So much happened in the world in 1997. DVDs began to replace VHS tapes, Netflix started to hunt the throne of video rental, photo camera moved to mobile phone, and Tamagotchis became our pets.

And PÖFF came. So powerfully that for 27 years in a row, PÖFF has been an irreplaceable major event. In its constant growth, PÖFF is able to unite people from all over the world again and again here in little Estonia. 528 films from 73 countries are waiting. Among them, 51 world premieres and 18 non-English language films nomineed for the Oscars. A total of 865 cinema sessions.

Cinema can do something very special - to put people with different experiences and understandings to sit next to each other and instead of declaring their opinion, be silent and listen. Even if what is said or done in the film is a little uncomfortable, sometimes completely unpleasant or simply disconcerting. These common points of contact gained from a cinema session are invaluable at a time, when opposing beliefs are replacing universal truths.

PÖFF is here and presents movies that touches us. They touch topics nobody wants to talk about. They touch people who have not been able to speak. They touch their viewer. Because a really good movie can thrill, take your breath away, move your heart, shock you and finally knock you off your feet. The most important thing is the film's ability to put the viewer in someone else's shoes, open up a previously unknown perspective and ignite new feelings.

Come to PÖFF and celebrate the power of cinema to unite people and to grow understanding and empathy. It is worth looking for good films through curated programs or why not specifically by keywords and genres. A true PÖFF experience always includes a blindly selected film and a breath of the insane fun of the festival: an opening ceremony or an award ceremony, an experience in a restaurant and dinner with the filmmakers in your own kitchen or a rave in the parking lot.

See you at PÖFF!