The press conference was attended by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia Agnese Lāce, the head of the National Cinema Center Dita Rietuma, Marta Bite, head of the Latvian Cinematographers UnionNational Film Awards Great Kristaps feature film and animation selection commission expert, director Uģis Olte and documentary film selection commission expert, cameraman Kaspars Braķis.
A stuntman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award Uldis Jānis Veispalswhose professional activity for more than five decades has made a significant contribution to the development of Latvian cinema. As a stuntman, he participated in hundreds of cinema and television projects in Latvia and the world, was one of the pioneers of professional stuntman activities in Latvia and the Baltic States, contributed to the establishment of the stuntman profession and the introduction of safety standards.
National Film Awards Kristaps the Great 2025 36 films received nominations out of the 85 submitted. The most nominations – sixteen – were directed by Signe Birkova’s feature film Lotusdirector Dzintars Dreiberg’s film received thirteen nominations On the net. The birth of a TTT legend. Ten nominations – both for the feature film by director Armandas Začas Forever youngand for the feature film directed by Alice Zariņa Imprints. An animated film directed by Rait Ābele and Laura Ābele God’s dog received eight nominations, while the leader in the documentary film category with seven nominations is the full-length documentary by director Krista Burāne All birds sing beautifully. Now the nominees will be judged by an international jury.
Looking forward to this year Kristapa the Great ceremony, the organizers received a special artefact – one of the first hammers of Kristaps the Great, washed up by the fateful river Daugava, which was put on display for all to see. We can only hope that by the time of the ceremony, which will take place on March 1 at the Riga Congress House, it will thaw from the ice in which it was found, so that Kristaps, relying on it, will transfer this year’s laureates across the river as well.
Marta Bite, head of the Latvian Cinematographers Union says: “National Film Awards Great Kristaps nominees are selected by industry professionals, carefully evaluating the artistic and professional quality of the 2025 films. New category The best moviewhich brings together the best feature films, documentaries and animation, depicts the diversity of current Latvian films. Glad that the category is back on the list Best Minority Co-Productionwhich confirms the ability of our professionals to work in the global market, cooperating with international partners. The student film competition is especially strong this year, which in certain categories creates competition for the performance of professionals and proves the potential of young talents.”
“In the past year, thanks to the achievements of our film industry, Latvia’s name has been heard very widely in the world. This year we also invested targeted work in creating an animation education program and in order for us here in Latvia to be able to offer competitive education to young professionals. We have not only reason to be proud of what we have already achieved – I believe that this is also the time to set ambitious goals for the future. Thank you to everyone who creates and works in the Latvian film industry,” he says Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce.
Expert of the selection commission for feature films and animated films of the National Cinema Award “Lielais Kristaps”. directed by Uģis Olte says: “While evaluating feature films and animated films, we noticed three important pleasing things. Firstly, the range of themes and the time frame of the films have become more diverse in feature films, as well as the spectrum of artistic techniques. We have both conventional, mainstream-oriented films, for example On the net. The birth of a TTT legendis a bright immersion in the psychological portrait of his generation – like in Armand Zača’s film Forever young and also in Alice Zariņa’s film Imprints. And there are very vivid searches, games with form, as in Signe Birkova’s debut film Lotus. Secondly, this year there are some such strong student works that they are able to rise above the competition, one of them is a student film Žlūrga – it was allowed to participate in the big competition for the best short film. Thirdly, it is a great pleasure to see more and more serious works of Latvian cinema artists and other professionals in minority co-productions. We see that there are works where both the cameraman, editing director, and a large part of the film production are based in Latvia, and the work of the costume artists and make-up department, especially the art department, is also exported.”
This year Kristapa the Great nominations have been supplemented with two new nominations – The best movie and Best short filmsays Uģis Olte in more detail: “It is a great pleasure that we were able to find a way to further develop the spirit of the competition and the tension about who is the best by introducing a new competition discipline. Namely, the best short film and the best film, in which feature films, animated films and documentaries will compete together. This time we will really know which is the best Latvian film, both full-length and short, because they will compete with each other, breaking the formal framework.”
National Film Awards Great Kristaps Kaspars Braķis, expert cameraman of the documentary film selection committee, says: “When compiling the short list of applicants for the main documentary film, the selection committee created it in such a way that the festival Great Kristaps the jury would get an idea of the genre and thematic diversity of the Latvian documentary scene, the different manuscripts of the authors, in which the search for stylistic innovation can be read. Films vary in both form and target audience. This does not make the work of the festival jury any easier, as the films are not evaluated according to a single standard, but that is why it will be even more interesting to see what the independent evaluators will recognize as the best. It should also be noted that the documentaries, which will compete for the best short film award together with animation and feature films, because they are also very strong works created by directors of different generations.”
