The joint project “Promoting Regional Film Development in Tartu and Liepāja (FILMLINK)” has now concluded. Implemented within the Interreg Estonia-Latvia programme, the initiative brought together the Liepāja 2027 Foundation and the Tartu Creative Industries Centre to exchange knowledge, build professional networks, and support the long‑term growth of the regional film industry.
Over the course of the project, several key activities laid the groundwork for sustained collaboration. In January 2026, representatives from Liepāja travelled to Tartu for an experience‑sharing visit, gaining insight into film industry practices in Germany, Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania. The visit offered a close look at how film festivals, film funds, and film studios operate, providing valuable comparative knowledge for future development. In April, Estonian partners were welcomed to Liepāja to explore the city’s own experience and learn methods for assessing the economic and social impact of the film industry.
An online seminar titled “Building Film‑Friendly Regions” was also held in April 2026. Film professionals from Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania shared their expertise on film fund operations, investment attraction, and effective strategies for promoting regional film production.
Working with location manager Ingrīda Nagla, the project identified and professionally photographed sites such as the Northern Forts, the historic streets of Jaunliepāja, distinctive city buildings, and other locations across Liepāja. This mapping will serve as a practical resource for the Liepāja Film Fund, film producers, and location scouts, helping position Liepāja as an appealing filming destination in the international market. Part of the location photos are available to view here.
Film industry professionals emphasised Liepāja’s exceptional diversity of authentic locations – the seashore, port area, industrial heritage sites, military structures, and historic urban environments. This variety is one of the city’s strongest advantages and could play a decisive role in attracting new film and audiovisual projects in the coming years.
The project also included a case study analysing the impact of film production in both Tartu and Liepāja. The study examined regional expenditures during film shoots, the involvement of local businesses and service providers, the employment of local film professionals, the scale of filming activities, and the broader influence of the film industry on regional visibility and community participation. It also assessed how both cities are developing film‑friendly environments. The full study is available here.
FILMLINK is part of its Kino Sapnis / Film Days programme, one of the thematic pillars of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027. The overarching objectives include strengthening collaborative endeavours between Liepāja and Tartu in the field of cinema, promoting cross‑border knowledge exchange, establishing a long‑term platform for film industry development, and fostering an environment where film professionals can collaborate, learn, and create.
The total budget of the FILMLINK project is €87,357.50, of which €39,175 has been allocated to Liepāja. This includes €31,340 (80%) from the Interreg Estonia-Latvia programme and €7,835 (20%) in co-financing from the Liepāja City Municipality.
The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, Jsc; its partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, Ltd; its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd; alongside its maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”, Ltd; The Foundation’s media partners are: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd; SIA “Tvnet grupa”, Ltd; and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Released by:
Foundation Liepāja 2027
Public relations specialist
Kristiāna Paula Lībiete
Phone: + 371 22 355 771
E-mail: kristiana.libiete@liepaja2027.lv
