Tallinn Black Nights Unveils Winners for 2024 Edition

The 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival concluded on Saturday, November 23, with winners unveiled during a closing ceremony at the Alexela Concert Hall in Tallinn. Prizes were awarded across six competitive sections: Official Selection, First Feature, Baltic Film Competition, Critics’ Picks, Rebels with a Cause, and DOC@PÖFF.

In the Official Selection, the Grand Prix for Best Film, carrying a €20,000 prize from the city of Tallinn, went to “Silent City Driver” by Sengedorj Janchivdorj. The film’s producers — Ganbaatar Narantsetseg, Naranbat Bayasgalan, and Bold Ganbat — share the award.

Best Director went to Nir Bergman for “Pink Lady.” Claudia Becerril Bulos received the Best Cinematography prize for “Empire of the Rabbits,” which also picked up Best Script for director Seyfettin Tokmak. Acting awards went to Hyo Je Lee (“The Loop”) and Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtilä (“100 Liters of Gold”). The Best Original Score award went to Alyana Cabral and Moe Cabral for “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking,” and Best Production Design was awarded to Munkhbat Shirnen for “Silent City Driver.”

In the First Feature section, “No Dogs Allowed” by Steve Bache took Best Film, with a €5,000 prize shared between the director and producers. Diego Figueroa won Best Director for “A Yard of Jackals.” Jury Special Prizes were given to the ensemble cast of “Mongrels” and to “Ciao Bambino” director Edgardo Pistone.

The Baltic Film Competition awarded Best Film to “Southern Chronicles,” directed by Ignas Miškinis. Best Director went to Laurynas Bareiša for “Drowning Dry.”

In the Critics’ Picks competition, Best Film was awarded to “The Brothers Kitaura,” directed by Masaki Tsujino. Best Director went to Dechen Roder for “I, The Song.” A Special Mention was given to “Fishgirl” by Javier Cutrona.

In ‘Rebels with a Cause,' “Protected Men,” directed by Irene von Alberti, took Best Film. Best Director was awarded to Ruiqi Lu for “Contact Lens.”

The DOC@PÖFF competition awarded Best Film to “The Watchman,” directed by Victoire Bonin and Lou de Pontavice. Best Cinematography went to Linas Žiūra for “Murmuring Hearts.” “Black Gold” received a Jury Special Prize.

The FIPRESCI Award was presented to “Mongrels,” directed by Jerome Yoo. The Audience Award, carrying a €3,000 cash prize, went to “Pyre,” directed by Vinod Kapri.