{"id":14970,"date":"2020-03-19T08:00:23","dateyear":"2020","title":"RIGA IFF Seeks Baltic and Nordic Feature Debuts and International Shorts","content":"

Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) welcomes submissions to its four competition programmes: the RIGA IFF Feature Film Competition and three SHORT RIGA competitions \u2013 the international and national short film competitions, and the Baltic Music Video Competition (BMV). The festival’s competitions are especially opportune for debuting directors seeing that RIGA IFF juries include a considerable number of programme organisers for other international film festivals. The seventh edition of RIGA IFF will take place October 15 to 25, 2020.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At a moment when so many film events, unfortunately, get cancelled or have to seek novel forms of reaching their audiences, we hope that autumn will come with recovery, rejuvenation and new strength \u2013 both within the industry and elsewhere. The RIGA IFF dates remain as planned \u2013 in October, when we can meet again in the most beautiful cinema halls of Riga.<\/p>\n

Features From the Baltic Sea Region and the Nordic Countries<\/strong><\/p>\n

The RIGA IFF Feature Film Competition<\/a> reflects transitions and recent trends in cinema. Its geographical frame \u2013 the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries and their associated territories \u2013 represents the distinctly different film schools, traditions, languages and visions on various sides of the same sea. There are no genre restrictions \u2013 films may fall into documentary, fiction, animation, or any cross-genre category. The submitted films must have been completed after July 1st, 2019, and the Latvian premiere of international submissions must take place during RIGA IFF.<\/p>\n

Short film competitions and EFA Candidacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2019 SHORT RIGA became part of the network of 24 film festivals that qualifies films for the European Film Awards (EFA) short film nomination. This network focuses on both selection and promotion of the 24 best short films made by European directors. This year, SHORT RIGA is expanding its competition by adding a National Competition<\/a> for short film next to its international counterpart. The SHORT RIGA National Competition\u2019s aim is to promote Latvian short films and talents, and selects at least six films to feature. The SHORT RIGA International Competition<\/a> will select 35 works that display distinct auteur expression regardless of genre \u2013 animation, fiction, documentary, and experimental film are all admissible. The international jury will then select one single EFA candidate from the eligible films selected for both competitions.<\/p>\n

Scouting the Baltic Music Video Scene<\/strong><\/p>\n

The SHORT RIGA Baltic Music Video Competition<\/a> (BMV) seeks music videos that are daring, innovative and experimental. The music videos themselves must have been produced in either Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania; the country of origin in terms of the music is not a factor in selection. Only official music video clips are accepted.<\/p>\n

Prizes and juries<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Feature Film Competition\u2019s winning director will receive the special RIGA IFF Award \u2013 an eight-piece figurine of a rooster poured in bronze, and a monetary prize of \u20ac2,000.<\/p>\n

In the three SHORT RIGA competitions, the winning directors will receive the Silver Grass-snake \u2013 a silver pin featuring the Latvian symbol for a grass-snake; the winner of the International Competition will receive an additional monetary prize of \u20ac1,000. A single candidate from the eligible national and international competitions will be selected for the \u201cEuropean Short Film 2021\u201d award.<\/p>\n

All competitions are judged by international jury panels composed of members from the professional international film community. Winners of past editions and the respective juries can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Submissions are being accepted through FilmFreeway<\/a> and must adhere to the following deadlines:<\/p>\n