Other events in Baltic States

More than 70 films will vie for the national film festival Lielais Kristaps awards this year, including six feature films, 12 short films, 17 feature-length documentaries, 15 documentary shorts, six animated films, and 18 student films, reports LETA/BNS.

The jury will shortlist three to five candidates for Lielais Kristaps awards in a total of 23 categories.

Since 2004, all films competing for Lielais Kristaps awards have been evaluated by an international jury. This year the jury includes the Seattle International Film Festival representative Maryna Ajaja, producer and Latvian Film Producers Association's representative Bruno Ascuks, Latvia's representative at FIPRESCI and Riga Film Museum head Zane Balcus, directors Andis Miziss and Janis Nords, Canadian Film Institute representative, film critic Tom McSorley, Tribeca Film Festival representative Jule Rozite, and Lithuanian National Film Center representative Irma Simanskyte.

Latvian Filmmakers Union Chairwoman Ieva Romanova explains that Lielais Kristaps film festival was formerly biennial as there were not too many films made in Latvia, but now the situation is far better. "The Culture Ministry's support has been very important," said Romanova. "The involvement of an international jury is also important, as it offers us an outside perspective we need so much."

The Lielais Kristaps Award was established in 1977 and, thanks to the Culture Ministry's support, this year it has the status of a national award.

Lielais Kristaps film festival will run from October 6 to October 12 this year. The award ceremony will be at the Splendid Palace film theater on October 12.