The Fourth Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns in 2021 as a hybrid festival with both in-person and virtual screenings on November 3-14! From November 3 through 7, in-person screenings and events will take place at Scandinavia House in New York, presented in accordance with new COVID-19 safety guidance and protocols. Following the success of last year’s festival, the online version will once again be available to viewers all across the U.S. via the Elevent streaming platform November 3-14.

On November 7, see Emīlija — The Queen of the Press (Emīlija. Latvijas preses karaliene, dir. Andis Mizišs & Kristīne Želve, Latvia, 2021), a mini-series about Emīlija Benjamiņš (Guna Zariņa), the “queen of press” in interwar Latvia, whose wealth and tragic fate have since become legend.Emīlija follows the period from the beginnings of Emīlija’s magazine Atpūta (Leisure), to President Ulmanis’ coup d’état and the start of WWII. In the first two episodes, we meet Emīlija, her colorful extended family, her lively, creative staff, and experience the nightlife of 1920s Riga. Emīlija deals with setbacks elegantly, managing everything from cocaine addictions to angry advertisers, and always gets her way. But she can’t forget a clairvoyant’s dark prophecy, which casts a dark cloud over even the most glamorous party that she hosts at her large Riga mansion.

Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance online at the link above; film screenings will take place in Victor Borge Hall. All attendees are required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival in compliance with New York State government; read more here. Attendees are required to follow all Scandinavia House safety protocols, including wearing masks during the program and observing social distancing rules in signage. Please read our full safety protocols here.

Virtual screenings of this film will take place from November 8-14. To read more and purchase virtual passes, please click here.

About NYBFF

Established in 2018, the New York Baltic Film Festival is presented and organized by Scandinavia House in collaboration with the Consulate General of Estonia, Consulate General of Lithuania, and Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations in New York.

Financial support for the festival comes from the Estonian Film Institute, National Film Center of Latvia, and Lithuanian Film Center, with additional sponsorship by the Lithuanian Culture Institute, American Latvian Association, LV-100, Printful, PBLA Culture Fund and the Lithuanian Foundation and the Embassy of Latvia in Washington DC.

Organizers & Sponsors