By focusing on new talent and projects from low audiovisual capacity countries, RIGA IFF FORUM fosters collaboration, strengthens professional skills, and helps increase the visibility and circulation of European audiovisual works. For decision-makers, it is an opportunity to discover emerging authors before they break onto the global stage; for filmmakers, it opens doors to direct connections with sales, festival, and distribution representatives, as well as financiers, producers, and fellow creators. Discover what RIGA IFF FORUM alumni have gone on to achieve and what they have to say about their experience.

Beyond SHORT RIGA Test Screenings

As a regionally unique and renowned short-form film industry event, SHORT RIGA Test Screenings has, over the years, served as a launchpad for short films that have gone on to earn international recognition and critical acclaim. Notable SHORT RIGA Test Screenings alums include:

• Big Zeus (Johannes Magnus Aule, Münchhausen Productions, Wedia Productions) – World Premiere at POFF 2025 New Talents Live Action Competition
• Face Recognition (Martinus Klemet, Animartinus) – screened at more than 40 festivals worldwide.
• Flying Carpet (Justin Amorim, Promenade) – had its World premiere at the Durban International Festival in South Africa and was recently screened in Curtas Vila do Conde.
• Freeride in C (Edmunds Jansons, Atom Art) – celebrated its World premiere in Ottawa International Animation Film festival, later screened in competition and selection programmes at Animafest Zagreb, Fredrikstad Animation Festival, POFF, Gijón International Film Festival, Animateka and Tampere amongst many others.
• Glitter Kiss (Auguste Gerikaitė, Plopsas, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre) – participated at the Hamburg’s Short Film Festival, Tampere Short Film Festival, Baltic Premiere at the POFF 2025 New Talents Live Action Competition
• Iris (Jone Vatne, Syden Pictures) – had the World premiere at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, where it won the ECFA Short Film Award.
• Left-handed Pen (Adas Burkšaitis, Greta Garbo Films) – included in the European Film Award 2025 short film shortlist and screened at Kino Pavasaris, POFF and Trieste competitions.
• The Little Other (Andres Tenusaar, Nukufilm) – received a special mentions award at the POFF Shorts in 2024.
• Maria Henriqueta Was Here (Nuno Pimentel, Bravado Filmes) – had its World Premiere at BAFICI in Argentina, and was included in Oberhausen, Indielisboa and Karlovy Vary programmes.
• A Microphone in the Head (Robert Raska Ly, Kinommitus) – World Premiere at POFF 2025 International Competition, was also selected for 2ANNAS 2026, amongst other festivals
• Miisufy (Liisi Grünberg, AAA Creative) – premiered at Sundance 2023 and continued its screenings in competitions at Clermont-Ferrand, AFI Fest, Love & Anarchy, Rotterdam, and others.
• On Conductor Street (Gintė Regina, Artišokai) – premiered in Busan International Short Film Festival 2026 and was included in the Kino Pavasaris short film competition programme.
• Purga (Antanas Skučas, Gintarė Valevičiūtė-Brazauskienė, Tylus kinas) – after successful festival circuit won Lithuanian National Film Award for best short film of 2024.
• Room Number (Silvia Lorenzi, Homeless Bob Production) – World Premiere at POFF 2025 International Competition, also selected for the Short Film Competition section at FilmFestival CottBus
• The Secret (Kęstutis Drazdauskas, ARTBOX) – appearances at European Film Forum Scanorama and Vilnius Short Film Festival as well as a successful run on Lithuanian television.
• Sierra (Sander Joon, AAA Creative) – shortlisted for the Oscars in 2022, selected for over 130 festivals and won more than 40 awards
• Slush (Jēkabs Okonovs, Aivars Šaicāns, Latvian Academy of Culture, studio “Pilna”) – World premiere at the Oberhausen Int. Short film festival 2026, was also part of the East Wave section at Beast IFF 2026
• Snow Shelter (Robertas Neveckas, Meno avilys) – has over 30 sightings in major film festivals around the World.
• Uka-Uka (Henri Veermäe, Grafik) – included in the Short Films Official selection at Annecy 2026, where awarded with ARTE Award for a European Short Film
• Under the Mountain’s Shadow (Diogo Salgado, C.R.I.M. Produções, Protest Studios, Octopods Films) – World premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, selected at Curtas Vila do Conde, Dokufest, Montevideo International Film Festival, INTERFILM Berlin amongst others .
• Where Does the Sun Go to Sleep (Ildze Felsberga, Latvian Academy of Culture) – National Premiere and the main award at RIGA IFF 2025 Short Film National Competition, International Premiere at POFF 2025 Rebels With a Cause programme
• Wind Beneath the Wings (Sonja Tarokić, Eclectica) – World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2026;
• Yummy (Martinus Klemet, AAA Creative) – included in programmes at Animafest Zagreb, Vienna Shorts and POFF.

Why participate in RIGA IFF SHOWCASE?

Over the past five years, RIGA IFF SHOWCASE has grown into a compact and well-rounded financing and co-production market that offers an alternative to the usual market experience, trading crowded marketplaces and the never-ending rush for meaningful conversations and future collaborations in a peaceful, focused setting. The best way to learn about RIGA IFF SHOWCASE? Hear it from those who’ve been there.

‘’RIGA IFF is a true celebration of cinema and creativity, so it was a privilege to showcase my upcoming film there. The process of showcasing an unfinished work itself is stressful, but I felt welcomed, safe and cherished, and my work was in good hands.’’

– Marta Martinsone, director

‘’RIGA IFF has become one of the industry events I genuinely look forward to every year. It’s close to Vilnius, easy to reach (and a sustainable trip), but most importantly, it’s where I reconnect with friends, meet inspiring new people, and find partners for my projects. The openness of the community and the excellent organisation make every visit worthwhile—I always leave Riga with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and collaborations that continue after the festival.’’

– Greta Akcijonaite, producer

‘’RIGA IFF SHOWCASE may be a compact event, but it had a tremendous impact on our project. The forum brings together a carefully curated group of professionals who are genuinely interested in building meaningful connections and engaging deeply with your story.’’

– Līva Vernere, producer

‘’From a professional perspective, the project I presented in Riga is now taking shape. We have been awarded an Italian–Baltic co-development grant, and we are currently preparing the film as a co-production between the Baltic countries, Germany, and Italy. The film is expected to go into production in spring 2027 with an international cast.’’

– Enrico Lando, director 

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 / Mission Latvia, and the National Film Centre of Latvia. RIGA IFF FORUM is also supported by the French Republic, the French Institute in Poland, the Finnish Film Foundation, BBposthouse/BBrental, Studio BEEP and Lights On.