Riga International Film Festival

– RIGA IFF FEATURE FILM COMPETITION –

RIGA IFF is looking for distinct voices and auteurs from the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries that use an innovative cinematic language. The RIGA IFF Feature Film Competition reflects transitions and contemporary trends in cinema; by establishing a specific geographic frame, these trends become even more intriguing as the cinematic works made on different sides of the same sea represent distinctly different schools, traditions, languages, and visions. The 10 films that are ultimately selected for the competition form a present-day contemplation on the cinema of tomorrow.

The team of the winning feature, determined by the international jury, will receive a monetary prize of EUR 5,000 and the Golden Rooster statue made in collaboration with the artist Ervins Broks.

– SHORT FILM INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION (European Film Awards qualifying) –

Whether animated, narrative, documentary, or experimental, the RIGA IFF Short Film International Competition seeks to highlight auteur cinema and distinctive forms of expression in short format. The festival’s curators select up to 25 of the most interesting submissions from around the world to be part of the competition.

The film that generates the liveliest discussions about the very essence of cinema chosen by an internationally renowned jury will receive a specially designed award and a monetary prize of EUR 2,000. Moreover, the jury selects a single candidate for the European Short Film – Prix Vimeo 2026 Award from the films screened in the RIGA IFF Short Film National and International Competitions.

– SHORT FILM NATIONAL COMPETITION (European Film Awards qualifying) –

The local film scene is particularly dynamic when it comes to short films. The films that are selected for the National Short Film Competition have been made in 2024 or later and represent a variety of genres and forms. The competition is judged by an international jury to ensure that the unique features of Latvian-made films are acknowledged in a broader perspective.

The film that generates the liveliest discussions about the very essence of cinema chosen by an internationally renowned jury will receive a specially designed award and a monetary prize of EUR 1,000. Moreover, the jury selects a single candidate for the European Short Film – Prix Vimeo 2026 Award from the films screened in the RIGA IFF Short film National and International Competitions.

– BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION –

The BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO Competition (BMV) endeavors to uphold the belief that the music video is an independent and powerful short format in its own right. The RIGA IFF curators look for videos that challenge the audience and push the boundaries of format, contents, and artistic expression.

The winner of the competition will be presented with a specially designed award and a monetary prize of EUR 1,000. Additionally, one of the music videos will be awarded the Public's Award, which will be determined through voting.