Latvia Announces Oscar Submission, Film Critics Weigh In on Potential Nominees
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Academy Awards, Latvia has officially submitted Dzintars Dreibergs’ “Blizzard of Souls” as its entry in the Best International Feature Film category. The selection was made by a panel of experts convened by the National Film Centre of Latvia (NFCL), according to the NFCL’s official announcement. This marks the thirteenth time Latvia has put forward a film for Oscar consideration.
The panel, comprised of industry professionals, evaluated three full-length feature films – all of which were nominated for the National Film Awards Lielais Kristaps as the best feature films of the year. These included “What Silent Gerda Knows” by Jevgeņijs Paškēvičs, “The Sign Painter” by Viesturs Kairišs, and the selected “Blizzard of Souls.”
The selection committee included Ieva Romanova, Chair of the Latvian Filmmakers Union; Dace Vilsone, State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture; Kristīne Simsone, film critic; Viktors Freibergs, film historian; Dāvis Sīmanis, director and Latvian Academy of Culture professor; and Uldis Cekulis, producer and head of studio VFS Films. Dita Rietuma, film historian and director of the NFCL, headed the panel.
This year’s decision follows a trend of careful consideration, with the panel often announcing the reasoning behind their final choice. The process reflects Latvia’s commitment to showcasing its cinematic talent on a global stage. The Academy Awards are a significant platform for international films, offering exposure and recognition to filmmakers from around the world.
Recent discussions surrounding potential nominees have also included insights from film critics. According to LSM, Kristīne Simsone’s perspectives, along with those of international media outlets, are being closely watched as predictions emerge.
Looking back at memorable Oscar moments, Jauns.lv highlighted ten iconic instances from Academy Awards history, ranging from a shocking on-stage slap to an incorrect winner announcement.
For those looking to catch up on potential nominees, Dita Rietuma has offered her top film recommendations to watch before the ceremony, as reported by BauskasDzive.lv. Meanwhile, Delfi offers a quiz to test your Oscar knowledge.
Latvia has been submitting films for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film since 1992, shortly after regaining independence from the Soviet Union. While Gints Zilbalodis’s animated film “Flow” received a nomination, as of 2025, Latvia is still awaiting its first Oscar win in this category, according to Wikipedia. The academy selection committee, comprised of Latvian filmmakers and cultural figures, reviews all submissions and votes on the five candidates via secret ballot.
