This year, the international competition for children's animation will screen a total of 13 films in three screenings.
All the films will be screened in Estonia for the first time and only once, including the international premiere of the Chinese animated film "Rare Stone" (dir. Jiahang Li). A new animated film "Hoofs On Skates" (Lithuania, 2024) by Ignas Meilūnas , the director of the 2020 winner, will also be screened.
"Our selected animations tell stories about children here and now. Their worries, their joys, their challenges and their actions. Whether it's being trapped by technology, caring for a loved one with special needs or living in harmony with nature, each story invites the viewer to think along with them," says Liis Sein, children's author and assistant director of the Estonian Children's Literature Centre.
"At the same time, the programme is full of joyful and humorous fantasy worlds that allow you to relax, laugh and wonder," she adds. "It's an adventure that brings the family together and inspires discussions and dreams."
The different collections are aimed at different age groups, and the films with dialogue are dubbed by Karmen Karus and Christopher Rajaveer.
The competition programme was put together by Liis Sein, Tiina Undrits and Liina Otto from the Estonian Children's Literature Centre in collaboration with Vassilis Kroustallis, head of the animation programme at PÖFF Shorts.
The international festival of short films and animation PÖFF Shorts will take place from 8 to 20 November with screenings in Tallinn and Tartu.
The full festival programme will be announced on 31 October.