The RIGA IFF FORUM, the industry program of Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) taking place 24–26 October, has announced an open call for its two main sections.

Starting June 12, submissions are open for RIGA IFF SHOWCASE, a pitching session for feature film and series projects, as well as for SHORT RIGA Test Screenings, a regionally unique in-depth professional feedback session for short films. See the regulations and apply at forum.rigaiff.lv .

RIGA IFF SHOWCASE is a compact, straight to the point co-financing market for feature films and series, tailored to producers, distributors, sales agents and festival programmers. It provides participants with insights into up-and-coming work from the Baltic states, as well as Eastern and Central Europe, aiming to boost co-productions within the region and present projects to buyers from all parts of Europe.

This year RIGA IFF SHOWCASE will accept 15-18 feature film and series projects – in all stages from development to post-production – that highlight the Eastern European zeitgeist and its regionally unique cinematic language on an international level. The best project will be awarded a monetary prize of 5000 EUR.

Furthermore, in a newly launched collaboration with New Europe Market Zagreb, one project will be chosen to participate in NEM Zagreb. Up to two members of the selected project team will have the opportunity to present their work at the event in Zagreb this December.

Projects will be evaluated by a renowned international jury, including Frédéric Lavigne, artistic director at Series Mania; Daria Badior, Kyiv Critics Week co-curator and film critic; Marija Razgutė, M-films founder and producer; and Geoffrey Macnab, film critic at The Independent and Screen International. Additional jury members and experts will be announced in the coming months.