Here you can get to know some of our academic staff – individuals who not only share knowledge but also encourage and support the development of your creative potential and professional skills.

Dr. Aigars Ceplitis

Dean of the Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies, ���������Թ� University

Dr. A. Ceplitis is a practitioner and researcher of audiovisual arts and media arts, as well as an Assistant Professor with extensive international experience in film directing, editing, and media education. He holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Film from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts, USA) and a doctoral degree in Art Science with a focus on 360° film narratology.

In the bachelor’s programme in Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts, he teaches the courses Acting II, Audiovisual Montage Aesthetics and Production Processes, Production of 360-Degree Cinematic VR, as well as the specialized course Directing the Actor for aspiring film directors.

Alongside his academic work, Dr. Aigars Ceplītis actively participates in international projects, developing VR projects and presenting research on immersive storytelling and the evolution of cinematic language in the digital age. His work includes both virtual reality films and interactive media exhibitions.

Mg.art. Daira Abolina

Head of the Arts Department, ���������Թ� University

D. Abolina is one of Latvia’s most recognized film scholars and critics, with professional experience spanning both the academic field and the cultural media sphere. She actively participates in international film events, including serving on juries at film festivals such as the Venice Film Festival, the Europa Cinemas expert committee in Berlin, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), among others.

In the bachelor’s programme in Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts, D. Abolina leads the course Analysis and Critique of Creative Industries, as well as the specialized course Aesthetics of Documentary Films for aspiring film directors and cinematographers. Her lectures foster the ability to analyze, think deeply, and perceive cinema as a multilayered cultural form. Students appreciate her skill in combining a scholarly perspective with practical experience and an empathetic approach to the author’s work.

Mg. art. Lelde Kovalova

Guest Lecturer at ���������Թ� University, Film Producer, and Author 

Lelde Kovalova is an experienced film producer and author who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ���������Թ�’s Media and Creative Technologies faculty. She has successfully served as a visiting lecturer in the Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts programme for over three years, providing students with both in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills in film and television dramaturgy. She leads the course The Dramatic Construction and Production of TV Series, sharing her extensive professional experience and encouraging students to develop skills in crafting successful stories. 

As the lead producer, L. Kovalova has been involved in several significant film projects, including the TV series Bezvēsts pazudušās and Nelūgtie viesi. Additionally, she is the author of multiple books, such as Bezvēsts pazudušās (2019), ������š���Ծ���쾱 (2020), Š�Dz����Ჹ (2021), Tvitera tiesa (2022), and her latest psychological thriller Klusie kaimiņi (2024), which has received widespread acclaim from both readers and critics.

Mg.art. Anna Viduleja
Guest Lecturer at ���������Թ� University, Film Director

A. Viduleja is a renowned film director and screenwriter with significant experience in the Latvian film industry. Her documentary film Podnieks par Podnieku. Laika liecinieks (2024), co-directed with A. Cilinska, received the National Film Award Lielais Kristaps for Best Feature-Length Documentary. Her feature film Homo Novus (2018), which she both directed and wrote the screenplay for, became one of the most-watched Latvian films in recent years. The film was seen by over 91,000 viewers, making it the most popular Latvian film of 2018.

At Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts programme, A. Viduleja teaches two directing courses designed for aspiring film directors. In these courses, she shares her extensive professional experience, fostering the development of students’ creative vision, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively with actors, and deepening their understanding of storytelling techniques as well as refining their technical skills in the art of cinema.

Mg.art. Uldis Jancis
Guest Lecturer at ���������Թ� University, Film Cinematographer

U. Jancis is an experienced cinematographer and lighting technician with extensive practical experience in both Latvian and international film and multimedia projects. He has worked as a cinematographer and lighting technician on several significant film projects, including Rīgas sargi (2007), Tēvs Nakts (2019), and Dvēseļu putenis (2019).

In Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts programme, he teaches four courses designed for aspiring cinematographers, including Gaffing for Film and Television and Film Technologies. In these courses, U. Jancis shares his professional experience and knowledge, helping students acquire both the technical skills and creative approaches necessary to produce high-quality and visually compelling film and multimedia content.

Mg.art. Randall Galera
Guest Lecturer at ���������Թ� University, Actor

R. Galera is an experienced actor and theatre educator who has worked extensively at the prestigious English Theatre in Vienna – one of Europe’s most renowned English-language theatres. His versatile acting skills and ability to bring both classical and contemporary characters to life on stage have been highly praised by audiences and critics alike. R. Galera places special emphasis on the emotional depth and authenticity of his characters.

Currently, he teaches the course Acting to first-year students in the English-taught stream of the Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts programme. In this course, he shares his professionalism and guides students in developing their acting skills, focusing on both voice and movement.

Mg.art. Zane Ozolina

Guest Lecturer at ���������Թ� University, journalist, documentary filmmaker

Z. Ozolina is an experienced journalist and documentary filmmaker actively working in the Latvian media and film industry. Her work often focuses on socially significant and current topics such as human rights, social change, and cultural heritage. Among her notable projects are the documentary series Dzīvības stāsti and Latvijas balsis, as well as the directed documentary film Cilvēki no malas, which have received recognition on Latvian Radio and other media outlets, offering a deep and analytical perspective on events and personalities.

In Audiovisual Arts and Media Arts programme, she teaches several courses focusing on journalism and information presentation, including Audiovisual Journalism and Information Design. Within these courses, Z. Ozolina shares her professional experience and theoretical knowledge, fostering students’ critical thinking, storytelling skills, and understanding of the specific characteristics of journalism and documentary film genres, preparing them for work in the media and film industries.