The Tallinn event is being hosted by Tallinn 2011 (Eruopean Capital of Culture) committee, the Tallinn City Government, the Estonian Ministry of Culture (www.kul.ee), and Estonian TV (etv.err.ee), which will broadcast the gala.

The organizing committee includes Black Nights Film Festival (www.poff.ee) director Tina Lokk, CEO Kristo Tohver, event manager Peeter Rebane and television producer Tarmo Krimm.

In a statement, Lokk said, "The opportunity this presents for our culture is unprecedented - not only will Tallinn and Estonia be playing host to the cream of the European film industry in December next year, but for the three days they're here they'll get to know, see and hear some of the country's very best artists, whether they're musicians, visual artists, writers or in the film industry."The 13th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival runs November 12-December 6, 2009.

In addition to film stars, EFA (www.europeanfilmacademy.org) members and almost 300 journalists expected to attend, the awards gala will be broadcast from the Estonian capital direct to viewers in more than 50 countries.