HOME MADE ANIMATED

The films selected by HOME MADE organically integrate into contemporary world-cinema scene. They strive to reach the viewer across national and linguistic borders, yet are aware and proud of their origins. This year’s programme highlights animation, and even the honour of being the film chosen to be shown at the RIGA IFF Opening Night goes to Away (Projām, 2019), Gints Zilbalodis’ full-length debut in animation. It was premiered at the World Festival of Animated Film Animafest Zagreb in the Feature Film Competition, and won the main prize of the competition Feature Film Contrechamp at the 2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

Baltic animation is one of the most popular means of bringing the region’s name into the world. Each of the three Baltic countries differs with its own special approach and method, yet they are united in terms of their unique and high quality artistic work that seamlessly interacts with the director’s masterful technique in visual storytelling. Estonia has always been the most productive of the three countries, but Latvia is quickly catching up, and, after a longer break, Lithuania is also strengthening its game.

This year’s selection brings together the latest and internationally recognised works created by animation filmmakers hailing from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The full-length films have been created with a younger audience in mind, whereas the short films have been designed for mature adult viewers who are ready for material that is more challenging in terms of visuals and content.

Kaspar Jancis, Henry Nicholson, Riho Unt CAPTAIN MORTEN AND THE SPIDER QUEEN KAPTEN MORTEN LOLLIDE LAEVAL

EE/IE/BE/GB, 2018, 79’, et

One fine day a boy named Morten is magically shrunk to the size of a bug and needs to sail his toy boat through a flooded café. He notices that the ship’s insect crew looks uncannily like his mean aunt and the people she orders around. Morten has to reassess his relationships, save the crew from shipwreck and take control over his life. Sometimes it takes shrinking in order to grow up.

The first ever stop-motion animated feature film produced in Ireland was developed at Tallinn-based Nukufilm – the oldest and largest stop-motion studio in Northern Europe. Best Animated Feature award at the Schlingel festival for children and young people (Germany) and a nomination for Best Animation Film at National Film Awards UK.

Screenplay: Mike Horelick, Kaspar Jancis Animation: Märt Kivi, Sam Turner Voices: Cian O’Dowd, Brendan Gleeson, Pauline McLynn, Ciarán Hinds Production: Kerdi Kuusik-Oengo, Paul Cummins, Mark Mertens, Robin Lyons, Andrus Raudsalu, Andres Mänd / NUKUFILM / TELEGAEL, GRID ANIMATION, CALON

Splendid Palace Small hall Friday, 18/10 13:00 et en/ru lv

Edmunds Jansons JACOB, MIMMI AND THE TALKING DOGS JĒKABS, MIMMI UN RUNĀJOŠIE SUŅI

Janno Põldma, Heiki Ernits LOTTE AND THE LOST DRAGONS LOTTE JA KADUNUD LOHED

LV/PL, 2019, 70’, lv EE/LV, 2019, 78’, lv

Roze Stiebra BEFORE THE DAY BREAKS SAULE BRAUCA DEBESĪS

LV, 2018, 75’, lv

Jacob – a boy from the city center – has to spend a week with his bossy cousin Mimmi and ex-pirate uncle Eagle in the Riga’s suburb Maskachka. The boy soon discovers a previously unknown world where the local dogs can talk! But the greedy Imants Rausis wants to turn this romantic district into an impersonal area of skyscrapers. Will the kids and talking dogs manage to team up and save the neighborhood?

The plot of Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs is based on a book called The Story of Maskačka by the Latvian writer Luīze Pastore. This is the artist-director Edmunds Jansons’ first feature film. The animated short films produced by his studio Atom Art have received numerous awards at internationally acclaimed film festivals all over the world.

Screenplay: Līga Gaisa Animation: Mārtiņš Dūmiņš, Kristīne Zvirbule, Līga Skirmane-Ļeščova, Edmunds Jansons Voices: Eduards Olekts, Nora Džumā, Andris Keišs, Kaspars Znotiņš Production: Sabīne Andersone / ATOM ART / LETKO

Two scientists come to Gadgetville. They are taking part in a big folk song collecting competition. Whoever succeeds in recording the folk song of the world’s oldest animal species, the mythical fire-breathing dragon, wins the competition’s grand prize. The spirited girl dog Lotte and her little sister Roosi decide to help them. Exciting and unexpected adventures await.

