Baltic Sea Docs has announced 26 documentary projects for its 30th anniversary edition, taking place in Riga from 6 to 11 September 2026. The forum, one of the key documentary industry platforms for the Baltic Sea region, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and beyond, will again bring together filmmakers, producers, broadcasters, sales agents, festivals and international decision-makers.
This year’s selection reflects a region shaped by war, borders, memory and unstable political realities. Forum manager and selection committee member Zane Balčus noted the strong presence of border-related themes, both in relation to current geopolitical developments and earlier historical contexts. She also highlighted the continuing prominence of personal narratives in which filmmakers place themselves or their families inside the story.
Among the highlighted projects are Oleksiy Radynski’s Ravine and Tower, Ivars Zviedris’ The Crust of Europe, Janyl Jusupjan’s Cords of Bliss, Vladimir Loginov’s P and Saila Kivelä’s Lunatics. The wider slate includes 14,5 km Away From Our Dreams, Borderline, Concrete Grassland, Encounters/Departures, Evening School, Going Underground, House in a Bottle, Keepers of the City, Mariana’s Lament, Master of Ceremonies, Meet Me at the Graveyard, My Other, Perfect Me, My Shadows Grow Faster Than Me, Nadia Comaneci and the Secret Police, See What I Say, The Shepherd’s Son, Trains Towards The Night: On the Use of Images and Two of Us.
Three projects from previous Baltic Sea Docs editions will also be presented in the Coming Soon strand: Beautiful Stupid Thing, I See No Death and Wise Guys.
Pitching sessions will take place on 10 and 11 September, following workshops led by Tue Steen Müller, Mikael Opstrup, Alexander Nanau, Emma Davie and Phil Jandaly. Industry guests will include representatives of NHK, SWR, TG4, Rise and Shine, filmdelights and Mediawan. For the first time, ARTE will present a €10,000 development award at Baltic Sea Docs, while BBPostHouse will offer €3,000 in post-production services. Anniversary events on 9 September will reflect on three decades of regional documentary development, alongside a Roman Bondarchuk photography showcase and public screenings in Riga and regional towns.
Find the full list of projects and more information – HERE
