The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) has revealed the lineup for its Official Competition, which will be showcased during the 30th edition of the event, running from 6 to 22 November. This year’s selection includes 12 films from 15 countries, many of which are co-productions. PÖFF artistic director Triin Tramberg highlighted that the competition brings together both established filmmakers and those making their second feature films, emphasizing that the discovery of new talent is a core aspect of the festival. The films are noted for their strong storytelling and their ability to offer fresh perspectives on familiar themes. Among the European entries, A Job Well Done by Frédéric Baillif (Switzerland) follows social workers dealing with complex issues such as migrants, asylum seekers, homelessness, and domestic violence, as their professional responsibilities begin to affect their personal lives. Caballé, directed by Patricia Ortega (Spain/Belgium), focuses on the renowned opera singer Montserrat Caballé, who, nearing 60, returns to Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu in 1991 to perform Die Walküre. The film explores her personal and professional challenges during this performance. Ortega previously directed Mamacruz, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and 9 Moons, which was released earlier this year. Estonian filmmaker Janno Jürgens returns to PÖFF with his second feature film, No Me Without You, a psychological thriller centered on two estranged sisters whose rekindled emotions and unresolved conflicts resurface after a tragic event. Jürgens previously directed Rain in 2020, following his short film Distance, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival. From Ireland, Declan Recks’ One Sweet Hour follows an aging Elvis impersonator as he travels through the Irish midlands with his long-lost brother, who has recently left a monastery after 30 years. Recks has previously directed features such as Eden and The Flag, as well as television productions like The South Westerlies and Faithless. Hungarian director Attila Hartung presents Sinless, a thriller in which a grief-stricken journalist infiltrates the dinner party of one of the country’s most politically connected families, only to discover he may be the one being hunted. Hartung previously directed FOMO: Fear of Missing Out, which was shown in Tallinn Black Nights’ Just Film programme in 2019. Patrice Toye’s The Assignment is set in Flanders in 1947 and follows a 16-year-old boy grappling with the trauma of war, peer pressure, emerging sexuality, and the need for acceptance at a summer camp. Toye has previously directed Little Black Spiders and Tench, both of which explore complex family and coming-of-age themes. The Official Competition jury will be led by Sir Christopher Hampton, a two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter and director. Joining him are Lebanese producer Myriam Sassine, US cinematographer and visual-effects specialist David Stump, French producer Julie Billy, and Estonian actress Tiina Tauraite. The Grand Prix for Best Film in the Official Competition includes a €20,000 grant from the City of Tallinn. The full list of Official Competition titles includes A Job Well Done – Frédéric Baillif (Switzerland), Where Is My Son? – Dias Bertis (Kazakhstan), Sht Happens – José María Cabral (Dominican Republic), Drumskin – Joaquín Cambre (Argentina), Sinless – Attila Hartung (Hungary), No Me Without You – Janno Jürgens (Estonia), The Matriarch – Alison Kuhn (Germany), Caballé – Patricia Ortega (Spain/Belgium), On Top of the Cliff – Enrica Perez (Mexico/Peru/Switzerland), I Just Want to Talk to My Mom – Mohsen Rabiei (Iran/Turkey), One Sweet Hour – Declan Recks (Ireland), and The Assignment – Patrice Toye (Belgium/Germany/Netherlands).