For the National Film Award Great Kristaps In 2025, 85 films were submitted in various categories: 6 feature-length feature films, 5 multi-series films, 11 minority co-production films, 14 short feature films, 11 full-length documentary films, 8 short-length documentary films, 3 animated films (including 1 full-length film), as well as 27 student films.
The submitted films were evaluated by two expert commissions – one for feature films and animation, the other for documentary cinema. Experienced film professionals, including directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, critics and researchers worked in the commissions, ensuring a high-quality and independent evaluation process. Film critic in the Commission of Feature Films and Animated Films, RigaIFF creative director Sonora Broka, director Dzintra Gek, director Krista Burāne, director Uģis Olte, cameraman Dainis Juraga, film artist Laura Dishler, film critic Ieva Augstkalnas, director Lizete Upīte, film researcher Zane Balčus. The documentary film commission includes screenwriter Ivo Briedis, screenwriter and producer Līga Gaisa, director Stanislavs Tokalovs, cameraman Kaspars Braķis, film critic Anita Uzulniece and film journalist Kristīne Matīsa. The laureates will be determined by an international jury, the composition of which will be announced after the announcement of the nominees.
National Cinema Award Great Kristaps organized by the Union of Cinematographers of Latvia, supported by the National Cinema Center and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
LIST OF FILMS AND PROFESSIONALS NOMINATED FOR AWARDS:
The best movie
S – full-length feature film, D – full-length documentary film, A – full-length animated film
REACH THE DEPTH (D, dir. Kārlis Bardelis, Artūrs Valdmanis, prod. League Skrode)
THE DOG OF GOD (A, directed by Raitis Ābele, Lauris Ābele, produced by Raitis Ābele, Kristele Pudāne, Triton Studio (Latvia), co-prod. Giovanni Labadessa, Lumiere Lab (ASV))
FRANKENSTEIN 2.0 (D, directed by Dāvis Sīmanis, produced by Guntis Trekteris, Ego Media (Latvia), co-prod. I do Prochazko, Kuli Film (Czech Republic))
LOTUS (S, dir. Signe Birkova, prod. Dominik Jarmaković, Locomotiveco-prod. Ulyana Kim, Studio Uljana Kim (Lithuania))
WORKS OF ART ARE MADE IN TORMENT (D, directed by Elizabete Gricmane, Ramunė Rakauskaitė, produced by Uldis Cekulis, VFS Filmscoprod. Arūnas Matelis, Study of Names (Lithuania)
FOREVER YOUNG (S, dir. Armands Začs, prod. Alice Gëlze, White Picture)
PRINTS (S, directed by Alice Zariņa, produced by Alice Rogule, Mima Films)
ON THE NETWORK. THE BIRTH OF A TTT LEGEND (S, virt. Dzintars Dzintars, presents Dzintars Dreibergs, Marta Romanov-Jēkabsone, Arta Gig, Inga Praņevska, Ilona Bičevska, Cult film)
DARK BLUE GOSPEL (S, dir. Oskar Ruppenheit, prod. Cynthia Anderson, KEF Studioco-prod. Robert Vinovski, Vino Filmsco-prod. Antra Cilinska, Jura Podniekas studio)
ALL THE BIRDS SING BEAUTIFULLY (D, directed by Krista Burāne, produced by Ilze Celmiņa, Paula Jansone, VFS Films)
TESTAMENTS (D, directed by Jānis Ābele, produced by Guntis Trekteris, Ego Mediaco-prod. Jānis Ābele, Dita Birkenstein, Barge movies)
Best Feature Film
LOTUS (S, dir. Signe Birkova, prod. Dominik Jarmaković, Locomotiveco-prod. Ulyana Kim, Studio Uljana Kim (Lithuania))
FOREVER YOUNG (S, dir. Armands Začs, prod. Alice Gëlze, White Picture)
PRINTS (S, directed by Alice Zariņa, produced by Alice Rogule, Mima Films)
ON THE NETWORK. THE BIRTH OF A TTT LEGEND (S, virt. Dzintars Dzintars, presents Dzintars Dreibergs, Marta Romanov-Jēkabsone, Arta Gig, Inga Praņevska, Ilona Bičevska, Cult film)
DARK BLUE GOSPEL (S, dir. Oskar Ruppenheit, prod. Cynthia Anderson, KEF Studioco-prod. Robert Vinovski, Vino Filmsco-prod. Antra Cilinska, Jura Podniekas studio)
Best Feature Documentary
REACH THE DEPTH (D, dir. Kārlis Bardelis, Artūrs Valdmanis, prod. League Skrode)
