2ANNAS ISFF 2026 Grand Prix Goes to the Latvian Director Ildze Felsberga

The closing ceremony of the Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS honored this year’s most outstanding short films of the festival. The Grand Prix, or “Golden Anna” was awarded to Ildze Felsberga’s short film “Where Does the Sun Sleep at Night?”, marking a significant milestone for Latvian cinema, as the last time the festival’s international jury awarded the top prize to a Latvian film was in 2014. The title of the Best Baltic Short was awarded to Saulius Baradinskas’ film “Children of Concrete”.

In awarding the Grand Prix to Ildze Felsberga’s film "Where Does the Sun Sleep at Night?", the international jury highlighted its bold and uncompromising cinematic language, in which the ancient spirit of folk songs meets the gray everyday reality of bureaucracy. In the jury’s view, the film is a powerful cinematic message that reminds us that even in a world ruled by spreadsheets and elevator doors, the most ancient questions about the soul and the sun remain unanswered.

“This year’s anniversary festival was special not only because of its ambitious and diverse program, but also because it once again served as a clear reminder of why 2ANNAS exists. It is a festival that, for thirty years now, has championed the short film as an independent, bold, and experimental cinematic form. This year, we felt particularly strongly that it is still worth fighting for creative freedom, for the voices of filmmakers, and for cinema that isn’t afraid to be different,” says Laima Graždanoviča, creative director of 2ANNAS.

This year’s competition program was judged by an international jury comprising of the animation director and artist Zane Oborenko from Latvia, film curator and cultural project manager Olga Sydorushkina from Ukraine, as well as Johannes Lõhmus, founder and chief programmer of the “Valga Hot Shorts” film festival from Estonia. The winners of the “Pure Queer” program were selected by the non-binary film producer and “Migranta Films” founder Matheus Mello, and Latvian performance artist, writer, and art activist Mailo Mēness.

Zane Oborenko emphasizes: “Serving on the jury gave me access to films that I most likely would not have seen otherwise. The program, especially the selection of international short and medium-length films, was quietly outstanding. I was struck not only by the quality of the films, but also by how many filmmakers around the world are addressing the same issues we face here. Getting to know new people was still the usual challenge, but in the jury’s work, a real conversation was not only possible but also very meaningful.”

Johannes Lõhmus, for his part, says: “These days in Riga, watching international short films at the 2ANNAS festival, have been very valuable to me both professionally, as a curator, thanks to the excellent selection of films, and personally, thanks to the warm and welcoming people who created a truly beautiful and sincere festival atmosphere. Special thanks also goes to the Kaņepes Culture Center, a wonderful venue for the festival with great food, good coffee, and lovely people. I can definitely recommend 2ANNAS to anyone who cares about art and culture and wants to give short films a chance.”

Winners of the 30th Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS

In addition to the festival diplomas and statuettes, this year’s winners also received additional prizes provided by Files.fm, which will be a valuable asset in their future professional careers.

The Grand Prix, as well as a 1,000-euro cash prize from Files.fm - “Where Does the Sun Sleep at Night?” (dir. Ildze Felsberga, Latvia). A film about employees of a drab office building who, in an attempt to overcome ever-increasing challenges, turn to rituals.

Best Baltic Short Film, as well as a €3,000 post-production grant from BBPostHouse/BBrental and the Young Critics’ Award - “Concrete Kids” (dir. Saulius Baradinskas, Lithuania). A film about children who grew up in the courtyards of Soviet apartment blocks in Lithuania and, deprived of their parents’ attention and love, struggled daily to survive in a violent street environment.

Best Mid-Length Film – “Being Mikolaj” (dir. Aurelia Frydrych-Zdanowska, Poland). A coming-of-age story about Mikolaj, who has begun the fight for his future, but to win, he must first mend his relationship with his father.

