Foto: BB.LV / съемка кино
The fifth selection round will last until January 11, 2027. Projects can be submitted for consideration if their implementation and request for final payment are planned no later than November 15, 2027. The goal of the program is to attract foreign investments, develop service exports, and increase the international recognition of Latvia. Support is provided for the filming of foreign feature, animated, and documentary films, series, as well as international cultural, sports, business, and other public events with a significant economic contribution. The co-financing amount can reach up to 30% of the eligible project expenses. Director of LIAA Ieva Jāgere notes that each international project implemented in Latvia provides jobs for local specialists, creates orders for enterprises, and contributes to the development of the economy. The new competition will allow attracting additional projects and investments, relying on accumulated experience and international recognition. Several new international film projects are planned to be implemented in Latvia. Among them is the series "Last Call" by Atlantique Productions, financed by Warner Bros. Discovery and intended for international release on the HBO MAX platform, as well as the series "Westwell" directed by Nina Wolfrum, produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Deutschland GmbH with financing from The Walt Disney Company. The filming service for both projects will be provided by the Latvian company Nafta Films. The competitiveness of Latvian film professionals is evidenced by successes at international festivals. A significant part of the film "The Unknown Woman" by Danish director Maï el-Touki was shot in Riga with the participation of Latvian partners. At the Venice Film Festival, the film received the main prize, the Golden Lion, and the lead actress won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. The co-production film from France, Germany, and Latvia "Minotaur," predominantly shot in Riga, received the Grand Prix at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. France nominated it for the 2027 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The director of the film is Andrey Zvyagintsev. The world premiere of the film "Wild, Wild East" by Polish director Jan Golubek took place in September as part of the competitive program "Platform" at the Toronto International Film Festival. Filming took place in Kuldīga and Salacgrīva. The Latvian stage, supported by LIAA, was provided by the studio White Picture. Foreign film projects create demand not only for the services of film industry specialists but also for transportation, hotels, catering, construction, equipment rental, security, and post-production. This contributes to employment, growth in enterprise turnover, and service exports. A similar effect is produced by large international events that attract foreign guests and support the development of tourism, transportation, and the hospitality sector. According to LIAA, in 2025-2026, co-financing of 9.8 million euros was approved for 29 film projects under previous selection rounds. Tax revenues from implemented projects exceeded 7.4 million euros. According to economic estimates, over three years, the program will bring approximately 72 million euros in export revenues to the Latvian economy. Every euro of state funding invested will yield about three times the return. Support is provided on a competitive basis in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations of February 11, 2025, No. 99, on co-financing from the state budget for large public events and the filming of foreign films in Latvia.
