Just Film, the youth and children’s film festival of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), will launch its 25th anniversary celebrations with the international premiere of Leo & Lou, a heartwarming dramedy directed by Carlos Solano, on 8 November 2025.

The film is a part of the Just Film International Children Film Competition Programme, as well as European Children’s Film Association (ECFA) Competition. Leo & Lou, written by Carlos Solano and Carlos Camba Tomé will have its World Premiere on 26 October as part of the SEMINCI Film Festival.

The international premiere at Just Film on 8 November, 2025 will be attended by a film delegation and the screening will be followed by an engaging Q&A session.

“We’re thrilled to open our programme with such a heartwarming gem from our Focus: Catalonia. In a world that often feels dark and uncertain, Leo & Lou shines with its message of love, compassion, and mutual understanding — reminding us that empathy can overcome even the toughest challenges. It’s a film that truly reflects the brighter side of the world,” says Mikk Granström, Programme Director of Just Film.

Leo & Lou follows Leo, a spirited young runaway from a foster home, determined to find her own path. Along the way, she meets Lou, a cynical, middle-aged nihilist, and together they embark on an unexpected journey filled with discovery, trust, and the rediscovery of hope through connection.

It is the first feature-length film by Carlos Solano (nominated for a Goya Award for his short film Strangers on the Road). In the words of the director: “It’s a road movie that uses the journey to visually reflect the inner worlds of its characters as they travel through the wild landscapes of northern Spain. For Leo and Lou, their destination is not so much a physical place as it is an encounter with themselves and those around them.”

Leo & Lou is a Spanish-UK-Romanian co-production, produced by Antonio Asensio, Miriam Rodríguez, Paloma Molina of Zeta Studios, Luisa Romeo of Frida Films, Miranda Ballesteros of Lunatica, and Rodrigo Ruiz-Tarazona of Romanian Motion Picture Management, in association with LipSync and Richmond Pictures, with support from the Creative Europe Programme – MEDIA of the European Union, the ICAA (Spanish Government), among others.

Producer Miriam Rodríguez shares her enthusiasm for the film: “Leo & Lou is an uplifting tale of family, and like in any family, there’s always room for adventure, comedy, and a strong emotional bond. It explores universal themes—like the idea of home, the longing for belonging, the power of friendship, and new definitions of family. The film’s heartfelt charm and sensitivity make it a truly modern story, one we believe will resonate with everyone who experiences it.”

The 25th edition of Just Film will take place from 7-23 November 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia, as a subfestival of the Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). Every year, about 50 films are screened at the festival, and around 20,000 film enthusiasts find their way to the Just Film.