FRANKENSTEIN 2.0 (D, directed by Dāvis Sīmanis, produced by Guntis Trekteris, Ego Media (Latvia), co-prod. I do Prochazko, Kuli Film (Czech Republic))
WORKS OF ART ARE MADE IN TORMENT (D, directed by Elizabete Gricmane, Ramunė Rakauskaitė, produced by Uldis Cekulis, VFS Filmscoprod. Arūnas Matelis, Study of Names (Lithuania)
ALL THE BIRDS SING BEAUTIFULLY (D, directed by Krista Burāne, produced by Ilze Celmiņa, Paula Jansone, VFS Films)
TESTAMENTS (D, directed by Jānis Ābele, produced by Guntis Trekteris, Ego Mediaco-prod. Jānis Ābele, Dita Birkenstein, Barge movies)
Best Short Film
IRONdir. Vitaly Manskis, prod. Natalia Manskaia, Vertov (Latvia), co-prod. Filip Remunda, Hypermarket Film (Czech Republic), Nataliia Khazan, Braha Film Production (Ukraine)
GRESTOMATY, dir. Betty Zvejniece, prod. Ilze Celmiņa, VFS Filmsco-prod. Ilona Matvejeva, Latvian National Museum of Writing and Music
PALACE OF CULTUREdir. Rudolfs Gediņš, Ance Strazda, prod. Māris Lagzdiņš, Lelde Troska, fon Filmsco-prod. Latvian mobile phone
DUST SUNDAYdir. Alvina Jansen, prod. Emil Alp, Not the normco-prod. LKA National Film School
CLEANLINESSdir. Andrejs Brīvulis, prod. Emma Daniela Gräpe, LKA National Film School, co-prod. Andrejs Brīvulis, Latvian Academy of Arts
JULURGAdir. Aivars Shaicans, Jēkabs Okonovs, prod. Elza Siliņa, Daiga Livčāne, LKA National Film School, co-prod. Full
Best TV series
COLLECTIVE (Season 2), dir. Juris Kursietis, Rūdolfs Gediņš, Ance Strazda, Artūrs Zeps, Roberts Kuļenko, Jānis Ābele, prod. Māris Lagzdiņš, Lelde Troska, fon Filmsco-prod. Latvian mobile phone
UNINVITED GUESTS (Season 3), dir. Vlads Kovalyov, prod. Lelde Kovalyova, studio Lelde Kovalyovaco-prod. Ilze Korjusa, TET
SLICE OF PARADISE, dir. Kārlis Lesiņš, prod. Dominik Yarmakovic, Sergej Timonin, Locomotive
Best Minority Co-Production
DETECTIVE VON FOCK (Season 2), dir. Arun Tamm, prod. Jevgeni Supin, Helen Lõhmus, Zolba Productions (Estonia), Gunda Bergmane, Berghein Production, Nafta Films (Latvia), Markus Frings, movies.mento (Italy), Wilfried Gufler, Albolina Film (Italy)
LION, dir. Liina Triškina-Vanhatalo, prod. Ivo Felt, Allfilm (Estonia), co-prod. Guntis Tractor, Ego Media (Latvia), Sebastian Weyland, Home port Film & Media GmbH (Germany)
RED LIGHT STARS OF HOPE, slice Bipuljit Basu, Prod. Nilotpal Majumdar, Bindubot Communication (India), co-prod. Uldis Cekulis, VFS Films (Latvia), co-prod. John Webster, JW Documentaries (Finland)
SOLOMAMA, dir. Janicke Askevold, producer Gary Cranner, Rebekka Rognøy, Magnus Nygaard Albertsen, Magne Lyngner, Bacon Pictures (Norway), co-prod. Inese Boka-Grube, Gints Grube, Mistrus Media (Latvia), coprod. Viktorija Rimkute, Gabija Siurbytė, Dansu Films (Lithuania), copprod. Jani Pösö, It’s Alive Films (Finland)
THE SACRED AND THE SECULAR WILL BE ADDEDdir. Giedre Beinorjutprod. Jurga Gluskiniene, Monocle (Lithuania), co-prod. Elina Gediņa-Ducena, Gints Grūbe, Mistrus Media (Latvia)
Best Debut Film
THE HORSEMAN’S VOICE, dir. Iveta Auniņa, prod. Sandys Semyonov, Iveta Auniņa, Nora Louise Semyonova, SKUBA films
PALACE OF CULTUREdir. Rudolfs Gediņš, Ance Strazda, prod. Māris Lagzdiņš, Lelde Troska, fon Filmsco-prod. Latvian mobile phone
CLEANLINESSdir. Andrejs Brīvulis, prod. Emma Daniela Gräpe, LKA National Film School, co-prod. Andrejs Brīvulis, Latvian Academy of Arts
The best student film
IN THE GARDEN OF OBLIVIONdir. and prod. Anete Grīnberga, Latvian Academy of Arts
BARDOdir. Rasa Droisk, prod. Eva Ansule, LKA National Film School
HARMONY OF SILENCE, dir. and prod. Mārtiņš Jansons, LKA National Film School, co-prod. Eye Eye
MY FIRST FUNERALdir. Liva Klepper, prod. Greta Grebže, Elza Siliņa, LKA National Film School
NO NO PLACE HOTELdir. and prod. Reinis Übelis, Griffonmarkco-prod. Loreta Līva Lazdiņa, LKA National Film School
