On Sunday, 4th May, the London Baltic Film Festival (LBFF), in partnership with the Latvian Embassy, presents a special screening programme of the acclaimed documentary “More Than a Dance” (“Vair?k k? deja,” Latvia, 2024).

Last November, “More Than a Dance” was the opening film of the London Baltic Film Festival with a sold-out show. It was released in Latvian cinemas this March, and is still playing in Latvia and abroad.

In the heart of Toronto’s vibrant multicultural landscape, a dedicated group of Canadian Latvian immigrants comes together to preserve the traditions of their ancestors through the art of folk dance. Known as Daugavi?a, this close-knit community of dancers spans multiple generations, each member driven by a shared passion for their cultural heritage.

As they prepare for the journey of a lifetime – to perform at the 150th Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Festival in Riga, Latvia – they are not just rehearsing steps, but reconnecting with the rhythms of their roots. The festival, one of the largest such events in the world, drawing almost three times more participants than Olympic Games, represents a homecoming for many, and a chance to immerse themselves in the culture their forebears cherished.

With stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, “More Than a Dance” is a moving tribute to the enduring power of cultural identity and the universal desire to find one’s place in the world.

4th May is Latvia’s Restoration of Independence Day, a significant national holiday commemorating the day in 1990 when Latvia declared independence from the USSR after being occupied by the Soviet regime for five decades.

Screening programme: Sunday 4th May 2025

Venues & tickets:

Bertha Dochouse, London
The Garden Cinema, London
The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford

About the London Baltic Film Festival
The London Baltic Film Festival is the UK’s only celebration of cinema from the three Baltic states, offering a unique lens into the lives, history, and culture of the Baltic nations. The festival is organised and supported by the Embassy of Estonia, Embassy of Latvia, Embassy of Lithuania, the Estonian Film Institute, National Film Centre of Latvia, and Lithuanian Film Centre.