The 42nd Warsaw Film Festival features world premieres and international competition selections from Latvian filmmakers, including Linda Olte, Viesturs Kairišs, and Reinis Kalviņš, alongside a large number of Baltic co-productions and industry forum entries.
Warsaw Film Festival Welcomes Returning Latvian Directors
The Warsaw Film Festival selected new feature films by Latvian directors Linda Olte and Viesturs Kairišs following their success at the A-class European festival in 2022. Olte’s second feature-length fiction film, The Child (Bērns), will have its world premiere in the main international competition. Kairišs returns with Ulya (Uļa), which was included in the Free Spirit program highlighting artistic exploration and creative spirit in auteur works. In 2022, Latvian cinema earned three awards at Warsaw, including the best director prize for Kairišs’s Janvāris (2022) and the main prize in the Competition 1-2 section and the award for the best Eastern European debut for Olte’s Māsas (2022).
Reinis Kalviņš Competes in Competition 1-2
Director Reinis Kalviņš represents Latvia in the Competition 1-2 section with his second feature film, The Bog (Klajumā aiz meža). The section serves as a European platform highlighting debut and second features by emerging directors. The Bog will hold its world premiere in Warsaw before its national premiere on October 22 in the Riga IFF program, followed by a theatrical release across Latvian cinemas starting October 23.
Dzintars Dreibergs Contributes to Animus Program and Co-Production Forum
Director Dzintars Dreibergs presents his feature film Escape Net (Tīklā. TTT leģendas dzimšana) in the Animus. Cinema of values program, which highlights films dealing with socially significant topics and moral courage. The screening marks the film’s international premiere. Additionally, Dreibergs’s upcoming feature project, Brothers’ War (Brāļu karš), was selected among 16 projects for the festival’s Co-Production Forum industry platform.
Baltic Co-Productions Highlighted in Festival Lineups
Two international co-productions involving Latvian film professionals secured spots in the festival lineup. The main competition includes the Baltic co-production Dice-Ching-o-Mat, directed by Lithuanian filmmaker Kristijonas Vildžiūnas, with Latvian participation from cinematographer Jurģis Kmins and the Lokomotīve film studio. Meanwhile, the Free Spirit program features Estonian director Jaak Kilmi’s comedy Dirt in Your Face (Ar seju dubļos), produced in cooperation with Latvia’s Film Angels Production and edited by Andris Grants.
Elizabete Didža Joins FIPRESCI Critics Project
Elizabete Didža was selected as one of six young film critics from Central and Eastern Europe to participate in the 21st FIPRESCI Warsaw Critics Project masterclass. The training program operates alongside the festival’s industry events, which connect film professionals from across Europe and globally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Latvian Films at Warsaw
Where will Reinis Kalviņš’s film premiere nationally?
Following its world premiere in Warsaw, The Bog will screen at the Riga IFF program on October 22, and open in Latvian cinemas on October 23.
Which Latvian project was selected for the Warsaw Co-Production Forum?
Director Dzintars Dreibergs’s upcoming feature project, Brāļu karš (Brothers’ War), was chosen among 16 projects for the industry section.
What is the focus of the Animus program?
The Animus. Cinema of values program screens films addressing socially significant themes and moral courage, featuring complex questions and critical issues.