Regulations

14th TALLINN BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

19 November - 5 December, 2010

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF, original name: Tallinna Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival) is an international festival that includes competitive feature film festival and competitive specialized film festivals. PÖFF aims to present a comprehensive selection of world cinema in all its diversity with the emphasis on European films.

PÖFF is organized by non-profit association Black Nights Film Festival (original name: mittetulundusühing Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival), located at Telliskivi 60A, 10412, Tallinn, Estonia, phone: +372 631 4640, fax: +372 631 4644, e-mail: poff@poff.ee, internet: www.poff.ee .
PÖFF is recognized by FIAPF as associated competitive specialized feature film festival.

The 14th edition of PÖFF will be held from 17 November to 5 December, 2010 in Tallinn and Tartu with touring programme screenings in other Estonian towns. Specialized sub-festival Nokia Mobile Film Festival will take place in the internet.

The 14th PÖFF includes five festivals with distinct separate regulations. Submissions are expected in the following categories (more detailed regulations follow):

1. Black Nights Film Festival main programme (24 November – 5 December, 2010)

1.1 - international competition EurAsia
full-length films from Eurasia premiered after 15 September, 2009

1.2 - Tridens Baltic feature film competition
full-length films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania premiered after 15 September, 2009

1.3 - North American independent film competition
full-length films from Canada and US premiered after 15 September, 2009

2. Children and Youth Film Festival Just Film (19 – 28 November, 2010)

2.1 - international competition
full-length films for children and young people premiered after 1 January, 2009

3. Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams (19 – 23 November, 2010)

3.1 - international competition
short and medium-length animated films premiered after 1 January, 2009

4. Student and Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers (20 – 24 November, 2010)

4.1 - international competition
short and medium-length films made by film or media students premiered after 1 January, 2009

4.2 - national competition
short and medium-length films from Estonia premiered after 1 January, 2009

5. Nokia Mobile Film Festival MOFF (1 September – 3 December, 2010)

5.1 - international competition
short films made with mobile phones

Participation in any sections of PÖFF shall assume observation of all articles of the present 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 runs from 24 November to 5 December, 2010 and consists of:

Competitive sections:
• International competition EurAsia for feature films from Eurasian continent;
• Regional competition – Scottish Leader Baltic feature film competition.
• North American competition - indie feature film competition

Non-competitive sections:
• Informative film programmes of new films from around the world;
• Thematic retrospectives and tributes;
• Special events.

1.1 International competition EurAsia

Monetary prizes
Grand Prix 10 000 Euros and Golden Wolf
Cinematography Award 1.000 Euros and Bronze Wolf

Eligible films must be:
a) full-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) majority produced by European or Asian company;
c) premiered after 15 September, 2009;
d) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
e) with English subtitles, if not in English;
f) Estonian premieres (not required for national submissions).

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. Completed submission form and preview copy with English subtitles should be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to poff@poff.ee. When film is selected, You will be sent an official Entry Form, which needs to be filled and sent with additional materials to our address or electronically to poff@poff.ee.

When a film is selected to participate in the competition programme, the following materials have to be provided to the festival: a trailer (30 to 60 sec), translation materials (dialogue lists in original language and in English, spotting list, screener), posters and, if available, other promotional materials.

The festival invites the director (or another filmmaker) as its guest, covering the travel and accommodation in Tallinn for 3 nights as well as festival accreditation. The festival may invite more members of the cast and/or crew of the competition film and/or cover more expenses.

The festival director appoints at least five 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 (Bronze Wolf for all Prizes):
- Grand Prix for the Best Film (with scholarship of 10.000 euros in cash, equally shared by the director and producer)
- Award for the best cinematography are presented to the best director of photography or cinematographer (with cash award of 1.000 euros) by the Estonian Society of Cinematographers
- Special Jury Prize
- Prize to the Best Director
- Prize to the Best Actor
- Prize to the Best Actress

1.2 Tridens Baltic feature film competition

Monetary prizes with Bronze Wolf:
Tridens Baltic Film Award 5000 Euros
Scottish Leader Estonian Film Award 50 000 Estonian kroons
Award for Best Cinematography 1000 Euros

Eligible films must be:
a) full-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) produced or co-produced by Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian company;
c) presentation print/tape finished after 15 September, 2009;
d) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
e) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. Completed submission form and preview copy with English subtitles should be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to poff@poff.ee. When film is selected, You will be sent an official Entry Form, which needs to be filled and sent with additional materials to our address or electronically to poff@poff.ee.

When a film is selected to participate in the competition programme, the following materials have to be provided to the festival: a trailer (30 to 60 sec), translation materials (dialogue lists in original language and in English, spotting list, screener), posters and, if available, other promotional materials.

The festival invites the director (or another filmmaker) as its guest, covering the travel and accommodation in Tallinn for 3 nights as well as festival accreditation (for Latvian and Lithuanian participants). The festival provides festival accreditation for two members of the cast and/or crew of the competition film (for Estonian participants). The festival may invite more members of the cast and/or crew of the competition film and/or cover more expenses.

The festival director 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 issue the Tridens Baltic Film Award for the Best Film (with scholarship of 5.000 Euros in cash, equally shared by the director and producer) and Scottish Leader Estonian Film Award (with scholarship of 50.000 Estonian kroons in cash, equally shared by the director and producer).

1.3 North American independent film competition

Distribution potential award and Bronze Wolf

Eligible films must be:
f) full-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
g) produced or co-produced by Canadian or US company;
h) presentation print/tape finished after 15 September, 2009;
i) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
j) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. Completed submission form and preview copy with English subtitles should be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to poff@poff.ee. When film is selected, You will be sent an official Entry Form, which needs to be filled and sent with additional materials to our address or electronically to poff@poff.ee.

