The 28th edition of the Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries (Baltic Sea Docs, 1-6 September) has wrapped successfully. This year's forum featured pitching sessions and industry gatherings held in Riga, Latvia, along with film screenings that were spread across various towns in the country. In addition to the pitching sessions, the forum featured a range of seminars and workshops for participants, including a session on audience-reach strategies led by marketing strategist Paul Rieth (Germany) and a seminar with Sundance Institute senior programmer Basil Tsiokos.

A total of 26 film projects were part of the forum, with representation from film studios in various countries in Europe and beyond. Twenty-two of these enjoyed their inaugural presentation, while four projects made a return appearance specifically for the forum's new "Coming Soon" session, designed to spotlight films that are already in the post-production phase.

The Baltic Sea Docs film programme also ran in parallel with the industry events, showcasing a variety of international documentaries to local audiences in Riga and across Latvia. The opening film, Ever Since I Knew Myself [+lire aussi :
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Forum manager Zane Balčus commented: “We are pleased to say that this year’s Baltic Sea Docs went smoothly, and we’ve received very positive feedback from participants and guests. It’s always rewarding to organise an event that not only maintains its high standards of quality, but also serves as a valuable platform for connecting documentary professionals and showcasing their work. The forum continues to occupy a special place in the region, playing an important role in supporting documentary filmmakers. The level of the projects presented this year was truly impressive, and we’re proud to be part of their development journey.”

Following the conclusion of the event, a handful of awards were given out. Acting Classes by Kazakhstani director Sasha Shegai, produced by Yevgeniya Moreva (CatNip), received the Baltic Sea Docs Consultancy Award, which comes with a consultancy session with an industry expert in a field relevant to the project’s development. The film follows Vera, 87, who is a newbie at the nursing home. She joins a theatre club while waiting for her son to come and get her.

Sacred Songs, a project by Georgian filmmaker Nona Giunashvili, produced by Mariam Bitsadze (17/07 Productions), snagged the BB Post House Post Production Award, which comes with post-production services to the tune of €3,000. The debut feature-length documentary tells the story of four Muslim women singers in the Pankisi Valley, which is populated by ethnic Chechens and has gained a reputation as a hotbed of radical Islam.

The Latvian project Emptiness, directed by Viesturs Kairišs and produced by Elīna Gediņa-Ducena and Gints Grūbe (Mistrus Media) in co-production with Dash Film (Romania), was the recipient of the IDFA and Baltic Sea Docs Collaboration Award for Baltic Filmmakers, which includes funding for the director's participation in, travel to and accommodation at the upcoming edition of IDFA, where the director will engage in a customised programme within IDFA's industry and training activities.

The East Doc Platform Award, granting accreditation and access to one-on-one meetings at the next edition of the East Doc Platform in Prague, went to the project Making Friends with the Idea of a Father, directed by Nikolay Stefanov (Bulgaria) and produced by Ralitsa Golemanova (Smarty Pants Shooter Ltd).

The Belarusian project Leave Easy Come Back Safe, directed by Sasha Kulak, co-directed with Masha Maroz and produced by Julia Shaginurova (Einbahnstraße Productions), scooped the Movies That Matter Award, which offers accreditation and access to industry events at the Movies That Matter Festival.

Finally, the recipient of the Sheffield DocFest Award, Double Self Portrait, directed by Aistė Stonytė (Lithuania), earned the opportunity to access Sheffield DocFest industry events with a full accreditation.

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

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

Baltic Sea Docs Consultancy Award
Acting Classes - Sasha Shegai (Kazakhstan)
Producer: Yevgeniya Moreva (CatNip)

BB Post House Award
Sacred Songs - Nona Giunashvili (Georgia)
Producer: Mariam Bitsadze (17/07 Productions)

East Doc Platform Award
Making Friends with the Idea of a Father - Nikolay Stefanov (Bulgaria)
Producer: Ralitsa Golemanova (Smarty Pants Shooter Ltd)

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

Movies That Matter Award
Leave Easy Come Back Safe - Sasha Kulak, Masha Maroz (Belarus)
Producer: Julia Shaginurova (Einbahnstraße Productions)

Sheffield DocFest Award
Double Self Portrait - Aistė Stonytė (Lithuania)
Producers: Giedre Žickytė, Migla Butkutė (Moonmakers) Uldis Cekulis (VFS Films)