2ANNAS ANNOUNCES THE INDUSTRY DAYS PROGRAM 2ANNAS FORUM: IN THE MAZE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

From April 7 to 11, the Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS Industry Days program 2ANNAS FORUM: In the Maze of Consciousness will take place. Following the festival’s main theme, MIND, the Industry Days will focus on the topics of mind, memory and the subconscious. All events are free of charge and open to everyone.

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in film production has made it a significant topic of discussion within the global film community. To encourage festival-goers to actively participate and explore the extent of human involvement in the creative process of AI, as well as to investigate whether AI inhibits or promotes creativity, the new media artist Jurģis Peters has created an interactive installation "AI Odyssey." Every festival attendee will have the opportunity to create their own short film script in collaboration with AI. The art installation will be unveiled to the public on Monday (08.04.) at 18.00 and will be available to all visitors of the Kaņepes Kultūras centrs until the end of the festival. 

On Tuesday (09.04.) the lecture "In the Maze of Consciousness: Film as a Dream" will take place (17.00, Kaņepes Kultūras centrs), where anyone interested will be able to gain insights into the significance of dreams and symbols in visual storytelling within the framework of film theory. The lecture will be conducted in English by Czech film theorist and professor Tereza Hadravová.

On Wednesday (10.04.), we invite all those interested to the discussion "In the Maze of Consciousness: AI - Augmenting Creativity or Diminishing Originality?" (16.00, Kino Bize) where we, together with professionals from various sectors of the film industry, will explore perspectives and limitations for the practical application of AI in creative work. The discussion will be held in English and will be moderated by German screenwriter and producer Nira Bozkurt.

After the discussion, we invite you to stay for another engaging event. Starting at 18.00, at the same venue (Kino Bize), there will be a short film screening titled "In the Maze of Consciousness: Algorithmic Visions." For this showcase, artificial intelligence was appointed as the curator of the program, using an algorithm to select a number of European short films of the last decade, with a focus on themes related to mind, artificial intelligence, and technology. 

On Thursday (11.04.)  learn from industry professionals as they share invaluable insights and resources to help you thrive in the world of short filmmaking! Join us for the presentation "Navingating the Short Film Industry: Talent Building Opportunities" (14.30, National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture). The presentation will be held in both Latvian and English.

Later that evening, join us for the discussion "In the Maze of Consciousness: Cinema, Memory and the 90s" (19.30, Kaņepes Kultūras centrs). We will investigate how the films we consumed in childhood shaped our identity and consider how the themes and perspectives touched on in these films can be viewed in the context of modern society. Let's unravel the reasons behind the enduring dominance of nineties nostalgia and explore whether a collective memory was forged during this era. The discussion will be held in Latvian and led by director Jānis Ābele. Stick around afterwards for the "Tape Art 90s” disco with DJ Roberts Gobziņš.

Finally, to promote the development of film criticism in the Baltic region, from April 7 to 11, the Emerging Critics’ Workshop will take place. Under the expert guidance of Serbian journalist and film critic Tara Karajica, three aspiring critics from the Baltics will  have the opportunity to enhance skills and knowledge, explore the fundamentals of film criticism, as well as determine the recipient of the Emerging Critics' Choice Award. 

2ANNAS Industry Days are organised with the support of the National Film Centre and the Creative Europe MEDIA Desk in Latvia.