Over the years, the Tallinn Polytechnic Film Festival has grown from a small in-school event into a remarkable nationwide festival. In 2026, it will take place for the ninth time, bringing together young filmmakers from across Estonia.

Students from vocational schools, general education schools, hobby schools, and young people from youth centers who have a passion for filmmaking are all invited to participate. The festival offers a great opportunity for young creators to showcase their work and receive valuable feedback from professionals in the field.

New Wes Anderson, a gothic horror Cinderella, retrospectives of Jarmusch and Tarkovsky, and much more. This selection covers the top Estonian premieres and special screenings of the summer.

Retro horrors, an anthology of Soviet television clips, and a collection of the creepiest experimental horror films in history. Cultural journalist and film curator Daria Kozyr explains how the anniversary edition of Estonia’s horror and fantasy festival HÕFF is organized, how to navigate its program, and which films you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Estonian cinemas saw a dramatic drop in attendance from nearly 3.7 million visits in 2019 to around 1.4 million in recent years. This report examines five possible causes for this decline – the COVID‑19 pandemic, economic crisis, the war in Ukraine, film quality/appeal, and the growth of streaming – and evaluates which factors are supported by data versus anecdotal observation. All findings focus exclusively on Estonia, drawing on official statistics and reputable industry commentary.