Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS

origins and development

The event began in 1996 under the direction of Viesturs Graždanovičs, launching with a modest lineup of ten experimental youth entries at a local creative education facility. Its early goal was to spark public interest in the cinematic arts. By 2005, the gathering expanded beyond national borders to welcome international submissions. A Baltic competition arrived in 2007, influenced by the emergence of Tallinn's Baltic Film and Media School, alongside the Green Anna contest for teenage creators. Over time, the festival evolved from an independent local project into one of the most prominent short cinema events in the Baltic region.

competition and awards

The festival features multiple competitive strands spanning live action, animation, documentaries, experimental projects, and music videos. Many showcased titles arrive after earning acclaim or nominations at major global gatherings such as Cannes, the Berlinale, or the Academy Awards. An international jury of film critics, scholars, directors, and producers evaluates the entries. The top prize is the Grand Prix Golden Anna, which includes a cash grant made possible through a long-standing partnership with the technology company Hannu Pro. A dedicated Baltic strand continues to spotlight fresh directorial voices from Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

screenings and special programs

Screenings unfold across traditional cinemas, independent culture spaces, and unconventional gathering spots throughout Riga. In 2013, organizers adjusted the calendar from late spring to late October and introduced curated non-competitive themes, including a dedicated focus on diverse depictions of women in cinema. The following year saw the introduction of the Transgressors program, which broadened the festival scope to include debut feature films from emerging directors. In addition to the main week in the capital, festival organizers travel across Latvia on an annual tour, presenting past competition highlights to wider regional audiences.

How Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS is kept

Each autumn, the festival takes over cinemas and alternative venues across Riga for seven days. Audiences gather to watch competitive programs featuring Baltic and international shorts, ranging from narrative and animated pieces to experimental works. A panel of international critics and filmmakers reviews the official selections and awards the Grand Prix Golden Anna. Alongside the primary competitions, attendees experience curated thematic strands and debut features, while regional audiences later catch touring screenings across Latvia.

When and where

The festival takes place annually over the course of one week in late October. In its earlier years, the screenings were held in late May before organizers moved the calendar dates in 2013.

The event is based in Riga, Latvia, using established movie theaters as well as alternative cultural spaces. The festival team also travels across other towns in Latvia on a promotional screening tour.

What Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS means

The festival promotes innovation, artistic courage, and openness in filmmaking. By highlighting short formats, it gives emerging voices a platform to experiment and challenge conventional cinematic habits. It also serves to connect Baltic creators with the wider international film community, fostering shared regional identity and artistic exchange.

Questions people ask about Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS

See also

DainaShort, traditional Latvian folk songs and verses sung across the human life cycleLatvian Song and Dance FestivalA grand gathering of choirs, dancers and folk artists held every five years in LatviaLithuanian folk songsSongs of love, weddings, work and war, sung in unison or in harmony across LithuaniaChristmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.

Good reading and sources

• Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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