The Riga Municipality's co-financing programme "Riga Film Fund," which supports foreign film projects planned to be shot in Riga and Latvia, generated an economic contribution of nearly 3.8 million euros in 2024, according to data compiled by the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA). Last year, the Riga Municipality's support for film productions amounted to almost 753,000 euros. As RITA director Fredis Bikovs explains, foreign filmmakers who choose Riga and Latvia for filming especially value not only the capital's architecture and proximity to nature and the sea but also the high-quality work of Latvian film professionals.
Support for foreign film projects—always produced as co-productions with Latvia—will be granted for the 15th time this year, with applications received from eight film projects. Filmmakers can recover up to 20% of eligible expenses when shooting feature films and series in Latvia. Suppose the film's main action occurs in Riga, or the city plays a significant role in the plot. In that case, filmmakers can recover up to 25% of eligible costs—such as equipment rental, transportation and fuel, accommodation, catering, security, construction, telecommunications services, and more. Furthermore, support from the "Riga Film Fund" can be combined with the co-financing programme of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, thereby increasing the total amount of available support.
"If foreign filmmakers can recover at least a fifth of their investments when filming in Riga and Latvia, that's a significant advantage. Some cities in Europe do not offer such programmes, so we are proud to continue providing support year after year while promoting Riga and Latvia as attractive locations for film production. The 'Riga Film Fund' is a strong and appealing programme for professionals, with low risk, since the reimbursement is only made after the investments have been spent here,"
says Fredis Bikovs, Director of RITA.
To qualify for support, film projects must meet several criteria—for example, they must involve Latvian-registered producers, have a total budget of at least 700,000 euros, and have at least 50% of financing already secured. A film script must also be submitted for expert evaluation. Additionally, applicants receive extra points if they plan to involve Latvian film professionals—such as directors, costume designers, cinematographers, etc.—in the production.
"Since all projects supported by the programme are created in co-production with Latvia, the Riga Film Fund provides financial support and involves local professionals, thus developing their skills and qualifications. Foreign filmmakers appreciate the available workforce here—our film professionals uphold high standards, possess the necessary knowledge, and work with dedication. The growing international interest in Riga and Latvia has also been boosted by the success of the animated film 'Flow',"
adds F. Bikovs.
Some of the most prominent projects supported by the Riga Film Fund in recent years include the popular series Sisi, the film Invisible Fight, which was screened at the Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF), and Apothecary Melchior and Terra X—One Day…. In recent years, the most substantial interest has come from German filmmakers. Applications are also received from Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and South Korea.
As F. Bikovs notes, foreign filmmakers especially appreciate Riga's architecture and proximity to nature and the sea:
"When we ask professionals why they choose to film in Riga, the answer is unequivocally architecture. We have the medieval charm of Old Riga, art nouveau architecture, and Soviet and brutalist buildings—this allows Riga to stand in for Vienna, Paris, or even Oslo. The city's architectural diversity makes it adaptable to various European settings. Another great advantage is the proximity to nature—just 30 minutes from the city you'll find forests and the sea. Riga's and Latvia's compact size makes it easier to solve various logistical challenges."