15th TALLINN BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
16 - 30 November, 2011
Regulations
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF, original name: Tallinna Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival) is an international festival that includes a competitive feature film festival and competitive specialized film festivals. PÖFF aims to present a comprehensive selection of the world cinema in all its diversity with the emphasis on European films.
PÖFF is organized by the non-profit association Black Nights Film Festival (original name: MTÜ Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival), located at Telliskivi 60A, 10412, Tallinn, Estonia, phone: +372 631 4640, fax: +372 631 4644, e-mail: filmrights@poff.ee, internet: www.poff.ee.
PÖFF is recognized by FIAPF as an associated competitive specialized feature film festival.
The 15th edition of PÖFF will be held from 16 - 30 November, 2011 in Tallinn and Tartu with touring programme screenings in other Estonian towns.
The 15th PÖFF submissions are expected in the following categories (more detailed regulations follow):
1. Black Nights Film Festival main programme (16 - 30 November, 2011)
1.1 - international competition EurAsia with 10 000 EUR grand prix and other monetary prizes
Feature length films from European and Asian territories premiered after 15 September, 2010
1.2 - regional competition - HEAVE(i)N Baltic feature film competition
Feature length films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania premiered after 15 September, 2010
1.3 - North American competition - indie feature film competition
Feature length films from Canada and US premiered after 15 September, 2010
1.4 - Non-competitive sections
Feature length films premiered after 1 January, 2010
2. Children and Youth Film Festival Just Film (17 – 27 November, 2011)
2.1 - international competition
Feature length films for children and young people premiered after 1 January, 2010
2.2 - Non-competitive sections
Feature length films premiered after 1 January 2010
3. Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams (16 – 27 November, 2011)
3.1 - international competition
Short and medium-length animated films premiered after 1 January, 2010
3.2 - Non-competitive sections
Animated films premiered after 1 January 2010
By submitting a film for any section of PÖFF, you will agree to and follow the current Regulations. The festival director has the power to settle all cases and issues not covered by these Regulations.
1. Black Nights Film Festival main programme lasts from 16 to 30 November, 2011 and consists of:
1.1 International competition EurAsia
Prizes:
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Grand Prix for the Best Film (Wolf and scholarship of 10.000 euros, equally shared by the director and producer)
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Wolf to the Best Cinematography
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Wolf for Special Jury Prize
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Wolf to the Best Director
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Wolf to the Best Actor
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Wolf to the Best Actress
Eligible film must be:
a) feature length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation
b) European or Asian production or co-production
c) premiered after 15 September, 2010
d) screened exclusively in 35 mm or DCP format
e) in English or with English subtitles
f) an Estonian premiere
g) for further submission details, please see the info below
1.2 Tridens Baltic feature film competition
Prizes:
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Tridens Baltic Film Award for the Best Film (Wolf and scholarship of 5 000 Euros, equally shared by the director and producer)
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HEAVE(i)N Estonian Film Award (Wolf and scholarship of 3 200 Euros, equally shared by the director and producer)
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Award for the best cinematography are presented to the best director of photography or cinematographer (Wolf)
Eligible films must be:
a) feature-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian production or co-production
c) premiered after 15 September, 2010
d) screened in 35 mm, DCP or HDCAM format
e) in English or with English subtitles
f) for further submission details, please see the info below
1.3 North American competition - indie feature film competition
Prize:
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Wolf
Eligible film must be:
a) feature-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation
b) Canadian or US production or coproduction
c) completed after 15 September 2010
d) screened in 35 mm, DCP or HDCAM format
e) in English or with English subtitles
f) an Estonian premiere
g) for further submission details, please see the info below
1.4 Non-competitive section
Films not confirmed for the competition sections can be invited to non-competitive sections. There are no geographic restrictions for films in non-competitive sections.
Eligible films must be:
a) feature-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) premiered after 1 January, 2010;
c) screened in 35 mm, DCP or broadcast video formats. No DVDs or Blue Ray discs permitted.
d) in English or with English subtitles
e) an Estonian premiere
f) for further submission details, please see the info below
Additional info
The submission deadline is 15 September, 2011.
By this date:
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you should fill in the online entry form (http://vp.eventival.eu/poff/15/films)
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the preview copy (DVD) with English subtitles of the submitted films should arrive at our office
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you should send additional materials (biography and filmography of director, stills of the film, synopsis of the film) on CD to our office or electronically to filmrights@poff.ee
Please note that selected status in our online submission system (Eventival) does not guarantee confirmation to the festival programming due to fee, print and rights availability at Estonian territories.
When a film is confirmed to participate in the competition programme, the following materials have to be provided to the festival by 1 November 2011:
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trailer of the film (30 to 60 sec) either on DVD or online
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translation materials (dialogue lists in original language and in English, spotting list, screener)
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posters
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other promotional materials (if available)
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permission to include the screener in our video library for jury and accredited industry viewings
To ensure the highest quality of presentation of films in competition, all screening copies must be either 35mm or DCP with appropriate quality and soundtrack and English subtitles. Please note that damaged or dubbed copies as well as consumer formats are not permitted in competition. Hence, the festival has the right to refuse the screening of the film in the competition if above-mentioned guidelines are not being followed.
Please note that if the screening format of the film in the competition program is not 35mm or DCP, festival has the right to withdraw the selected film from the competition.
