The line-up for the fourth edition of RIGA IFF SHOWCASE, co-production market of Riga International Film Festival (16–26 October) has been announced. This year 12 projects – 9 feature films and 3 series in various stages from the Baltics and Eastern as well as Central Europe – will take part, seeking new partnerships and competing for the main prize: a EUR 5,000 monetary award from TV3 and production services from BBposthouse / BBrental worth EUR 10,000.

Highlighting the distinctiveness of the Baltic and Central European region, while reflecting its socio-political context, current industry trends, and evolving artistic expressions, the line-up will feature a wide range of projects. Reacting to current trends and situation in the film industry, the selection will feature projects with strong audience potential and bold cinematic vision, often exploring the realms of different genres. 

Building on the recent momentum of Latvian cinema, RIGA IFF SHOWCASE will also present several Latvian-led projects, including upcoming works from renowned directors Marta Elīna Martinsone, Lauris and Raitis Ābeles, Toms Harjo, as well as Anna Ansone and Ilze Lasmane-Brože, who will be making their first ventures into new formats.

RIGA IFF SHOWCASE 2025 participants:

Shadows of the Swamps (Purva ēnas) – series
Dir. Raitis Ābele, Lauris Ābele, prod. Raitis Ābele, Zanda Zeidaka (Tritone Studio)

The Wedding Day (Līgava) – feature film, musical
Dir. Marta Elīna Martinsone, prod. Guntis Trekteris (Ego Media)

Romance Apocalypse or the Long-Distance Train (Romance Apocalypse, Або Потяг Далекого Сполучення) – feature film
Dir. Denys Kolesnikov, prod. Andrii Korniienko (Good Morning Films)

Urga, Jo & Po (Urga, Jo & Po) – short form animated series
Dir. Ilze Lasmane-Brože, Raitis Kalniņš, prod. Kristele Pudāne, Ilze Lasmane-Brože (Sunday Rebel Films)

Aliens In Tirol (Aliens In Tirol) – feature film
Dir. Nikol Cibulya, prod. Emőke Krigler-Tóth, Gábor Krigler (Joyrider)

Where It Rains (Ten, Kur Lietūs) – feature film, documentary
Dir. Nuruzzaman Khan, prod. Akvilė Žilionytė (Artišokai)

The House That Ran Away (Pabėgęs Namas) – animated film
Dir. Meinardas Valkevičius, prod. Akvilė Bliujūtė-Janušė (Meinart)

Luka Says (Luka Kaže) – animated series
Dir. Nenad Mikalacki, prod. Nenad Mikalacki (Druid Film)

Alpha Amen (Alpha Amen) – feature film
Dir. Gintarė Parulytė, prod. Vincent Quénault, Yannick Foratier (Red Lion)

In The Truth (Patiesībā) – feature film
Dir. Toms Harjo, prod. Līva Vernere, Uldis Cekulis (VFS Films)

Hardsub (Hardsub) – feature film
Dir. Novruz Hikmet, prod. Valeria Sochyvets (Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema)

Summer Blues (Vasaras asara) – feature film
Dir. Anna Ansone, prod. Alise Ģelze (White Picture)

Projects included in the RIGA IFF SHOWCASE line-up will be evaluated by an international jury – Ukrainian director, scriptwriter and producer Marina Stepanska, the chief of TV3 Group Baltics content distribution business development office and the programme director of TV3 Group Latvia Elīna Jēkabsone, Latvian film director Juris Kursietis, producer and founder of Studio Locomotive and Vino Films Roberts Vinovskis and French producer and co-founder of Easy Riders Films Nadia Turincev. The winning project will receive a monetary award of EUR 5,000 provided by media company TV3 and production services from BBposthouse / BBrental worth EUR 10,000.

RIGA IFF SHOWCASE events will take place from 23 to 25 October in Riga, Latvia. Hosted at cinemas K.Suns and Splendid Palace, the festival’s industry section RIGA IFF FORUM – a richly packed agenda of events tailored to film professionals – offers a welcoming and well-rounded meeting place for building connections and forging new collaborations. Participation will be available with an industry accreditation FORUM Pass or Festival & FORUM Pass. More details about RIGA IFF FORUM and its programme: forum.rigaiff.lv.

RIGA IFF is made possible with the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation, the EU programme Creative Europe – MEDIA, Riga City Council, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the National Film Centre of Latvia, and the Investment and Tourism Agency of Riga. RIGA IFF FORUM is also supported by TV3, BBposthouse / BBrental, Institut Français de Lettonie and Lights On.