Jūrmala – an International Film Production Hub

Jūrmala is increasingly asserting its place on the global film map. The city—with its unique wooden architectural landscape, early 20th-century historic buildings, seaside location, and proximity to a national park—has become a significant filming location. It offers both authentic historical ambiance and modern infrastructure, making it especially well-suited to international projects. In recent years, several high-profile films have been shot in Jūrmala by globally recognized directors and prominent figures in Latvian cinema. Multiple titles premiered in 2025 or are slated for release in early 2026, underlining Jūrmala’s importance as a creative and inspiring filming environment.

^{Behind the scenes of the film Mary’s Journey at Morbergs’ Summer House in Dzintari}

Below is a curated list of films, selected based on the involvement of significant directors/producers and the presence of international stars. The fact that several internationally acknowledged film service companies operate here—such as FORMA PRO FILMS, which has collaborated with Netflix, Disney, Hallmark, Kristen Stewart, and Kirill Serebrennikov—only reinforces Jūrmala’s appeal and professional standing. At the same time, important Latvian film works are being produced here, showcasing local authors’ distinctive voices and underscoring the city’s value in nurturing the national film industry.

^{Filming location of the film The Mover in Jūrmala}

Recent Productions in Jūrmala (2025–2026)

Color Your Hurt (2025, dir. Bella Thorne)
A drama about a young gay man growing up in the conservative US South, the “Bible Belt,” where religion strongly influences society, and his struggle for identity, acceptance, and love in a hostile environment. Cast includes Bella Thorne and Jason Parks.

The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025, dir. Olivier Assayas)
A political drama inspired by Giuliano da Empoli’s novel, following a fictional Russian spin-doctor during the USSR’s fall and Vladimir Putin’s rise. Starring Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, Jeffrey Wright, and Will Keen.

Smilla’s Sense of Snow (2025, dir. Amma Asante)
A dystopian thriller and six-part TV series based on Peter Høeg’s novel Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow. Set in future Copenhagen, it follows a woman investigating the death of a boy and confronting a dangerous power struggle. Cast includes Filippa Coster-Waldau, Elyas M’Barek, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes.

^{Behind the scenes of the film Mary’s Journey at Morbergs’ Summer House in Dzintari}

Cat on My Mind (Es domāju par kaķi, 2025, dir. Laila Pakalniņa)
A poetic blend of documentary and art film built around discovered photographic negatives from 1968–1978. The film emotionally reconstructs past perspectives by imagining the thoughts of the people depicted.

The Chronology of Water (2025, dir. Kristen Stewart)
An autobiographical drama based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir. It follows a young Olympic swimming hopeful who escapes an abusive family only to lose her scholarship due to addiction. Studying with Ken Kesey in Oregon, she discovers writing as a path to self-understanding. Starring Imogen Poots, Tom Sturridge, and Thora Birch.

Behind the Glass (2025, dir. Olga Dinnikova)
A drama about Anna and her rebellious daughter Lena, who flee Riga after a tragedy and seek a new beginning in Switzerland. Lena’s resistance threatens their fresh start until an unexpected encounter with André changes everything. Cast includes Darya Egorkina, Aurélia Pronina, and Marcus Signer.

^{Filming location of the film The Mover in Jūrmala}

Earlier Titles

Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie (2024, dir. Kirill Serebrennikov)
A provocative biographical drama about Eduard Limonov, a radical Soviet poet who became homeless in New York, a sensation in France, and a political anti-hero in Russia. Screenplay by Emmanuel Carrère, Paweł Pawlikowski, and Ben Hopkins. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Viktoria Miroshnichenko, Tomas Arana.

Marija’s Silence (Marijas klusums, 2024, dir. Dāvis Sīmanis)
A historical drama about Latvian actress Marija Leiko, who became a victim of the NKVD’s “Latvian operation” in 1938 while trying to save her granddaughter. Premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, where it received the Ecumenical Jury Prize.

Sisi (TV series, from 2021, dir. Sven Bohse, Miguel Alexandre, Andy Fetscher)
A historical series offering a modern perspective on Empress Elisabeth of Austria ("Sisi"). Stars Dominique Devenport, Jannik Schümann, and Désirée Nosbusch.

A Year Before the War (Gads pirms kara, 2021, dir. Dāvis Sīmanis)
A Latvian–Lithuanian–Czech historical drama about anarchist Pēteris Mālders in 1913, wandering through London, Berlin, and Riga. Winner of eight “Lielais Kristaps” awards, including Best Feature Film.

^{Behind the scenes of the film Mary’s Journey at Morbergs’ Summer House in Dzintari}

Blizzard of Souls (Dvēseļu putenis, 2019, dir. Dzintars Dreibergs)
A historical drama based on Aleksandrs Grīns’ novel about Latvian riflemen during World War I and the War of Independence. It became the most-watched film in Latvia’s history, winning six “Lielais Kristaps” awards.

Heirs of the Night (TV series, from 2019, dir. Diederik van Rooijen)
A fantasy drama set in 1889, when the last five European vampire clans train their youths for survival. Starring Anastasia Martin, Ulrik William Græsli, and Charlie Banks.

^{Filming location of the film The Mover in Jūrmala}

The Mover (Tēvs Nakts, 2018, dir. Dāvis Sīmanis)
A war drama about Žanis Lipke and his family, who saved 55 Jews during World War II. Based on Inese Zandere’s book Puika ar suni. Nominated for multiple “Lielais Kristaps” awards and winner of Best Foreign Film at the Haifa International Film Festival in 2019.

Mary’s Journey (Mērijas ceļojums, 2018, dir. Kristīne Želve)
A docudrama about Mērija Grīnberga, who volunteered to accompany a train carrying 700 boxes of Latvian museum treasures to Germany at the end of WWII, ensuring their survival and return to Riga.