OBSERVER, dir. Arnis Kalniņš, prod. Greta Grebže, LKA National Film School
Best screenwriter
Alice Zariņa (Imprints)
Ivo Briedis, Raitis Ābele, Lauris Ābele, Harijs Grundmanis (God’s dog)
Jānis Jonevs (Testaments)
Krista Burāne (All birds sing beautifully)
Signe Birkova (Lotus)
Best director of a feature film
Alice Zariņa (Imprints)
Armands Zachs (Forever young)
Dzintars Dreibergs (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Oskar Ruppenheit (Dark Blue Gospel)
Signe Birkova (Lotus)
Best cinematographer for a feature film
Alexander Vasks (Dust doomsday)
Juris Pīlēns (Dark Blue Gospel)
Mārtiņš Jurevics (Lotus)
Mārtiņš Jurevics (Imprints)
Valdis Celmins (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Agate Krista (God’s dog)
Agnes Budovska (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Ieva Segliņa (Imprints)
Sabine Tiekmane (Forever young)
Severija Janushauskaite (Lotus)
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Jurgis Spulenieks (God’s dog)
Kārlis Dzintars Zahovskis (Forever young)
Martin Kalita (Lotus)
Raitis Stūrmanis (Dark Blue Gospel)
Vilis Daudzins (Lotus)
Best Supporting Actress
Anna Putniņa (Parents meeting)
Evelina Otto (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Indra Brike (Lotus)
Leonarda Kester (Imprints)
Rezija Kalniņa (Lotus)
Best Supporting Actor
Artūrs Skrastiņš (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Artūrs Smoljaninovs (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Emil Ralf Zagorski (Forever young)
Gatis Malik (Imprints)
Kristians Karelins (God’s dog)
The best artist
Aivars Zhukovskis (Forever young)
Juris Žukovskis (Imprints)
Martin Straupe (Lotus)
Laura Dishler (Lioness)
Tom Jansson (Dark Blue Gospel)
Best costume designer
Sieglinde Mihailera, Walter Granuzzo, Julia Volkenstein (Detective von Foxseason 2)
Ance Beinaroviča (Dark Blue Gospel)
Berta Willipson-Valley (Forever young)
Jurate Silakaktiņa (Lotus)
Sandra Sila (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
The best make-up artist
Aija Beata Ryabovska (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Elina Gauger (Dark Blue Gospel)
Ilze Trumpe (Lotus)
Santa Sandule (Forever young)
Zane Žilinska (Detective von Foxseason 2)
Best Documentary Film Director
Agita Cāne-Kīle (Organ at night. Iveta Apkalnas)
Elizabete Gricmane, Ramune Rakauskaite (Works of art are born in agony)
Dāvis Sīmanis (Frankenstein 2.0)
Krista Burāne (All birds sing beautifully)
Laila Pakalniņa (Scarecrows)
Best Documentary Cinematographer
Jānis Šēnbergs, Valdis Celminņš (North south man woman)
Edgars Bite (Organ at night. Iveta Apkalnas)
Maris Maskalans (Scarecrows)
Mārtiņš Jansons (All birds sing beautifully)
Mārtiņš Jansons, Povilas Baltinas, Valdis Celminņš (Works of art are born in agony)
Best director of an animated film
Raitis Ābele, Lauris Ābele (God’s dog)
Andrejs Brīvulis (Cleanliness)
Anette Greenberg (In the Garden of Oblivion)
Best artist of an animated film
Andrejs Brīvulis (Cleanliness)
Anette Greenberg (In the Garden of Oblivion)
Harry Grundman (God’s dog)
Best Composer
Lauris Ābele (God’s dog)
Lolita Ritmanis (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Paulius Kilbauskas, Justinas Štaras (Lotus)
Paulius Kilbauskas, Vygintas Kisevičius (Scarecrows)
Tom Auniņš (Forever young)
Best Sound Director
Aleksandrs Vaytsachovskis (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Edward Broder (All birds sing beautifully)
Jonas Maksvytis (Scarecrows)
Pēteris Paas (Works of art are born in agony)
Saulius Urbanavičius (Lotus)
Best Editing Director
Andris Grants (Lotus)
Armands Zachs (Imprints)
Jäkab Okonov (Žlūrga)
Gatis Belogrudovs (On the net. The birth of a TTT legend)
Krista Burāne, Paula Lochmele (All birds sing beautifully)
Information prepared by
Inga Zālīte,
National Film Awards Great Kristaps media coordinator,
mob. tel.: +371 28687743,
e-pasts: izalite@gmail.com
