Latvia will enjoy a significant presence at this year’s Locarno Film Festival (6–18 August), with a multifaceted line-up that spans co-productions, industry showcases and an expanded presence in Locarno Pro. The Baltic country’s growing international visibility continues to be boosted both by fresh talent and experienced producers.

As part of the Match Me! programme, Latvia will be represented by Katrīna Karple (White Picture) and Dārta Vijgrieze (Mistrus Media), who will take part in the tailored networking initiative targeting up-and-coming producers. Latvian Oscar-winning producer Matīss Kaža is a notable alumnus of the platform (2018), underscoring its value in fostering successful international careers.

On the festival side, Latvia is a minority co-producer (via Mistrus Media) of the competition title Solomamma [+lee también:
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entrevista: Janicke Askevold
ficha de la película], directed by Janicke Askevold. The film will take part in the competitive strand dedicated to first and second features and is a strong example of Latvia’s role in international creative collaborations. Led by Norway’s Bacon Pictures and co-produced with Danish, Lithuanian and Finnish partners, the movie follows Edith, a single mother by choice and a journalist in her forties, who begins to question her decision to lone-parent. When she uncovers the identity of her son's anonymous sperm donor—Niels, a game developer living nearby—she arranges a meeting under false pretences. But as a genuine bond forms between them, Edith’s carefully constructed life starts to unravel. Lisa Loven Kongsli and Herbert Nordrum lead the cast.

Meanwhile, for the very first time, Locarno Pro will showcase a dedicated line-up of Latvian works in progress, offering a sneak peek of a slate of upcoming titles. Set to be unveiled officially on 24 July, the event is shaping up to reflect the country’s growing animation sector and its auteur-driven live-action projects.

Producer-director Matīss Kaža is returning to Locarno, representing two studios. For Dream Well, he’ll share updates on the celebrated animated feature Flow [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alfombra roja @ European F…
entrevista: Gints Zilbalodis
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From White Picture, producer Alise Ģelze will present two feature-length projects: Tabita by Juris Kursietis (selected in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight with Oleg [+lee también:
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entrevista: Juris Kursietis
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Lastly, Guntis Trekteris of Ego Media will preview two films: Ulya, a new live-action work by Viesturs Kairišs (winner at Tribeca with January [+lee también:
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entrevista: Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen
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Interestingly, almost half of the showcased projects fall within the field of animation, which is testament to the continued interest sparked by Flow’s international success and the dynamic evolution of this segment of Latvia’s film industry.

With its strategic participation in both the artistic and industry platforms of Locarno, Latvia is set to reaffirm its growing stature in the European film ecosystem as a hub for emerging voices and bold storytelling, and a fertile ground for international co-productions.