Alise Zariņa
Director : Flesh, Blood, Even A Heart; Nearby
In Person Q&A
Alise Zariņa - a bold new voice in both filmmaking and writing, Alise once reshaped contemporary Latvian cinema with her debut feature Nearby (2019), praised for its contemporary feel, naturalistic dialogue, and strong female perspective. Her second feature “Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart” is set to premiere in Latvia in March. Zariņa also co-created the TV drama series The Assistant (2024), a candid exploration of social issues in today’s Latvia.
A recurring theme in Alise’s work is the female gaze. Her short documentary II Lines, on abortion experiences, received several national cinema awards and was screened internationally, while her first low-budget feature earned her the title of Best Screenwriter of the Year in Latvia. Her outspoken public positions and activism have been recognized with the Latvian PEN Award. She also works in advertising, where she has received both local and international awards for her distinctive social campaigns.
Alise’s co-directed mini series “The Assistant” was screened during our virtual festival last year. And check out her debut feature “Nearby”during our virtual festival 2026.
“Flesh, Blood, Even A Heart” held it’s world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights film festival and has since gained nominations in 10 categories for Latvian National Film Awards.