Tartuff (originally tARTuFF) is an annual romance film festival held since 2006 every august in Tartu, the second biggest city in Estonia. Tartuff is organized by the Black Nights Film Festival and it takes place in Tartu Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), where films are shown on a big screen free of charge. In addition, documentaries are shown in the Athena Center. The film programme is supported by discussions and lectures during the day. Viewers are invited to choose their favourite film among the films screened. Tartuff is the biggest open-air film festival in Baltics.

History

Tartuff was created by Black Nights Film Festival team together with HÕFF in 2006. Idea came from the founder of PÖFF Tiina Lokk-Tramberg, who based it on a similar film festival in Vienna. The first Tartuff in 2006 screened 24 films and the TV miniseries Dekalog by Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski. In total, there were nearly 10 000 visitors, as well as a one-day conference on cultural tolerance. Pedro Almodóvar's "Volver" was voted audience favourite. The second Tartuff in 2007 screened 24 films. In total, there were also around 10 000 visitors and a two-day conference on "The tolerants of religion". Hal Ashby's Harold and Maude was voted audience favourite. The third Tartuff in 2008 screened 24 films. In total, there were 16 163 visitors and a photo contest "Love of Tartu". Taarka by Ain Mäeots, about Seto folk singer Hilana Taarka, premiered and was voted audience favourite. The fifth Tartuff in 2010 had so far the highest visitation with 30 428 visitors. Jerzy Sladkowski's Paradise was voted audience favourite.

Visitor numbers

Awards

Visitors can vote for their favorite film online. Public's favorite film will be awarded Mati Karmin's sculpture "Suudlevad Tudengid" ("Kissing Students"), a copy of a sculpture that lies in the middle of Tartu Town Hall Square.

Public favourites