Enrico Lando, director, writer and producer is expanding his creative reach into the Baltic and European film industries. Following a successful year at key industry events such as NEM Zagreb and Riga IFF Showcase 2024, Lando is strengthening his ties with European production houses to develop compelling international stories.
How did you end up in the Baltics? Did you have a winning start at NEM Zagreb and Riga IFF Showcase?
My journey into the Baltic film industry gained momentum when I won a prestigious award at NEM Zagreb 2024, which led to my invitation to pitch at the Riga IFF Showcase. In Riga, I presented Three Mothers, a feature film project that I am set to direct, based on a story I co-wrote with Dino Gentili. The project received enthusiastic responses, opening doors for collaboration with European production houses.
Three Mothers secured the involvement of Jolefilm, the Italian production company founded by Francesco Bonsembiante. During Riga IFF, Lando initiated discussions with international producers, ultimately leading to a partnership with Air Production, a renowned Lithuanian production company led by Antra Gaile.
"Together, Jolefilm and Air Production applied for the Development Award for Co-Productions between Italy and the Baltic States—and won. This achievement underscores the increasing significance of Baltic and Northeastern European regions as key players in international co-productions."
The development of Three Mothers is moving forward with a diverse team of screenwriters. In addition to Lando and Gentili, the script is being co-written with Līga Gaisa, a talented Latvian screenwriter. This collaboration ensures that the film resonates across cultural borders.
As Enrico Lando continues to explore new opportunities in these markets, his work exemplifies the growing potential of cross-border partnerships in shaping the future of European cinema.
What are the next steps?
My partners and I aim to further expand the reach of Three Mothers by involving additional European co-producers. Our next goal is to secure funding through the European Co-Development - CREA-MEDIA-2025-CODEV program, further solidifying the production as a truly international project.
The success of Three Mothers highlights the growing importance of the Baltic states and other European regions in the global film industry. With competitive funding programs, a strong network of production companies, and a rising reputation for high-quality storytelling, these regions have the potential to become strategic hubs for filmmakers seeking international collaborations.