At the national cinema award “Lielais Kristaps” the best feature film of last year was recognized as “January” by director Viesturs Kairis, which also received the most awards in total – five “Kristaps” statuettes.
This year, it has been decided to award the best actress award to Marija Luiza Melķka for the main role in the movie “Neona pavasaris”, the best actor award to Kārlis Arnold Avota for her role in the movie “January”, the best supporting actress award to Iveta Pole for her role in the movie “Sisters”, but the best actor in a supporting role award – to Tom Auniņš for his role in the film “Restless Minds”. The liar refused the award until the Latvian state begins to respect the rights of all people.
“First Steps” by director Paulus Ķesters was named the best short feature film, Ieva Ozoliņa’s “Mana māte valsts” was named the best feature film, “81 Meters” by director Jānis Ābele was the best short documentary film, Signes Baumanes was the best animated film “My marriage project”, for the best multi-series film – the work of director Armandas Zvirbulis “Criminal case for a beginner”, for the best debut film – the documentary film “Tikmēr Lucavsala” by director Elsa Gauja, and for the best student film – “My neighbor shot my cat” for the best student film .
This year, the screenwriters of the multi-series film “Criminal Case for Beginners” Juri Kursieti, Matīsa Gricmani, Līga Celmu-Kursieti and Armanda Zvirbuli were awarded for the best screenplay, the director of the feature film – Linda Olti for the movie “Sisters”, and the award for the best camera operator of the feature film was awarded to Aleksandrs Grebnevs for the film “The taste of water”.
The award for the best film artist went to Ieva Jurjāne for her work in the film “January”, Rūta Lečaite was honored as the best costume designer for “January”, the best make-up artist – Maija Gundare for “Sema’s travels”, the best documentary director – Ivars Seleckis for “Peasants”, the best documentary film cinematographer – Gints Bērziņš “Home”, best director of an animated film – Signe Baumane “My Marriage Project”, best artist of an animated film – Signe Baumane “My Marriage Project”, best composer – Platons Buravickis and Juan Hernandez “Restless Minds”, best sound director – Aleksandrs Vaicahovskis “Neon spring”, and the best editing director – Armands Začs “January”.
Cinematographer Alvis Lapiņš received the award for lifetime contribution to film art.
The “Lielā Kristaps” award in cinematography was established in 1977. “Lielais Kristaps” gives the opportunity to see and professionally evaluate the latest Latvian films together, as well as to honor the traditions of Latvian cinema. In 2016, “Lielais Kristaps” won the status of the National Award.