Previously PÖFF belonged to the second tier, named as competitive specialized film festivals, meaning it had to focus on one area (Asian, central Asian and European films), but has now joined the company of Cannes, Berlin and Karlovy Vary.

Tiina Lokk, the head of PÖFF, said only 52 film festivals have FIAPF accreditation, from around 4,000 held each year world-wide. She said only 15 festivals, which now includes Tallinn's PÖFF, are allowed to hold non-topical international competitions.

“For that I am very grateful for the entire festival team and I am touched that the result of nearly 20 years of labor is not only EU north and east region's most influential festival in terms of program and working with the movie industry, but also one of the world's top festivals,” she said in a press release today.

PÖFF received FIAPF membership in 2008, having first opened its doors in 1997.

This year's festival will take place from November 13 to 30.