Nikolaj Nikitin, the curator of Critic's Picks Competition reveals the carefully curated side competition programme (Launched two years ago) lining up 10 exclusive world premieres from around the globe. 

The conception of the third edition of Critics’ Picks competition is to present the most daring and caring voices of world cinema and show contemporary masterpieces. For the third year in a row, The Critics’ Picks programming team is headed by Nikolaj Nikitin, head of SOFA School of Film Advancement, bringing in several decades of experience as a curator, film magazine editor-in-chief, journalist and author.

"As the curatorial thin red line, we have a lot of brilliantly executed genre films, and I'm particularly proud to announce that our opening and closing films are hilarious black comedies from Portugal and Japan," sums up Nikitin this year's selection.

The opening film of Critic's Picks 2024 is Paolo Marinou-Blanco's Dreaming Of Lions, which was also presented by PÖFF at the Goes To Cannes project showcase at Marche du Film. The ending title of the programme section is The Brothers Kitaura by Masaki Tsujino. 

"Let's compare this year's selection to a menu created by an experienced chef. You may have to wait longer for a table, but you'll never forget the culinary and sensual experience, and it can't be compared to a fast-food burger. So enjoy the cinematic delicatessen in this year's Critic's Picks selection", shared Nikitin his thoughts. 

The festival director, Tiina Lokk added: "Critics Picks complements our Official Selection and First Feature competition of both genre and author diversity. The programme could be described as chamber-like cinema."

The geographical range of Critic's Picks sidebar includes countries like Bhutan, Ecuador and Kazakhstan. "I am sure that the directors and artistic teams, which we present, will be known to an international cinema audience in the near future. PÖFF's Critic's Picks gives them a safe haven to present their work and to be discovered internationally," elaborated Nikitin. 


CRITICS PICKS COMPETITION 2024: FILM DETAILS 

Dreaming Of Lions, 2024, Portugal, Spain, Brazil; 
director: Paolo Marinou-Blanco. World premiere.

Fishgirl, 2024, Ecuador;
director: Javier Cutrona. World premiere. 

Hani, 2024, Canada;  
director: Hou Dasheng. World premiere.

I, The Song, 2024, Bhutan, Norway, Italy, France;
director: Dechen Roder. World premiere. 

Jōhatsu, 2024, Lithuania;
directors: Lina Lužytė, Nerijus Milerius. World premiere.

Moor, 2024, Kazakhstan, France;
director: Adilkhan Yerzhanov. World Premiere. 

Nobody Likes Me, 2024, Czechia, Slovakia, France;
directors: Petr Kazda, Tomáš Weinreb. World premiere. 

Streets of Glória, 2024, Brazil;
director: Felipe Sholl. World Premiere.

The Body, 2024, Italy;
director: Vincenzo Alfieri. World Premiere.

The Brothers Kitaura, 2024, Italy;
director: Masaki Tsujino. World Premiere.

The 28th edition of PÖFF l will take place from the 8th until the 24th of November, while the festival’s industry platform Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event will run from 14th until the 22nd of November. 

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival with Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event and with the two sub-festivals, Just Film and PÖFF Shorts, has grown into one of the biggest film festivals in Northern Europe and the busiest regional industry platforms.