Eleven projects showcased at Riga IFF

A total of 11 projects, including eight feature films and three series, were presented at this year's Riga IFF Showcase during the Riga International Film Festival. These projects came from the Baltics and Central and Eastern Europe and were shown to an international audience of film and television professionals.

Five projects highlighted in detail

Five of the selected projects, including the award-winning titles My World Upside Down (Best Project - €5,000 cash prize) and Magic Mountain (BBRental/BBPostHouse Award, worth €10,000), were highlighted in a close-up review. These reviews provided deeper insights into the creative and thematic elements of the selected works.

My World Upside Down follows a coming-of-age story

My World Upside Down, directed by Daniel Rihák (Slovakia/Czech Republic), is produced by Martina Saková and Daniel Rihák through WHAT IF Films. The film follows Lukáš (17), who is secretly in love with his girlfriend, Linda. When he discovers that Lukáš is gay, Miško vows to "save him from hell," leading to a series of misunderstandings and social conflict.

Magic Mountain explores grief and first love

Magic Mountain, directed by Mykola Zasieiev (Ukraine/France/Netherlands/Latvia), is produced by Natalia Libet through Ukraine's 2Brave Productions, with co-production partners in France (Cinéphage Productions), the Netherlands (R&R Stories) and Latvia (Trickster Pictures). The film follows twelve-year-old Kir, who spends the summer at a spa resort in the Carpathian Mountains while awaiting news of his father, who is missing on the front line in Ukraine.

Roses Never Lie blends thriller and true events

Roses Never Lie, directed by Nina Vukovic (Sweden/Latvia), is produced by Uta Arning (UMA Pictures AB) and Jānis Kalējs (Film Angels Studio). The film follows a young florist who suspects her fiancé of infidelity and accidentally hires someone she believes to be a hitman, setting off a dangerous chain of events involving deception, violence and psychological manipulation.

Marry Then Die explores unconventional relationships

Marry Then Die, directed by Elza Gauja (Latvia), is produced by Līva Vernere and Uldis Cekulis through VFS Films. The film follows two homeless strangers, Zigis and Anya, who make an unusual agreement: he will help her end her life, but only after they marry. Their relationship evolves into an unexpected exploration of loneliness, mortality and human connection.

Stormbird is set during Soviet occupation

Stormbird, directed by Kadri Kõusaar (Estonia), is produced by Aet Laigu through the Estonian production company Meteoriit Film. Set in 1949, during the Soviet occupation of Estonia, the series follows Lee (18), a young medical student nicknamed Stormbird, who becomes a wanted fugitive after killing the Red Army soldiers who attack her family. She joins the notorious Forest Brothers group to rescue her imprisoned brother.