Latvian films and projects are actively participating in film festivals this autumn / Diena

Latvian children’s films and studios are currently in active international circulation Animation crew works, the future projects of Dāvis Sīmanis and the Ābeļi brothers, as well as Jevgenijs Paškēvičs, Aija Bley and VFS Films latest works, but the third Baltic Film Festival is approaching in New York.

The children’s film festival has just ended in Poland Children’s cinema, during which (September 26-October 4) the films were shown in 20 Polish cities simultaneously in cinemas and online. In the festival competition Discoveries a film by Gints Zilbaložs was included We went, and in a special program From the Baltic Sea Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian children’s films were screened, and our country was represented at this festival by Edmund Janson’s Centennial Film Jacob, Mimmi and the talking dogs (2018), feature film by Jānis Nords Mom, I love you (2013), an animated film co-produced by Latvia and Estonia Lot from the Village of Inventors (2006), Nila Skapan plasticine animation Cat in a bag (2013) and several studies Animation crew puppet movies Daces Rīdūzes Zīļuks (2010), Ruksitis’ journey (2016), Crispy (2014), Pea children (2020), Māra Brinkmanis Forest guards (2015) a Vaikiki (2017).

In Russia (October 1-8), the world of cinema is notable Moscow International Film Festival, where Jevgenijs Pashkevics’ latest feature film has had its world premiere in the out-of-competition program What does Pacific Gerda know. The premiere of this film in Latvia is scheduled for October 22, in the competition program of the Riga International Film Festival (Riga IFF).

International Scenario Development Program ScripTeast, the first session of which starts on October 8, the scenario of Dāvis Sīmanis and Tabita Rudzāte has also been selected among the projects of 12 different countries Maria’s Silence – A story about actress Marija Leiko and Latvian theater Stage fate of the 30s in Moscow. Program ScripTeast has been operating for 15 years, within the framework of which the authors have been working under the guidance of international industry experts for almost a whole year. The first session, which will include individual discussions between the project authors and prominent film professionals, will be followed by presentations of draft scripts, which will take place online until the end of December. The next two sessions will take place next year at film festivals in Berlin and Cannes, where authors will have the opportunity to present their projects to industry, with the success of gaining international support and partners. The program will end during the Cannes Film Festival, presenting Krzysztof Kieślowski ScripTeast award for best scenario from Central and Eastern European regions.

The Lithuanian event also starts on October 8 Baltic Pitching forum (October 8-10), where young filmmakers from the Baltics and Poland will present their short film projects online, and Latvia will be represented at the event by two brothers, directors Raitis and Lauris Ābele, and animation director Lizete Upīte, using her internationally acclaimed films. Riga lilacs experience, will tell those interested how to use international piquings, courses and workshops in the development of an animated film project. Baltic short film festivals (including Riga IFF Short Riga a 2Annas from Latvia), supported by Creative Europe MEDIA.

In the Polish capital, on October 9, the region’s significant starts Warsaw International Film Festival (October 9-18), and there Latvia’s presence is significant, especially in the documentary film competition, which includes a film by director Aija Bley We wanted to change the world (2020) for groups Inokentijs Mārpls for musicians (the film had its national premiere within the framework of the Latvian Film Marathon on May 4) and studies VFS Films co-production with Lithuania and France, film by director Giedre Žickīte Leap, which will soon be shown at festivals in Rome, New York and Tallinn, but the Latvian premiere is expected on November 27, at the festival ArtDocFest.

Documentary animation of Ilze Burkovska-Jakobsen is included in the Warsaw Festival competition 1-2, in which the directors’ first or second films compete My favorite war which is currently also shown in Latvian cinemas, but has just experienced its premiere in Canada, in the competition program of the Ottawa International Animation Festival (23.09. – 4.10.). In turn, two feature films in which Latvia has participated as a minority co-producer have been selected in the main competition of the festival – a film by Alexei Ucitel Cojs (Latvian studio Mistrus Media) and Romanian / Czech / Latvian co – production Unidentified (Latvian studio Tasse Films).

The International Children’s Film Festival starts on Saturday, October 10, in Saxony, Germany rascal (October 10-17), where both recent studies have been selected for competitions of different age groups Animation crew puppet films – Dace Rīdūzes Pea children and Jānis Cimmermanis London Holidays. And this is just one of the stops where the studio directors’ works took place this year – since May, when both of these films had their world premiere in Portugal, they have also been in Serbia, at the animation festival. Constantine’s Gold Coin (20.-24.07.), London Holidays also shown in Croatia, at the festival Super tone, the following Animation crews film plans are associated with the festival Big Cartoon In Moscow (October 29-November 9), FluXus Animated film In the Netherlands (October 31), but will be screened at the Chicago Children’s Film Festival in November London Holidays and Dace Rīdūzes Dust.

In turn Baltic Film Festival New York this year divided into three rounds. The first of these will take place on 15-18. October, offering Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian films online throughout the United States. Latvia will be represented at this festival by feature films by Alice Zariņa, Jānis Nords and Juris Kursieš.

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