VFS Films

VFS Films is a Latvian film production company based in Riga, founded in 1997 as Vides Filmu Studija (Environmental Film Studio). It was the first studio in the Baltic states to specialize in nature films and programs, but it has since expanded into fiction, animation, and human-interest stories. The studio is led by Uldis Cekulis and has been recognized for over 25 years for its award-winning creative documentaries, fiction, and animation. Its films have premiered at major international festivals including the Venice International Film Festival, IDFA, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and Warsaw International Film Festival, winning awards such as the Crystal Globe for Best Documentary and the Grand Prix at Docs Against Gravity. VFS Films collaborates with international broadcasters including Arte, ARD, BBC, YLE, SVT, DR, RTBF, ORF, SBS Australia, SABC, LRT, and ETV. The studio offers full post-production services, including three editing rooms and a sound studio, and operates a VOD platform for its content. In 2012, the studio changed its name from Vides Filmu Studija to VFS Films to reflect its broader scope beyond nature films. Recent productions include Scarecrows (2025), Roberto Rossellini – Living Without A Script (2025), All Birds Sing Beautifully (2025), Redlight to Limelight (2025), North South Man Woman (2025), Centre of The Spiral (2025), The End (2024), The Magic Wardrobe (2024), TESA MAN (2024), and Tango of Life (2024).

VFS Films was founded in December 1997 as Vides Filmu Studija (Environmental Film Studio) in Latvia. The studio emerged from a group of friends, including director Dainis Kļava, cinematographer Andris Priedītis, and musicians Ingus Baušķenieks and Māris Maskalāns, who had worked together on the program "Vides vīzijas" (Environmental Visions). Uldis Cekulis, then a public relations specialist at the Ministry of Environment, led the initiative. The first equipment was received in December 1997 through a ministry European project, and that date is internally considered the studio's birthday. Friendship and a family-like atmosphere remain core values. The studio was the first in the Baltic states to specialize in nature films and programs, producing series such as "Vides Fakti" and "Te!". Over time, it expanded into fiction, animation, and human-interest stories. In 2012, Vides Filmu Studija changed its name to VFS Films to avoid the impression that it only produced films about nature, though environmental themes remain important. The studio has produced or co-produced films including "Upurga", "Laika tilti" (Bridges of Time), "Ukrainian Sheriffs", "Dokumentālists", "Klucis. Nepareizais latvietis", and "Jumta likums". It collaborates with international broadcasters such as Arte, ARD, BBC, YLE, SVT, DR, RTBF, ORF, SBS Australia, SABC, LRT, and ETV. Its films have won numerous awards, including the Crystal Globe for Best Documentary at Karlovy Vary for "Immortal" (2019), the Grand Prix at Docs Against Gravity for "Ukrainian Sheriffs" (2015), and Best Feature Documentary at Warsaw for "The Jump" (2020). The studio also operated Nomad.lv, an adventure, fishing, and hunting video portal, which since late 2023 has been repurposed to show only recent adventure and hunting episodes and films. VFS Films continues to produce and co-produce documentaries, fiction, and animation, and provides post-production services from its Riga facility.

• 2023

  Nomad.lv portal repurposed to show only recent adventure and hunting episodes and films.

• 2020

  "The Rossellinis" had world premiere at 77th Venice International Film Festival; "The Jump" won Best Feature Documentary at 36th Warsaw International Film Festival.

• 2019

  "Immortal" won Crystal Globe - Grand Prix for Best Documentary Film at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

• 2018

  "Bridges of Time" received Jury Special mention at Batumi International Art-House Film Festival.

• 2017

  "The Fairytale of Empty Space" won National Film Award Lielais Kristaps for Best director, Best DOP and Best animation artwork.

• 2016

  "Liberation Day" had world premiere at IDFA.

• 2015

  "Ukrainian Sheriffs" won Grand Prix at Docs Against Gravity.

• 2012

  Renamed from Vides Filmu Studija to VFS Films.

• 1997

  Founded as Vides Filmu Studija in December 1997.

Award-winning creative documentary, fiction, and animation production with international co-production and full post-production services.

• 2025

  Scarecrows

• 2025

  Roberto Rossellini – Living Without A Script

• 2025

  All Birds Sing Beautifully

• 2025

  Redlight to Limelight

• 2025

  North South Man Woman

• 2025

  Centre of The Spiral

• 2024

  The End

• 2024

  The Magic Wardrobe

• 2024

  TESA MAN

• 2024

  Tango of Life

1. 1VFS Films | Homepagevfs.lv
2. 2VFS Films | Workvfs.lv
3. 3VFS Films | Aboutvfs.lv
4. 4VFS Films | Servicesvfs.lv
5. 5VFS Films - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6VFS Films - Wikipedia (Latvian)lv.wikipedia.org