This film is the third installment of the Lotte series made in co-production between Estonia (Eesti Joonisfilm) and Latvia (Rija Films). The only animated film in the frame of Estonia’s centennial film programme has become one of the most viewed movies in the country. It was premiered at the Generation Kplus competition section of the 69th Berlin Film Festival.

Screenplay: Janno Põldma, Heiki Ernits, Andrus Kivirähk, Andris Akmentiņš Artists: Heiki Ernits, Laima Puntule Voices: Lueta Meldere, Amēlija Barone, Ilze Ķuzule, Gundars Āboliņš Production: Kalev Tamm, Vilnis Kalnaellis / EESTI JOONISFILM, RIJA FILMS

Kino Bize Friday, 18/10 14:30 lv en

Splendid Palace Small hall Friday, 18/10 16:00 lv en

When the Sun and Moon’s baby girl is kidnapped, the distraught parents beg humans to retrieve her. Thus Nabašnieks, along with the Girl and her little Brother set out on a journey to face both monsters and their own fears. They have just three days: if the Sun’s daughter is not found, she will lose her magic powers. An exciting adventure follows, during which everyone must prove their courage, wit, exceptional endurance and helpfulness.

A visual poem about Latvia as the daughter of the Sun, who is born in darkness, gets kidnapped but is later released to blossom like a beautiful flower in eternity. This film is a collaboration between Locomotive Productions and Roze Stiebra, the founder of Latvian hand-drawn animation, director of 62 films.

Screenplay: Roze Stiebra Animation: Dzintars Krūmiņš, Georgs Āva, Valters Mednieks, Sabīne Moore, Artūrs Lācis Voices: Kaspars Znotiņš, Lelde Dreimane, Ance Strazda, Guna Zariņa Production: Roberts Vinovskis / LOCOMOTIVE PRODUCTIONS

Kino Bize Friday, 18/10 18:00 lv en

ANIMATED SHORTS HOME MADE

A screening of animated shorts created by authors from the Baltics welcomes adults looking for an extraordinary art experience capable of surprise.

SATURDAY, 19 OCT. 20:30 K.Suns For audiences age 16 and up

Kārlis Vītols THE END BEIGAS

LV, 2019, 10’

Vladimirs Leščovs ELECTRICIAN’S DAY ELEKTRIĶA DIENA

LV, 2018, 9’

Priit Tender ORPHEUS

EE, 2019, 13’ Once upon a time, Rowan, the earl of heaven, woke up old. From that moment on, all his future plans were in the form of the past. A film about a man’s inability to cope with the aging of his body. Screenplay: Kārlis Vītols Animation: Kārlis Vītols Production: Kārlis Vītols, Sniedze Sofija Kāle / STUDIJA KOKLES

While working near a psychiatric clinic, an electrician is struck by an accident. He ends up in this hospital, where he gets accustomed to its everyday routine. In order to return to his previous life, he goes through a process of world creation. Screenplay and animation: Vladimirs Leščovs Production: Vladimirs Leščovs / LUNOHOD

Orpheus can enchant everyone with his music, including animals and plants. His song can even rescue his beloved Euredice from the underworld. But there is one condition – until Orpheus reaches the land of the living, he should not look back. Screenplay: Priit Tender Animation: Ülle Metsur, Tarmo Vaarmets, Maiken Silla, Dag-Ole Solaas, Priit Tender Production: Kalev Tamm / EESTI JOONISFILM

EE, 2018, 16’, et

Skirmanta Jakaitė THE JUGGLER

LT/FR, 2018, 11’, en/fr

Liāna Mihailova VERTIGO

LV, 2018, 5’

Anu-Laura Tuttelberg WINTER IN THE RAINFOREST TALV VIHMAMETSAS

EE/LT/MX, 2019, 9’ A stray cat Teofrastus finds loving owners. Accidentally, he jumps down their balcony and gets lost among the very same-looking houses. Will he find his territory again? Or will the cold streets and indifferent looks from the strangers be his lot? Screenplay: Sergei Kibus Cinematography: Ragnar Neljandi Production: Kerdi Oengo, Andres Mänd / NUKUFILM

We live in the same house, but in different apartments, jobs, situations, beliefs, visions. We fool ourselves that the world is one and that it exists. A film about the other side of life – the scary one, we never fully grasp, but we know is there. Screenplay and animation: Skirmanta Jakaitė Production: Agnė Adomėnė, Delphine Schmit / ART SHOT, TRIPODE PRODUCTIONS / PERSPECTIVE FILMS

