Co-producing with the Baltics

Zane Balčus is the head of the Baltic Sea Docs, a co-production pitching forum in Riga, Latvia. Balčus has an extensive experience in programming, curatorial and management areas in different organizations in the field of cinema. Balčus has served on the FIPRESCI jury at IDFA (2019), ZagrebDox (2020), goEast international competition jury (2020), Nordisk Panorama Best Nordic documentary jury (2021), and others. Apart from heading the Baltic Sea Docs, Balčus is also a researcher, curator, and a freelance film critic.

Producer and CEO of Kick Film Munich Kick Film is an independent production company that produces high-quality theatrical and television films for the international market. It was founded in 1981 and to date has realized more than 250 productions that have won numerous national and international awards. Kick Film's co-production partners and buyers include broadcasters and streamers in over 70 countries.

Gints Grube holds degrees in philopsohy and political science. He has diverse work experience in the field of media. Since founding Mistrus Media, one of the leading film companies in Latvia, he has been involved in producing films including Escaping Riga, Over the Roads, Over the River, Chronicles of Melanie, To Be Continued, and The Mover, co-produced movies Tsoy and In The Dusk. He co-directed World Sounds and My Father The Spy.

Marianna Kaat is an award-winning filmmaker and producer based in Tallinn, Estonia, with over two decades in the industry. She is the founder of Baltic Film Production (BFP), an independent production company specializing in internationally recognized documentaries. Her notable works include "The Last Relic" (2023), "Life of Ivanna" (2021), "Close Relations" (2016), "Pit No 8" (2010)—all celebrated on the global festival circuit and won numerous awards. Beyond filmmaking, Kaat is an Associate Professor at Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School and curates the Doc@PÖFF International Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Her contributions have earned her the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award, a European Trailblazer title at MIPDOC Cannes, and multiple international festival awards.