Janis Abele, a renowned cinéaste, embarked on his filmmaking journey during his university days, concurrent with his Philosophy studies. This serendipitous confluence of creative pursuits ultimately led to his academic achievements, as he graduated from the prestigious Latvian Academy of Culture in 2014. His thesis film, "Six feet above," marked a significant milestone, winning the Grand Prix at the 33rd International short film festival Tous Courts in France. This triumph served as the foundation for his debut feature film, "7 Billion Years before the End of the World," which premiered in 2018.
Undeterred by his early success, Janis Abele continued to hone his craft, completing his second feature film, "Jelgava '94," just a year later. This cinematic adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Janis Jonevs, bearing the same title, garnered widespread critical acclaim and commercial success in Latvia. Notably, it received four national film awards, including the coveted Best Directing accolade, at the tender age of 29, solidifying Janis Abele's reputation as a talented and ambitious filmmaker.
