TOP things to do in Estonia as a film buff

Red Tower – 360-degree history! A modern circular panoramic cinema is now open in the Red Tower, which was built in the 15th century as a defence and prison tower of the Hanseatic city of Uus-Pärnu. You can watch a 10-minute animated film Merciless and merciful history in the Red Tower through 15,000 years here. The tower and the former defensive floor open the view of the surroundings from the Ice Age to the present day. The ground and first floors of the tower are a joy to discover for those who have arrived early for the next sessions or to get acquainted with the history of medieval Pärnu.

Pernova Nature House offers a guided tour for tourism and seminar groups, collectives, classes, and groups of friends. The educational tour of the centre introduces the exhibition area of the house and the guide will tell exciting stories about nature. After the tour, there will be a cinema session, where you can watch short films about nature which last up to 30 minutes. The tour with a visit to the cinema lasts up to 90 minutes.The exact price of the tour visit depends on the size of the group.

As you walk on the red carpet leading you to the Film Museum in the Maarjamäe Castle Park, you will feel like a movie star. The film alley takes you to an exhibition that provides an overview of the history of Estonian films and the behind the scenes of the world's film industry. The permanent exhibition 'Take ONE' shares the secrets of film making and gives the visitors an idea of what happens behind the camera. In the magical illusion room, machines from the early years of film are available for exploring and testing how people used to make films. You can also try being a filmmaker at the exhibition. The building has a 210-seat cinema and conference room, perfect for premieres and other events.

The Cinema Museum was opened in Järva-Jaani in 2006. The Cinema Museum shows the process of making a film, lighting equipment, cameras, a small film development tank, a montage table, the device used to mix sound and picture and a large collection of projection devices. You can visit the Järva-Jaani Cinema Museum by appointment. Interesting facts: - the equipment can also work with the power generated by the generator of a travelling cinema.

The film Truth and Justice was filmed here in 2017–2018. All buildings and facilities were originally built for the film only, but the complex turned out to be so unique and cosy that it was turned into a visitor centre. At the centre, you will find the farm of Mäe Andres with its four buildings. There, you can see other places that were included in the film: the big stone, the spot where the firs were cut, and the farmsteads of the neighbour Oru Pearu. You can explore the centre on your own, but we also offer guided tours and group visits.

PÖFF is one of the biggest  film festivals in the Northern Europe. In November each year it brings the newest and most fascinating examples of the world's cinematography together with international film makers to the doorstep of local viewers. Around 4000 film festivals are held all over the world each year. Only 15 of them have received the A-category certification from the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations. PÖFF belongs to this A-category together with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and other leading film festivals of the world. For more information visit the festival's homepage.

Born from the idea of Lennart Meri in 1987, the Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the Baltic States. Organised under the leadership of filmmaker Mark Soosaar, one of the main themes of the festival has always been the survival of indigenous peoples and their cultures. The programme also includes social reflections on contemporary society, portraits of fascinating people and human relations, as well as films on music and art. Children and the youth have always been included, for them we organise workshops and show a programme of children's and youth film competitions. 

The festival aims to introduce and acknowledge new nature films and their makers. Traditionally, the festival features nature photography exhibitions and workshops.  The festival has been named after the Matsalu National Park in which it is located, which is one of largest bird sanctuaries in Europe.