Tartuff audiences have always had a taste for world cinema — and this year was no exception.

The Filipino film Sunshine was voted audience favorite at Black Nights' love film festival.

In Antoinette Jadaone's drama, a teenage rhythmic gymnast discovers she is pregnant just before Olympic trials — in a patriarchal country where abortion is illegal. "The young actors are excellent, and for many this will be an eye-opening film (women's lives in many parts of the world are grim)," the Eesti Päevaleht recommended. Sunshine also won the Crystal Bear for Best Youth Film at this year's Berlin festival.

Tartuff audiences' appreciation for films from far-flung corners of the world was equally evident back in 2023, when the audience award went to the Mongolian film The Sales Girl.

Runner-up in the audience vote were I Love You Forever by American directors Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani, and Love in the Big City by South Korean director E.oni.

For the fourth year running, the audience award was decided by online vote, with viewers rating films using five emotions — moving, sad, emotional, delightful, and feel-good — and the winner being the film that collected the most reactions overall. Sunshine was voted the saddest and most emotional film; I Love You Forever the most moving; Love in the Big City the most delightful; and Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague the most feel-good.

I Love You Forever also drew the biggest crowd, bringing 1,300 viewers to Raekoja plats. Nearly every screening at Tartu Elektriteater was full. In total, 12,000 people attended the festival's film and event program, which wrapped up on Sunday morning — a record for recent years.

"We're thrilled that Tartuff has left audiences with warm memories, which was especially wonderful to hear on our 20th birthday. This year's festival was a tribute to both film history and our loyal audience, whose enthusiasm never wavers — rain and cool weather be damned," said festival director Johan Kudu.

He also thanked audiences for their donations, which helped fund a new hearing aid for Roland, a volunteer who has been part of the festival team for 15 years. "You are simply wonderful," he said in closing.

The 20th PÖFF love film festival Tartuff took place August 4–9.

The festival was presented by the City of Tartu and Elisa.