When a film is selected to participate in the competition programme, the following materials have to be provided to the festival: a trailer (30 to 60 sec), translation materials (dialogue lists in original language and in English, spotting list, screener), posters and, if available, other promotional materials.

The festival invites the director (or another filmmaker) as its guest, covering the travel and accommodation in Tallinn for 3 nights as well as festival accreditation. The festival may invite more members of the cast and/or crew of the competition film and/or cover more expenses.

The festival director 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 issue the award for the North American Indie Film with best distribution potential (distribution in Baltic Cinamon cinemas, promotional activities in TV channel Silver)

1.4 Non-competitive section

Films not selected 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) full-length (+60 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) premiered after 15 September, 2008;
c) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English;
e) Estonian premieres.

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. Completed entry form, including additional materials, and a preview copy with English subtitles should be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to poff@poff.ee.

The festival may invite members of the cast and/or crew of any film in the non-competitive sections providing the travel, accommodation and/or festival accreditation.

1.5 Programming

The selection of the films is carried out by the programming committee headed by the festival director. The programming committee 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, excluding press screenings. Exact number of screenings is confirmed beforehand with each participant.

The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by 20 October, 2010. Selected film can be withdrawn until 27 October, 2010. No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.

1.6 Additional awards

Official festival award with Bronze Wolf:
- Lifetime Achievement Award for national or foreign filmmaker issued by the festival organisation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.

Awards (Diploma) by independent juries, presented in official festival award ceremony:
- Audience Award is issued for a feature film from any festival section (with cash award of 2.000 euros and an antique storm lantern 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;

Festival has the right to add or increase the amount of monetary prizes if additional funds or sponsors are obtained.

1.7 Film prints and videos/DVDs

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.

2.1 Children and Youth Film Festival Just Film runs from 19 to 28 November, 2010 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, 2009;
c) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
d) Estonian premieres (not required for national submissions).

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. 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, 2010. 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.

The festival will cover all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during their stay in Estonia.

3.1 Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams runs from 19 to 23 November, 2010 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, 2009;
c) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for entries is 15 August, 2010. Completed entry form, additional materials on CD and a preview copy with English subtitles must be sent to the festival office by that date. Documentation may be sent electronically to anima@poff.ee.

The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by 6 October, 2010. 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
- Nomination for ANOBA award from among all Estonian films (in and out of competition)

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 (VHS or 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 participant, unless otherwise negotiated. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the festival. 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.

4.1 Student and Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers runs from 20 to 24 November, 2010 and consists of:

• International competition programme of short and medium-length films made by film or media students;
• International competition programme of short and medium-length films;
• National competition programme of Estonian short and medium-length films;
• Non-competitive informative film programmes, retrospectives and special presentations.

International competition for students

Eligible films must be:
a) short and medium-length (-45 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) directed by film or media student;
c) premiered after 1 January, 2009;
d) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
e) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for both international and national entries is 15 September, 2010. 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 sleepwalkers@poff.ee.

The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by mid of October, 2010.
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, offering free festival accreditation and free accommodation upon possibility. 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 for the Best Film
- Prize for the Best Fiction
- Prize for the Best Animation
- Prize for the Best Documentary

The international jury is allowed to issue up to three Special Mentions for various achievements.

International competition for shorts

Eligible films must be:
a) short and medium-length (-45 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) premiered after 1 January, 2009;
c) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
d) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for both international and national entries is 15 September, 2010. 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 sleepwalkers@poff.ee.

The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by mid of October, 2010.
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, offering free festival accreditation and free accommodation upon possibility. 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 for the Best Film

The international jury is allowed to issue up to three Special Mentions for various achievements.

National competition

Eligible films must be:
a) short and medium-length (-45 min) films: fiction, documentary or animation;
b) produced or co-produced by Estonian company or directed by Estonian citizen;
c) premiered after 1 January, 2010;
d) screened in 35 mm or broadcast video formats;
e) with English subtitles, if not in English.

The deadline for entries is 15 September, 2010. Completed entry form, including additional materials and a preview copy must be sent to the festival office by that date.
Documentation may be sent electronically to sleepwalkers@poff.ee.

The selection of a submitted film will be informed to the applicant by mid of October, 2010.
No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.

The festival provides festival accreditation for two 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 issue the Prize for the Best Estonian Short Film. The international jury is allowed to issue up to two Special Mentions for various achievements.

Film prints and videos/DVDs

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 participant, unless otherwise negotiated. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the festival. 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.

5.1 Nokia Mobile Film Festival MOFF runs from 1 September to 3 December, 2010 and consists of:

• International competition programme of short films made with mobile phones.

Eligible films must be:
a) short (30 sec to 3 min) films;
b) filmed with mobile phones, editing is allowed;
c) max size 30 MB for submission upload, no size limit for the presentation file after selection is confirmed;
d) in formats .mpg, .avi, .wmv, .rm, .dat, .mp4, .flv, or .3gp.

The application period of entries is from 1 September to 14 November, 2010. Film submissions can be uploaded to the festival website www.moff.ee and completed entry form, including additional materials sent to info@moff.ee during this period.

All submitted films are available for viewing and public vote at the festival website until 24 November, 2010. Films selected by the preliminary jury of up to five film professionals and favorite films of public voters will make up the final competition line-up. The selection will be informed to the applicant by 26 November, 2010. No film selected may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed by the eligible applicant.

The head of the festival appoints up to five members of the international jury. No jury member may have been involved in the production or promotion of any film in the competition. The jury is obliged to choose the Best Mobile Phone Film.

Audience's favourite film will be chosen from all films in the competition.

14th TALLINN BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

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