Festival was established in 1993 and is considered to be the the oldest film festivals in the Baltic States and most important cinema event in Latvia.
“Baltic Pearl” has earned its high reputation by screening latest releases of independent films, classics of world cinema, and retrospectives of the great filmmakers. Films for the programme are carefully selected out of highly rated festivals and most of them have been awarded prizes by the audience, film professionals and film critics.
“Baltic Pearl” reveals the names of young talents, demonstrates the masterpieces of classic cinema, and introduces professionals and enthusiasts to the films that have won significant awards already and those that are endowed with high potential of being acknowledged.Every year festival holds workshops for young film professionals from the Baltic countries and Eastern Europe. Throughout the years these workshops were held by the following famous European actors and directors: Peter Greenaway, Kshishtof Zanussi, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Volker Schlondorff, Maximilian Schell, Catherine Deneuve, Werner Herzog, Andrey Konchalovsky, Aki Kaurismaki, Aleksey German, Patrice Chereau and others.
Essential cinematic discussions, widely respected Latvian and international filmmakers, special events for festival guests, as well as social and educational projects are indispensable parts of the festival.The partnership with European Union’s MEDIA program, membership of CICAE organization is a testimony of the quality and professionalism of Film Festival “Baltic Pearl”.
Throughout 26 years of existence festival has not only managed to gather a number of dedicated fans, but has also been cooperating with a great number of international film festivals, film companies, independent film producers and foreign embassies.
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