# Latvian film Uļa release and Oscar candidacy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/latvian-film-ua-release-and-oscar-candidacy
> Updated: 2026-09-16T11:07:09.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The biographical film ‘Uļa’, directed by Viesturs Kairišs, was selected by a national expert commission as Latvia’s official candidate for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The film, which premiered in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section at the Cannes Film Festival, was chosen over another submission after an evaluation of aesthetic qualities.

Following its selection, the film held its Latvian premiere at the Splendid Palace cinema on September 15. The biopic explores the life of legendary Latvian basketball player Uļjana Semjonova, focusing on themes of identity, loneliness, and belonging. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs attended the premiere, describing the work as a ‘powerful and thought-provoking story’ that is not something one would watch with a ‘bucket of popcorn in hand.’

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Uļa film premieres in Latvia

The biographical film ‘Uļa’, directed by Viesturs Kairišs, premiered in Latvia, chronicling the life of legendary basketball player Uļjana Semjonova.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ua-film-premieres-in-latvia

### 2026-08-18: Uļa film selected as Latvia's Oscar candidate

Latvia has chosen Viesturs Kairiša’s film ‘Uļa’ as its official candidate for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ua-film-selected-as-latvias-oscar-candidate

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Cite as: Latvian film Uļa release and Oscar candidacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/latvian-film-ua-release-and-oscar-candidacy