28th Baltic Sea Documentary Forum Announces Winners

10/09/2024 – Several awards were presented at the event, which took place in Riga in early September.

The 28th edition of the Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries (Baltic Sea Docs, September 1-6) has successfully concluded. This year, the forum included presentation sessions and meetings with industry professionals in Riga, Latvia, as well as film screenings in several cities across the country. In addition to the presentation sessions, the forum offered a series of seminars and workshops for participants, including a session on audience outreach strategies led by a marketing strategist. Paul Rieth (Germany) and a seminar with the senior programmer of the Sundance Institute Basil Tsiokos.

A total of 26 film projects took part in the forum, with representatives from film studios across Europe and beyond. Twenty-two of them enjoyed their first presentation, while four projects returned especially for the forum’s new “Coming Soon” session, designed to highlight films already in post-production.

The Baltic Sea Docs film programme also ran alongside the professional events, presenting a variety of international documentaries to local audiences in Riga and throughout Latvia. The opening film, Since I have known myself (+see also:
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Forum Manager Zane Balčus commented: “We are pleased to say that this year’s Baltic Sea Docs went well and we received very positive feedback from participants and guests. It is always rewarding to host an event that not only maintains its high quality standards, but also serves as a valuable platform to connect documentary professionals and showcase their work. The forum continues to hold a special place in the region, playing an important role in supporting documentary filmmakers. The standard of projects presented this year was truly impressive and we are proud to be part of their development journey.”

At the end of the event, a handful of awards were presented. Drama classes by Kazakh director Sasha Shegaiproduced by Evgenia Moreva (CatNip), received the Baltic Sea Docs Consultancy Award, which includes a consulting session with an industry expert in a field relevant to the development of the project. The film follows Vera, 87, who is a newcomer to the retirement home. She joins a drama club while waiting for her son to pick her up.

Sacred songsa project by the Georgian filmmaker Nona Giunashviliproduced by Mariam Bitsadze (17/07 Productions), won the BB Post House Post Production Award, which includes €3,000 in post-production services. This first feature-length documentary tells the story of four Muslim female singers in the Pankisi Valley, a region populated by Chechens and known to be a hotbed of radical Islam.

The Latvian Project Emptydirected by Old Kairišs and produced by Elina Gediņa-Ducena And Gints Grube (Mistrus Media), in co-production with Dash Film (Romania), was awarded the IDFA and Baltic Sea Docs Collaboration Award for Baltic Filmmakers, which includes funding for the filmmaker’s participation, travel and accommodation at the next edition of IDFA, where the filmmaker will engage in a customized program within the framework of IDFA’s industry and training activities.

The project was awarded the East Doc Platform Prize, which grants accreditation and access to one-on-one meetings at the next edition of the East Doc Platform in Prague. Making friends with the idea of ​​a fatherdirected by Nikolai Stefanov (Bulgaria) and produced by Ralitsa Golemanova (Smarty Pants Ltd Shooter).

The Belarusian project Leave easily, return safelydirected by Sacha Kulakco-directed with Macha Maroz and produced by Julia Chaginourova (Einbahnstraße Productions) won the Movies That Matter Award, which provides accreditation and access to industry events at the Movies That Matter festival.

Finally, the winner of the Sheffield DocFest award, Double self-portraitdirected by Aiste Stonyte (Lithuania) was given the opportunity to access the Sheffield DocFest industry events with full accreditation.

Baltic Sea Docs is organised by the National Film Centre of Latvia, with the support of the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the Municipality of Cēsis.

Here is the full list of winners of the 28th Baltic Sea Docs:

Baltic Sea Docs Consulting Awards
Drama classes – Sasha Shegai (Kazakhstan)
Producer: Yevgeniya Moreva (CatNip)

BB Post House Awards
Sacred songs – Nona Giunashvili (Georgia)
Producer: Mariam Bitsadze (17/07 Productions)

East Doc Platform Pricing
Making friends with a father’s idea – Nikolay Stefanov (Bulgaria)
Producer: Ralitsa Golemanova (Smarty Pants Shooter Ltd)

IDFA and Baltic Sea Docs Collaboration Award for Baltic Filmmakers
Empty – Viesturs Kairišs (Latvia)
Producers: Elīna Gediņa-Ducena Gints Grūbe (Mistrus Media, Dash Film)

Awards for Films That Matter
Leave easily, return safely – Sasha Kulak, Masha Maroz (Belarus)
Producer: Julia Shaginurova (Einbahnstraße Productions)

Sheffield DocFest Awards
Double self-portrait – Aistė Stonytė (Lithuania)
Producers: Giedre Žickytė, Migla Butkutė (Moonmakers) Uldis Cekulis (VFS Films)