At the open-air padel court ceremony, the festival announced its 2026 winners on Saturday, November 14.
Alexandre Siqueira’s “Terminal” (France, Portugal, Spain, 2026) was chosen as the best international animated film, and the grand prize for best short film went to Ingrid Runde Saxegaard’s “Sandy Fannies” (Norway, 2026).
The grand prize for the national competition went to Elonore de Montesquiou’s documentary “Lines” (2025). In addition to €1,000 prizes, all three films will be eligible for qualifying for an Academy Award should they fulfil the academy's requirements.
The award ceremony was directed by Helina Reinjärv, produced by Monika Tomingas, and performed by Daniela Privis, Eveli Ojasaar, Helerin Vaik, Helina Reinjärv, Juulius Vaiksoo, Karmen Teesi Pregel, Kaur Terep, Michele Teder, Pääsu-Liis Kens, Rene Köster, Richard Sakura, Sylvia Köster. Technical team included Uku Talmar, Simm Sebastian Säga, Aleksander Kohlap.
Jury: Jaanika Arum, Augusté Gerikaité, Emilie Poirier
GRAND PRIX FOR BEST FILM
1000€ presented by: PÖFF
“Sandy Fannies” (Norway, 2026)
Director: Ingrid Runde Saxegaard
Jury Statement: “For its beautifully minimalist storytelling, blurring the boundaries between being a daughter and a mother, and exploring coming of age at different stages of life. For the outstanding performances and bold direction, daring to embrace rawness both emotionally and physically, and for a story that invites us to see our own mothers through a different lens.”
JURY MENTION
“Case No.” (Poland, 2026)
Director: Patrycja Polkowska
Jury Statement: “For building quiet psychological pressure from its very first frame. Anchored by a deeply nuanced, captivating performance from its lead actress, it transforms a warehouse into a psychologically charged arena—leaving us with a haunting question: where does institutional loyalty end, and personal morality begin?”
BEST NEW TALENTS FILM
Presented by: Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts Institute
“Nobody Barks” (Spain, 2025)
Director: Júlia Coldwell Serra
Jury Statement: “For its remarkably assured filmmaking, blending incredible casting and deeply empathetic performances with a level of craft and tonal control that goes far beyond a typical student project. For an escalating lie that transforms into a poignant and darkly comedic exploration of grief, community, and family bonds. And with razor-sharp pacing and genuine emotional warmth, the film announces the arrival of a bold and distinctive new voice in European cinema.”
NEW TALENTS JURY MENTION
“My Enslaved Heart” (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2026)
Director: Džan Harba
Jury Statement: “Guided by two wonderful performances, this film is captured with quiet visual grace, unfolding at its own distinctive rhythm and humour. A road trip transforms into an existential journey of memory and exile, leaving an atmosphere that lingers long after—evoking the feeling of returning to a place that exists only in our hearts.”
Jury: Sandra Brunkow Simonsen, Violette Delvoye, Mait Laas
GRAND PRIX FOR BEST ANIMATION FILM
1000€ presented by: PÖFF
“Terminal” (France, Portugal, Spain, 2026)
Director: Alexandre Siqueira
Jury Statement: “After watching the film, one of the jurors said: ‘I wish I could make films like this’, and the deliberation of this winning film was made with very few words from the three of us. (Almost) No notes. It was a true pleasure to witness a story of lived life being made into a piece of art that we can all share. It felt like a film that was breathing like an organic living thing. We were touched, entertained, and blown away!”
JURY MENTION
“The Comet” (Canada, 2026)
Director: Julie Charette
Jury Statement: “In this well-written film we are invited to witness a slice of life – though telling us very little we understand a lot about the past, present and future of these characters. We are extremely moved by the relationship, the trauma, and the healing connection between brother and sister.”
BEST FILM NEW TALENTS: ANIMATION
Presented by: Estonian Academy of Arts
“Growing Stones, Flying Papers” (Germany, 2026)
Directors: Roozbeh Gezerseh, Soraya Shamsi
Jury Statement: “Smart, well-accomplished and very relevant! It is a strong political story created with technical excellence. It forces you (the audience) to look inward and find your courage and not be passive.”
JURY MENTION FOR NEW TALENTS: ANIMATION
“To Kill a Velofahrer” (Switzerland, 2026)
Directors: Helmi Korhonen, Ines Nungässer, Livio Frauendorf and Marvin Büeler
Jury Statement: “Good satire is a powerful tool, especially in the hands of young artists that will need to shape the future society. The film has its own rhythm that takes the viewers by the hand on a wild and dangerous path through the city.”
BEST CHILDREN’S FILM
“Shorts From the Box - Wild Things” (Hungary, 2025)
Director: Géza M. Tóth
Jury Statement: “This film is both intelligent, creative and imaginative in the way it plays with something quite ordinary – it makes the simplest of things truly magical. This kind of imagination is the most precious thing we can introduce to children.”
Jury: Daniel Sterlin-Altman, Grete Tähemaa, Sari Volanen
GRAND PRIX FOR BEST NATIONAL FILM
1000€ presented by: PÖFF
“Lines” (Estonia, 2025)
Director: Eleonore de Montesquiou
Jury Statement: “A lingering power of a life lived on the borderlands of society and acceptance. An intimately colourful reminder of the words we are all made of but shove aside for one reason or another. And we all felt the respect and loving admiration from the director.”
BEST NATIONAL LIVE-ACTION FILM
“Stolen Hearts” (Estonia, 2025)
Director: Leevi Oramo
Jury Statement: “A dream of a journey where time doesn’t matter, and we didn’t care! This playful thriller screamed to the front of our consciousness.”
BEST NATIONAL ANIMATION FILM
“A Serious Thought” (Estonia, 2025)
Director: Jonas Taul
Jury Statement: “Meticulous design kept us at the edge of our seats, grounding observation made sure we didn’t fall off them. This animated short removed the walls of adulthood, leaving us with the limitless inquiry of a child.”
BEST NATIONAL NON-SCRIPTED FILM
“The Borscht” (Estonia, 2026)
Director: Yuqing Jiang
Jury Statement: “Stir in a bunch of memory, finely dice in a story of migration, add two potatoes, and have this invitation into a touching reflection on grief.”