The festival director appoints at least five members of the international jury for EurAsia competition and at least three members for other competition programmes. No jury member may have been involved in the production or promotion of any of the films in the competition.
When the film is selected for the competition program, the festival will invite the Director (or, if unavailable, another filmmaker) to present the film. When the film is selected to any program in the non-competitive section, the festival may invite the filmmakers or members of the cast to present the film. Further details will be included in the official invitation.
1.5 Programming
The programming committee, presided by the festival director, selects the films for the competitions. The committee also determines the programme schedule and sets the screening order for all films. Each film may be screened up to four times during the Festival, including touring screenings but excluding press screenings. Exact number of screenings is confirmed beforehand with each participant.
If the submitted film is selected, the festival will inform the applicant by 10 October, 2011. Selected film can be withdrawn until 17 October, 2011. No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.
The invoices for the film rights or print loans should be sent for payments no later than 3 months after the end of the festival. The festival cannot accept invoices sent after that date.
1.6 Additional awards
Official festival award with Wolf:
- Lifetime Achievement Award to the national or foreign filmmaker/film professional issued by the festival organisation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.
Awards (Diploma) by independent juries, presented in the official festival award ceremony:
- Audience Award is issued for a feature film from any festival section (with cash scholarship of 2.000 euros for the director);
- Don Quijote Award for the best film is issued by the jury of the International Federation of Film Societies (FICC) for a film in the international competition;
- The Best Asian film is selected by the NETPAC jury among Asian feature films from any festival section;
- Critics' Award, issued by the jury of International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) for a feature film from Tridens Baltic feature film competition;
1.7 Shipping of the film prints, videos/DVDs and other materials
All costs related to the shipping of the preview copy (DVD) and materials are the responsibility of the applicant. Submitted preview copies may be returned to the applicant or forwarded only at the applicant's expense. All packages must be clearly marked with the title of the film, the sender’s name, return address and telephone and Festival address:
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
Attn: Programming
Telliskivi 60A
Tallinn 10412, Estonia
Costs related to the shipping of the screening copies (35 mm film prints or broadcast video material) to Tallinn are the responsibility of the festival, unless otherwise negotiated. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the participant. The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 14 days after the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the applicant. The festival will cover all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during their stay in Estonia.
2.1 Children and Youth Film Festival Just Film runs from 17 to 27 November, 2011 and consists of:
· International competition programme of feature films for children;
· International competition programme of feature films for young people;
· Non-competitive informative programmes, retrospectives and special presentations.
Eligible films must be:
a) full-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) premiered after 1 January, 2010;
c) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English.
e) Estonian premieres (not required for national submissions).
The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2011. Completed entry form, including additional materials, and a preview copy with English subtitles must be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to justfilm@poff.ee.
Films in competition may be presented in PÖFF main programme non-competitive section and touring screenings after Just Film.
The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by 26 October, 2011. No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.
The festival may invite members of the cast and/or crew of any film in any section providing the travel, accommodation and/or festival accreditation.
Local children's jury of five members will choose the best children's film. Local youth jury of five members will choose the best youth film. Both juries may award up to two Special Mentions for various achievements.
Audience award for the best film will be chosen from all films.
All costs related to the transportation of the preview copy (DVD) and materials are the responsibility of the applicant. Submitted preview copies may be returned to the applicant or forwarded only at the applicant's expense.
Costs related to the transportation of the screening copies (35 mm film prints or broadcast video material) to Tallinn are the responsibility of the festival, unless otherwise negotiated. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the participant. The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 14 days after the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the applicant.
The festival will cover all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during their stay in Estonia.
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3.1. 13th Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams runs from 16 to 20 November, 2011 and consists of:
• International competition programme of short and medium-length animated films;
• Non-competitive informative programmes, retrospectives and special presentations.
Eligible films must be:
a) short and medium-length (-45 min) animated films;
b) premiered after 1 January, 2010;
c) screened in 35 mm, HDCAM, DigiBeta, or Blu-ray;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English.
Film entry:
The deadline for entries is August 15, 2011. By this date online entry form must be completed (http://vp.eventival.eu/poff/15/films ). Additional materials (biography and filmography of director, stills of the film, synopsis of the film) on CD and a preview copy (DVD) with English subtitles should arrive at our office by that date.
The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by October 1, 2011. No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.
The festival invites the competition film director (or another filmmaker) as its guest, covering the accommodation in Tallinn for 3 nights and festival accreditation. The festival may invite more members of the cast and/or crew of the competition film.
The head of the festival appoints at least three members of the international jury. No jury member may have been involved in the production or promotion of any film in the competition.
The international jury is obliged to award:
• Grand Prix "Wooden Wolf" for the Best Film;
• Prize for the Best Story;
• Prize for the Best Design.
The international jury is allowed to issue up to three Special Mentions for various achievements.
All costs related to the transportation of the preview copy and materials are the responsibility of the applicant. Submitted preview copies may be returned to the applicant or forwarded only at the applicant's expense.
Costs related to the transportation of the screening copies (35 mm film prints or broadcast video material) to Tallinn are the responsibility of the participant, unless otherwise negotiated. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the festival. The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 30 days after the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the applicant.
The festival will cover all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during their stay in Estonia.
