PÖFF - BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL SIDE FESTIVAL
21st HÕFF – April 30 - May 2nd 2026

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF), taking place annually on the final weekend of April, is the “one and only stop” for the genre hungry in the Baltics.

Held in the unique setting of the city of Haapsalu - once a renown summer retreat of the Russian Czars, now a picturesque town, and the home of an infamous Baltic ghost - the White Lady, haunting the medieval castle on the the western coast of Estonia.

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival is organised by the team of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Film categories

Feature Films
International genre cinema feature films (45 minutes or over) for main programme consideration.

Short Films
International genre cinema short films (45 minutes or under) for out of competition short film programme consideration.

Méliès d’Argent Competition for European Short Films
European genre cinema short films (25 minutes or under). HÕFF, as a member of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation, holds a competition for European Short Films where an international jury gives out a Silver Méliès (Méliès d’Argent) to the best film. The Méliès d’Or is presented annually at the Festival Internacional de Cinema de Catalunya in Sitges (Spain).

Awards & Prizes

Audience Favourite Award:
Chosen by popular vote by the Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival audience.

Méliès d’Argent Award for the Best European Short Film:
The winning film goes on to compete for the Méliès d'Or at the European Fantastic Film Festival Federation's end-of-the-year gala.

Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi Feature
Chosen by Estonian Science Fiction Association jury

Best Estonian Genre Film
Chosen by Haapsalu Youth Jury

Rules & Terms

Regulations and requirements

1.1 Films premiered after: April 1st 2025
1.2 Short (45 minutes or under) or full-length (45 minutes or over) films
1.3 Genre cinema (fantasy, horror, sci-fi, etc.)
1.4 Screening format: DCP (Interop or SMPTE), ProRes
1.5 Translation: with English subtitles if not spoken in English

Méliès d’Argent Competition Film Eligibility Criteria

2.1 Films premiered after: January 1st, 2025
2.2 Short films (25 minutes or under)
2.3 The Film must belong to the fantastic genre
2.4 The Film must not have won a Silver Méliès at another festival
2.5 The Film must be a European production.

The determination of the European character of a film is done according to the 2 following options:
The director(s) is (are) European and in this case a co-production could be considered (1 or 2 European countries and 1 non-European country).
The director(s) is (are) non-European, in which case the production has to be entirely European (a non-European co-production, even as a minority interest, is not accepted).

The list of countries accepted as European is:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Croatia.

Fore more information, please contact jette.karmin@poff.ee
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • William B. James

    We had an awesome time at the festival!!! So much fun being around so many Horror fans - the screenings were all packed! Such a cool atmosphere watching films together with cast and crew, all supported by a caring team of organizers. I miss Haapsalu already!!!

    May 2026
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  • Michael Panduro

    A wonderful and special experience. Thank you!

    May 2026
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  • Francesco Gabriele

    We were truly fortunate to be nominated for a Méliès d'argent and have the world premiere of our 16mm horror short, 'Hunger Beneath the Moonlight', at the Haapsalu Horror & Fantasy Film Festival. It was, without a doubt, one of the best festivals we've ever attended.

    The organizers and team were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and supportive throughout. The event was impeccably run, with great communication and a real sense of care for the filmmakers.

    Both of our short film screenings sold out, and the audience response was fantastic. An unforgettable experience for a premiere.

    We couldn’t have asked for a better festival to launch our film. Highly recommended!

    May 2026
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  • Michael Stasko

    Many thanks for including "Vampire Zombies...from Space!" as part of this year's festival! Amazing to have a premiere in Estonia!

    May 2025
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  • Aggressive TV

    Great Festival, team and vibes!

    May 2024
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