Riga isn’t necessarily beautiful in winter. But it is alive. Kārlis accidentally runs over Kiril, breaking his bicycle. To fix it, they set out together to find a repairman – who, of course, has disappeared somewhere. One coincidence follows another, one encounter leads to the next, and their seemingly aimless wandering through Riga gradually turns into a friendship. It is a symphony of youth played out amidst falling snow, the noise of traffic, the voices of the city and improvised music. Carpe diem – they seize the day.

This ash-grey, mud-splattered sitcom was nominated for two National Film Awards Lielais Kristaps – for Best Short Film and Best Editor – a rare achievement for a student production. It went on to win the Best Short Film award, while emerging talents Šaicāns and Okonovs, with Okonovs also serving as the film’s cinematographer, made their mark with musical irony and a vibrant observational rhythm. Both graduated from the National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture this year. The events surrounding the two protagonists, played by Kārlis Dzintars Zahovskis and Dāvis Suharevskis, are brimming with irony, gags and subtle revelations, creating an emotional temperature that contrasts with what lies beneath the wet and heavy slush of snow. The film was presented at SHORT RIGA Test Screenings, where it received the Jury Award.