PÖFF's main programme comprises 220 feature films from 74 countries. The international competition programme EurAsia, held for the sixth year, features 20 films from Europe and Asia. The Tridens Baltic feature film competition, held for the second time, presents 9 feature films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This year PÖFF also introduces the North-American independent film competition programme, comprising 10 films from the United States and Canada, many of which are premieres for Europe.

All competition programmes are judged by international juries. Baltic films are judged by representatives from the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), and there are also juries from the International Federation of Film Clubs (FICC) and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC).

PÖFF's programme includes 17 films that have been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film by their respective countries.

13 films featured in the programme have been nominated for European Film Academy (EFA) awards and two of them aspire towards Best Film: "A Prophet" (directed by Jacques Audiard, France) and "The White Ribbon" (directed by Michael Haneke, Germany). Winners will be announced in Berlin on 12 December. Next year the European Film Awards will be presented in Tallinn, in the culture and lifestyle centre "Solaris".

This year the focus of the festival lies on Portuguese cinema and screen versions on Knut Hamsun's novels. In addition to traditional special programmes, like Monton fashion films, documentary films "doc@poff", night films and human rights special, PÖFF introduces a recommended programme composed by the program team, named "PÖFF's Vitamin Boost". As usual, the programme features films recommended by the prestigious film magazine Screen International.

PÖFF holds multiple world and European premieres. PÖFF's audience will be treated to a world premiere of "Wedding in Bessarabia" – a Romanian/Moldavian cooperation from the EurAsia competition programme – and the Finnish documentary "I Draw Therefore I Am", an Ilon Wikland's biography. European premieres are held for five films from the North-American independent films competition: "Don’t Let Me Drown", "Golden Age of Rock'n'Roll", "Peter and Vandy", "Sorry, Thanks" and "(Untitled)".

In addition to interesting film programmes PÖFF – for the first time in its history – holds a film market named Black Market Industry Screenings, introducing the latest production from Northern, Eastern and Central European countries to the representatives of the film industry. Also, for the first time, a literary rights market named "Books Into Movies" is held, introducing works from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Norway, Georgia and the Ukraine. Day-to-day film recommendations are given in the atrium of the Solaris Centre, where members of PÖFF's program team help people choose suitable films. The atrium is also the venue for a series of discussions on human rights – "Freedom To Be Free". The lobby of the Artis cinema houses a photo-exhibition depicting the everyday life of Afghan women, "Forsaken". There are many dance, film and theatre events all around the city.

The festival welcomes dozens of guests from abroad, including film producer Aleksander Rodniansky (“Rossiya 88”) and film producer Pen-ek Ratanaruang (“Nymph”) who also judge the EurAsia competition programme. Other distinguished guests include the Italian film operator Luca Bigazzi (“Il Divo”), the football referee Howard Webb (“Kill The Referee”) and others.

PÖFF’s events are not only limited to the capital city, but also take place in Tartu, Viljandi, Narva, Jõhvi, Kärdla, Valga and - for the first time - in Paide and Viimsi.

Tickets are available at the PÖFF information centre at the Solaris Centre, all festival theatres and Piletilevi’s outlets.

Festival winners will be announced on Friday, 4th December, in the Nokia concert hall of the Solaris Centre. The closing film is from Russia, titled “Hipsters”.