Riga International Film Festival announces winners of its 13th season
At the awards ceremony of the Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) at the Splendid Palace cinema, laureates of the competitions and industry programme were honoured. The feature film prize went to the debut "Nipster" by Sunniva Eira Tangvik Kveim.
The awards ceremony of the Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) was held at the Splendid Palace cinema in Riga, announcing the winners of this season's competitions and industry programme. The festival is billed as the largest film event in Latvia, presenting works from the Baltic Sea region and beyond to juries and audiences. The ceremony was hosted by director and actor Gerds Lapoška, with musical performances by percussionist Artūrs Cukanovs and rapper galeniex.
Scale of the competition
A total of 74 films and projects in development competed for bronze rooster statuettes and prizes from the festival's supporters. Juries evaluated nine feature films from the Baltic Sea region, 31 short films from Latvia and abroad, and 11 music videos by Baltic directors and musicians.
Main winners
The Feature Film Competition was won by "Nipster", directed by Sunniva Eira Tangvik Kveim. The jury noted that it is a debut film that touches on an uncomfortable subject in a provocative way. The jury's special mention went to "Mo Papa" by Ēva Megi.
In the Short Film National Competition, Tīna Zariņa's "yolo" won, while Andrejs Brīvulis's "Rīgas līnijas" received a mention. In the International Short Film Competition, Luka Galešič's "Zakrpa" took the top prize, with Ronny Shalev's "2:Love" receiving a mention. Henrijs Vērmē's "Uka-uka" was put forward as a candidate for the European Film Academy's "European Short Film 2028" award.
The Baltic Music Video Competition was won by "Caurspīdīgie Parazīti" (performers Zvīņas and Lote Voiska, director Antons Georgs Graudss). The SWH audience sympathy award went to "SAFARI" by "Solo Ansamblis", directed by Dominiks Bliznikss.
In the industry programme RIGA IFF SHOWCASE, Daniel Rihák's "My World Upside Down" won, and the BBRental/BBPostHouse prize went to Mykola Zasiyeyev's "Magic Mountain". In SHORT RIGA Test Screenings, awards went to Modesta Žemgulīte's "Naples, Florida" and Jānis Sinka's "Anti Kristo".
Festival continues
The festival runs until the evening of Sunday, 25 October, at the Splendid Palace and Forum Cinemas Centrs cinemas. Tickets for the closing screenings are available on rigaiff.lv and at Biļešu serviss outlets.
