was a Latvian film director, Master of Arts, meritorious artist and lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Culture. The author of the idea of the award name of the film festival founded in 1977, the award is named after the guardian and mover of Kristaps the Great.
Epner was born in Riga, in the family of a Latvian army officer. Ansh's father died in exile in Norilsk. In 1957, he graduated from Mazsalac High School, in 1962 he graduated from the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the State University of Latvia. In 1971, he graduated from the Higher Director's Course in Moscow. In 1962, Ansis Epners became the editor of Latvian Television, until he left this position in 1968. After that, he became the director of Riga Film Studio (until 1991). 1991. In 2010, the director became the head of the cinema and video studio AVE. Between 1993 and 1997, he was the president of the Association of Latvian Film Producers.
He mostly directed documentaries, including about several athletes, for example Artūrs Irbis ("Partridge: man and mask" - 1996), Mihail Tāls ("Mihails Tāls. After twenty years" - 1980). Filmed magazines "Latvijas hronika", "Māksla", "Sporta ompils", "Sodomju Latvija". Played small roles in the films "The Last Reportage" (Dzidra Ritenberga, 1986), "Seaside Climate" (Roland Kalniņš, 1974), "Touch" (Rostislavs Gorjajevs, 1973).
Several films directed by Anša Epner have received the Great Kristaps Award: "Chetri šerki milionu" as the best documentary film in 1979, newsreel award and diploma for the film "Games of Good Will" in 1986, the documentary film "I am a Latvian" was recognized as the best in 1990 , the feature film "The Cage" - a screen adaptation of Albert Bell's psychological novel, received the best film award in 1993, the best work of a documentary cinematographer with the film "From Everest to Paradise" in 2000.
In 2002, he was awarded the fourth class Order of Three Stars. In 2003, "Anša's travel book" written by him was published with travel stories, poetry and various photo materials. The artist was buried in the second Great Forest Cemetery.