While having an exciting summer swim and diving one after another in the water at the foot of a cliff, the main character is unexpectedly separated from the rest of his group of friends by an unsurpassable edge of the cliff and amplified experience. Screenplay and cinematography: Liāna Mihailova Production: LATVIJAS MĀKSLAS AKADĒMIJA

The tropical rainforests of Mexico and Peru. A unique poetic reality. The eternal dance of life and death as experienced by magical creatures of porcelain – animals, birds, insects and flowers. They are fragile and resilient at the same time. Screenplay: Anu-Laura Tuttelberg Cinematography: Rodrigo Pérez Alcocer, Anu-Laura Tuttelberg Production: Andres Mänd, Daniel Irabien Peniche, Agnė Adomėnė / NUKUFILM, ESTUDIO CARABÁS, ART SHOT / MOON BIRDS STUDIOS

RIGA IFF EVENTS

RIGA IFF OPENING NIGHT Away national premiere Director – Gints Zilbalodis 19:00 Splendid Palace Large hall Tickets: www.rigaiff.lv

FRIDAY, 18 OCT.

RIGA IFF GOES VR Set of four inspirational lectures on the basics of VR storytelling Sara Lisa Vogl, Jessica Driscoll, Mikkel Keldorf, Sonja Bozic Moderator – Eva Brazdžionytė 10:00–15:00 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE Film market development in Northern Europe 09:00–17:00 AB Dam For registered participants (See www.rigaiff.lv)

BALTIC ANIMATION MEET-UP Portfolio. Participants’ presentations 17:00–19:00 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

RIGA IFF FORUM NETWORKING EVENT 21:00–23:00 Kaņepes Culture Centre With invitations only

RIGA IFF GOES VR Magnetic Latvia hackathon: creating educational VR content for children and youth Moderator – Edgars Simsons 10:00–10:00 (24 h) National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture For registered participants (See www.rigaiff.lv)

MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE Location tour 09:00–21:00 For registered participants (See www.rigaiff.lv)

BALTIC ANIMATION MEET-UP Co-production Case Studies and Funding Sources Villa Antropoff, Vladimir Leschiov, Kaspar Jancis, Winter in the Rainforest, Anu-Laura Tuttelberg, Olga Bulygo, Lotte and the Lost Dragons, Janno Põldma, Vilnis Kalnaellis, National Film Center of Latvia, Estonian Film Institute, Lithuanian Film Center 11:00–13:30 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

BALTIC ANIMATION MEET-UP Synergy of Education and Industry (panel discussion) Priit Tender, Dzintars Krūmiņš, Tomas Mitkus, Ilja Bereznickas, Edmunds Jansons 14:30–16:30 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

BALTIC ANIMATION MEET-UP Selling Shorts to Adults (round table discussion) Mari Kivi, Zane Valeniece, Gytis Oganauskas, Rimantė Daugėlaitė Moderator – Peter Murdmaa 18:00–20:00 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

SUNDAY, 20 OCT. FRIDAY, 25 OCT.

RIGA IFF GOES VR Hackathon VR project presentations and awards 12:00–16:00 Cafe Film Noir Free admission

THURSDAY, 24 OCT.

SHORT RIGA: TEST SCREENINGS I Baltic short film presentations for experts 13:00–17:00 National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture For registered participants and RIGA IFF badge holders (See www.rigaiff.lv)

SHORT RIGA: WHAT’S UP? Short film related project presentations 15:00–16:00 Kino Bize For registered participants and RIGA IFF badge holders (See www.rigaiff.lv)

SHORT RIGA: TEST SCREENINGS II Baltic short film presentations for experts 10:30–14:30 National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture For registered participants and RIGA IFF badge holders (See www.rigaiff.lv)

SHORT RIGA: WHAT’S UP? Short film related project presentations 15:00–16:00 Kino Bize For registered participants and RIGA IFF badge holders (See www.rigaiff.lv)

BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION & PARTY The only screening of BMV competition programme DJ sets by Artūrs Liepiņš, JAVYBZ and JEN Z 20:00–23:30 Villa C.C. von Stritzky Tickets: www.rigaiff.lv

SATURDAY, 26 OCT.

RIGA IFF AWARDS CEREMONY 20:00–22:00 Splendid Palace Small hall With invitations only