29/10/2018 - Russian director Nataliya Meshchaninova's drama was handed the top prize at the Riga International Film Festival on Saturday night

Director Nataliya Meshchaninova and lead actor Stepan Devonin with their Best Film Award for Core of the World

On Saturday 27 October, the Riga International Film Festival announced this year's winners, presenting the 2018 Best Film Award to Natalia Meshchaninova's Core of the World [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] – a film that, according to the international jury, boasts a complete vision, exceptional execution and nuanced storytelling. In this Russian-Lithuanian drama, Egor, who is working at a training facility for hunting dogs, is living with the animals but intends to become a member of the manager’s family by any means possible.

A Special Mention went to Norway for Valley of Shadows [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jonas Matzow Gulbrandsen
film profile] by Jonas Matzow Gulbrandsen for its “exceptional cinematography, whimsical storytelling and moving sound design”. The jury consisted of Estonian film director Rainer Sarnet; Barbora Ligasova, from the Czech Film Center; Dorota Lech, Toronto International Film Festival programmer; head of the Helsinki Love & Anarchy Film Festival Anna Möttölä; and Latvian producer Roberts Vinovskis. The feature-film competition was made up of films from the Baltic Sea region. 

The FIPRESCI Jury gave their award to Jesper Ganslandt's feature Jimmie [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which recounts the story of four-year-old Jimmie and “the chaos he is witness to, characterised by emotional close-up shots and a non-linear narrative”. 

The RIGA IFF is supported by the National Film Centre of Latvia, the European Commission’s Creative Europe – MEDIA programme and the Riga City Council.

Here is the full list of winners:

Feature Film Competition 

Best Film
Core of the World [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Natalia Meshchaninova (Russia/Lithuania)
Special Mention
Valley of Shadows [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jonas Matzow Gulbrandsen
film profile] - Jonas Matzow Gulbrandsen (Norway) 

FIPRESCI Award
Jimmie [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Jesper Ganslandt (Sweden/Austria/Croatia)

Youth Film Competition

Youth Matters Award
Anna’s War [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Aleksey Fedorchenko (Russia) 

Splendid Palace People’s Choice
7 Billion Years Before the End of the World - Jānis Ābele (Latvia/France) 

Riga IFF Home Made section 

Special Award
To Be Continued [+see also:
trailer
film profile] – Ivars Seleckis (Latvia)

Short Riga programme

Main Award
Government House - Herwig Weiser (Austria/Russia) 

Special Mention, Live Action
The Linden Tree - Arkesh Ajay (USA) 

Special Mention, Animation
Egg - Martina Scarpelli (France) 

Special Mention, Documentary
All Inclusive - Corina Schwingruber Ilic (Switzerland) 

Baltic Music Video Award
Space Hammer (Kodek) – Zane Zelmene (Latvia)
Special Mentions
Ir baigi apjaust, ka esi šeit (Imants Daksis) - Pēteris Tenisons (Latvia)
All About Love (Daddy Was A Milkman) - Pijus Vėberis (Latvia)

Kids Jury Award
Los Bando [+see also:
trailer
interview: Christian Lo
film profile] - Christian Lo (Norway/Sweden)