Best Short Animation – "Kyiv Cake" (dir. Mykyta Lyskov, Ukraine/Estonia). A story about a family in Ukraine trying to survive amid crisis and the threat of war, as new dangers emerge alongside everyday hardships.

Best Short fiction – “Nobody Barks” (dir. Júlia Coldwell Serra, Spain). Candela’s life in a small town is monotonous until, during the town festival, she accidentally runs over her sister’s son’s dog and decides to keep it a secret.

Best Short documentary - “Confession” (dir. Rebeka Bizubová, Slovakia). The film candidly addresses sexual abuse within the church, which the director herself experienced, as she seeks answers to questions about trauma, memory, and the courage to speak out.

Best Experimental Film – “Koki, Ciao” (dir. Quenton Miller, Netherlands). An unusual cinematic biography of Tito’s faithful parrot Koki, which, through previously unpublished archival material, brings to life repressed memories and the absurdity of history.

Special Mentions from the Jury

• “I'm Not Sure” (dir. Luisa Zürcher, Switzerland). A glimpse into the time the director spends in the hospital, grappling with pain, homesickness, and a sense of alienation from her own body, yet also experiencing absurd, unexpectedly bright moments.
• “Equal Dust” (dir. Jani Peltonen, Finland). NATO nuclear war exercises, a single continuous shot, and Finland’s Eurovision entries come together in an unusual story about one evening in Helsinki in 1983.
• “Citizen-Inmate” (dir. Hesam Eslami, Iran). A film about life in Tehran under conditions of total surveillance, exploring issues of privacy, power, and control.

Special mention for the best Latvian short film, as well as a motivational award from the Viesturi Golf Club – "The Observer" (dir. Arnis Kalniņš, Latvia). The director observes his father, a photographer, from an unusual distance, creating a personal and multi-layered story about art, memory, and time.

The winner of the “Queer Anna” Grand Prize at the “Pure Queer” festival section - “Cleanliness” (dir. Andrejs Brīvulis, Latvia). With its restrained, precise, and poetic cinematic language, the film transforms the everyday into a multi-layered reflection on identity, routine, and perception.

Special Mention at the “Pure Queer” festival section – “The Story” (dir. Vadim Vadim Mochalov, Ukraine). Through a delicate and meta-cinematic approach, the film affirms that intimacy, love, and personal stories within the queer community are an integral part of political reality.

Children's Audience Award – “Mushroom's Life” (dir. Ēvalds Lācis, Latvia). An animated film that reveals the life and rhythms of the mushroom world through a witty and visually striking narrative.

Youth Audience Award - "My Gut Friend" (dir. José Manuel “Becho” Lo Bianco, Mariano Andrés Bergara, Argentina/Mexico). An animated film about a special and unusual friendship that appeals to young audiences with its playful style and emotional depth.

2ANNAS is supported by Valsts kultūrkapitāla fonds, Rīgas dome, Nacionālais Kino centrs, BBPostHouse / BBrental, and Files.fm. The festival would also like to thank its long-standing partners and venues, Kaņepes Kultūras centram, Radošajai rūpnīcai «Veldze», kinogalerijai «K. Suns», Forum Cinemas, bāram «Skapis», kā arī Folkklubam «Ala Pagrabs», Mūrbūdu sidra darītavai, kultūrkrogam «Labietis», Event Transport, Radio NABA, JCDecaux Latvija, «Digitālajai pelei», Hotel Viktorija, Monika Centrum Hotels, Wellton Centrum Hotel & SPA, Biļešu servisam, golfa klubam «Viesturi», Rīgas Tehniskās jaunrades namam «Annas 2», YesYes.lv, tūrisma aģentūrai KOLUMBS, Skrīveru saldumiem, Brain Games, Mazajai terapijai, Tinto, vīna bāram «Garage», Radošā Eiropa MEDIA birojam Latvijā, Lithuanian Shorts, Baltic Talent Agency, film:lab, team4set un LKA Nacionālajai Filmu skolai.