RIGA IFF SHOWCASE is the festival's co-production platform, intended for feature film and series' projects from the Baltics, Eastern and Central Europe as well as parts of Caucasus region. Aim of the co-production platform is to foster co-productions within countries of these regions as well as present the projects to an audience of international buyers.
Kristīne Simsone, curator of RIGA IFF SHOWCASE says: "Our priority is to encourage co-productions within the Eastern and Central European countries as well as the Caucasus, many of whom have similar historical experiences and are currently facing comparable challenges within the industry and socially. Now, when Europe is going through turbulent times, and still under a lengthy process of cultural decolonisation, we believe that this region has a lot of valuable cinematic reflections to add to the European cultural landscape."
RIGA IFF SHOWCASE will take place from 19 to 21 October and feature a pitching session, industry screenings, networking events as well as a panel discussion “Stories That Cross Borders: Shaping European Series Co‑Production'' organized in co-operation with the Council of Europe and Ministry of Culture. It aims to underscore the importance of fostering a robust and effective co-production environment of the series by supporting it financially and setting a practice standard. Among participants are Jarmo Lampela, Head of Drama at YLE and seasoned producer Alise Ģelze (White Picture).
This is the sophomore year of RIGA IFF SHOWCASE and after a record number of submissions, the festival team has selected 14 feature film and series' projects from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, Romania and Czech Republic as well as Tajikistan.
Pitching session participants
Impressions (Nospiedumi) – Feature film
Directed by Alise Zariņa
Produced by Alise Rogule (Mima Films), Latvia
The Last Meal (Pēdējais mielasts) – Feature film
Directed by Elza Gauja
Produced by Paula Jansone (VFS Films), Latvia
Red Code Blue (Tumšzilais evaņģēlijs) – Feature film
Directed by Oskars Rupenheits
Produced by Sintija Andersone (KEF Studio), Latvia
A Manual How To Hit Your Head Against The Wall Elegantly (Instrukcija, kaip elegantiškai daužyti galvą į sieną) – Feature film
Directed by Jorė Janavičiūtė
Producer: TBA, Lithuania
Bloody Dunes (Kruvinos kopos) – Series
Directed by Irma Pužauskaitė, Andrius Lekavičius
Produced by Greta Akcijonaitė, Aurimas Pukevičius (Magic Film), Greta Garbo Films, Lithuania
Hold Me Closer (Intymumas) – Feature film
Directed by Irma Pužauskaitė
Produced by Rūta Petronytė (Smart casual), Lithuania
Kopli with Love – Animation
Directed by Sander Joon
Produced by Aurelia Aasa (AAA Creative), Estonia
Boyarka (Боярка) – Series
Directed and produced by Olga Gibelinda (Malanka Studios), Ukraine
Children's War Diaries (Дитячі Щоденники Війни) – Animated documentary
Directed by Ivan Tymchenko
Produced by Svitlana Soloviova, Ukraine
Rivals (Suernytsi) – Series
Directed by Maryna Stepanska
Produced by Julia Sinkevych , Maryna Stepanska, Ukraine
Habit of Silence (Звичка мовчати) – Feature film
Directed by Vitalii Havura
Produced by Olga Gibelinda (Malanka Studios), Ukraine
Foreign City (Shahre Farang) – Feature film
Directed and produced by Anisa Sabiri, Tajikistan
Legionary Youth (Tinerețe legionară) – Animated documentary
Directed and produced by Liviu Bărbulescu, Romania
Europa – Feature film
Directed by Jan Gebert
Produced by Radovan Síbrt (PINK), Czech Republic
