THE CURRENT STATE OF LATVIAN CINEMA IN THE STREAMING ERA

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse trends in the production and consumption of Latvian films and the impact of streaming platforms on the Latvian film industry, specifically regarding film financing and distribution within a broader context. Since the emergence of streaming platforms, significant adjustments have occurred in the ways films are financed, distributed, and consumed. This study seeks to map the new conditions affecting Latvian film production, distribution practices, and audience consumption.

Traditionally, film audiences have been assessed through statistical data on cinema attendance; however, there is an increasing need to analyse film audiences more comprehensively, tracking the entire lifecycle of the films – from cinema exhibition to linear television and streaming platforms. How has the introduction of both local and global streaming platforms altered the practices of Latvian cinema? Where is the audience for Latvian films concentrated – within cinemas, or do they prefer viewing on television or streaming services?

By analysing quantitative data on audiences for Latvian films across various platforms collected by the National Film Centre of Latvia, this article offers a broader and more nuanced examination of the lifecycle and audience of national films.