Artdocfest was founded in Russia in 2007 by film director Vitaly Mansky, who moved to Latvia several years later as the democratic processes in the neighbouring country were weakening and brought the festival with him. The festival has become an important cultural and documentary reference point in the Baltic and Eastern European region, with public discussions, a documentary symposium, pitching sessions and talks with filmmakers.
In two competitive programs Baltic Focus and Artdocfest Open spectators will be able to see more than 30 documentaries, as well as many more movies shown in the out-of-competition programme ArtDoc & ProArt.