The local film scene is particularly dynamic when it comes to short films. The films that are selected for the Short Film National Competition represent a variety of genres and forms and have to have been made in 2023 or later. The competition is judged by an international jury to ensure that the unique features of Latvian-made films are acknowledged in a broader perspective.
Whether they are animated, narrative, documentary, or experimental, the competition is looking for short films with a distinct voice made in Latvia. Up to ten short films will be selected.
Entries
We welcome short films and audiovisual works with a running time of up to 30 minutes, and with a completion date of no earlier than 1 January 2023. This competition accepts works by both established and emerging professionals who are Latvian citizens, were born in, or are long-term residents of Latvia (at least 2 years). We also consider works that have been produced in Latvia, made by a Latvian director abroad, or films that list Latvia as one of its production countries.
Prize
The selected short film titles are judged by an international jury consisting of industry experts, filmmakers, and representatives from the international film festival community. The film that generates the greatest passion and the liveliest discussions about the very essence of cinema will receive a specially designed award and a monetary prize of EUR 1,000.The RIGA IFF Award Ceremony takes place on the second Saturday of the festival.
Candidacy for the European Short Film 2025 Award
The jury selects a single candidate for the European Short Film 2025 award from the films screened in the RIGA IFF Short Film National and International Competitions. Eligible directors must be born in Europe or hold a passport from a European country (the European Film Academy defines Europe as both EU and non-EU countries and includes Israeli and Palestinian passport holders), the film must have been produced in 2024, and the running time cannot exceed 30 minutes.
Deadline
The call for submissions opens on 12 March 2024 and closes on 30 June 2024. The submission fee is EUR 10 per entry and all submissions are free of charge until 25 March 2024. The results will be announced by 10 September 2024.