original title
Las Valgus Paista Metsale
Director
Hanna-Mirtel Paas
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

A young woman struggles to care for her critically ill mother. In her efforts to uplift her mom's self-esteem, she confronts her own hidden motivations, realising that fear of loss isn't her only driving force.

Director
Hanna-Mirtel Paas
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

European premiere

Soul Bird

Local title
Hingelind
Original title
Soul Bird
Director
Piret Potter
Country
Estonia
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2024
Programme
Shorts National Competition

A lively little girl runs across the field until she notices a dead bird lying on the ground. The soul leaves the bird’s body and starts moving towards the forest which the curious girl decides to follow. Not knowing what lies ahead, the child falls into the dark spirit world and must find her way back home.

Director
Piret Potter
Runtime
Language
no dialogue
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