For the fifth time, HÕFF presents a selection from young Estonian filmmakers.

Short films by four filmmakers—ranging from sci-fi to folk horror—will be presented to the audience in the collection 'Õudne Eesti: Fresh Estonian Short Films'.

One of three world premieres in the program, Matiias Viiking Ojaveski’s Terror of the Gulls ("Terroriseerivad tiivulised") is a sharp horror-mockumentary about a bird expert convinced that seagulls are plotting a global takeover. Drawing stylistic inspiration from early '90s Estonian TV documentaries, this is Ojaveski’s directorial debut following his screenwriting studies at BFM.

What happens when you collide a mockumentary with a B-movie? You get Dead of the Dead—a surreal, exploitation-style B-horror that gleefully blurs the line between reality and fiction.

The sequel to the Nazi zombie films Reich of the Dead and Reich of the Reich, which previously screened at HÕFF, is directed by Julius Kits — one of the organizers of the Imelike Filmide Festival (IFF).

Still from 'Terror of the Gulls'.

In the sci-fi film Ikaros, a spaceship crew is returning from yet another precious gas extraction mission in the year 2084 when technical failures strike, leaving one astronaut unable to get back on board. Director Martin Koldits is a film arts student at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School.

Anna Veisman’s folk horror Forest Eyes ("Metsasilmad") premiered at PÖFF Shorts last year. Set in an 18th-century Estonian village, Elo is unsure whom she should truly fear—the forest spirits or the villagers. This also marks the filmmaker’s first independent film since graduating from BFM’s audiovisual media program in 2025.

All works in the "Õudne Eesti" programme will also compete for the Best Estonian Short Genre Film award. As per HÕFF tradition, the winner will be chosen by a youth jury from Haapsalu, featuring Läänemaa Gymnasium students.

The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival takes place April 30 – May 2.

The full programme will be announced by HÕFF on April 8.