(Aiga Redmane 2021)
Dace Pūce is a Latvian film director from Riga. Her feature Bedre won the Grand Prix at four film festivals and was nominated for the Latvian Film Academy Award (2021), while Manny won the European Film Award, highlighting Latvia–India cooperation. Trained in UK and US masterclasses, she brings a patient, observant eye. “Wisdom, humor and meaningful storytelling. These are values that are important to me both as a film viewer and as a filmmaker,” says Dace.
Since 2003, Dace has run her own production company, Marana Productions. In 2016, she founded Pūces Akadēmija. She holds two master’s degrees: choir conductor from the Latvian Academy of Music and film director from the Latvian Academy of Culture. She studied film directing at Brighton Film School (UK) and the New York Film Academy (USA), and is Meisner-certified. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the Latvian Academy of Culture.