“Silver Crane” – A Celebration and a Mirror of the Industry: Laimonas Ubavičius and Darius Vaitiekūnas on the Significance of Lithuania’s National Film Awards
Every year, the Lithuanian National Film Awards “Silver Crane” bring together the country’s film community and become one of the most important cinematic events of the year.
Cannes Film Festival Between Politics and the Magic of Cinema: Film Critic Dmitrij Gluščevskij on This Year’s Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival has remained one of the most important platforms in the global film industry for decades. It is where the year’s biggest premieres are born, cinematic trends begin to take shape, and the festival’s competition lineup often becomes a kind of roadmap for the film year ahead. Yet today, Cannes is not […]
Two Films, two different worlds, one Cannes: costume designer Rūta Lečaitė on working on “Ulya” and “Spring”
This year at the Cannes Film Festival, the work of costume designer Rūta Lečaitė will be seen in two films – Latvian director Viesturs Kairišs’ “Ulya” and the Lithuanian-Ukrainian-French co-production “Vesna” (“Spring”).
“Is hell like an office? Creators on adult animation, corporate absurdity, and why now is the right time
Animation studio Meinart is developing this project for the international market, and its creators are clear – animation is no longer just a medium for children.
“The best movie – without music?”: composers on silence, tension, and why music sometimes gets in the way
What do you hear when “nothing is happening” in a movie? Sometimes – that’s exactly when everything begins. Composers Paulius Kilbauskas and Vygintas Kisevičius have been creating music for films, commercials, and the stage for over 15 years, but they themselves point out a paradox: the best music in cinema is sometimes… its absence. While […]
Introducing National Locations to International Filmmakers – Jonas Špokas: Lithuania’s Advantage Is Its Scale and Diversity
“From Vilnius Old Town, you can reach Kaunas Old Town within an hour, and just a couple of hours later find yourself in Nida – a completely different world. This concentration and diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths,” says Jonas Špokas, founder of the location management team Baltic Locations. Speaking to the Vilnius […]
“Sand in Your Hair” Actor L. Laucevičius: If You Are Passionate About What You Do, Any Profession Has Meaning
Very soon, Lithuanian cinema screens will welcome the new film Sand in Your Hair by director Mantas Verbiejus, starring actors Jūratė Onaitytė and Liubomiras Laucevičius in the leading roles. Sand in Your Hair tells the story of older people who decide to embrace change and free themselves from loneliness. Actor Liubomiras Laucevičius speaks to the […]
From Idea to Screen in 48 Hours: Vilnius Debuts in Worldwide Film Challenge
The 48 Hour Film Project is a fast-paced weekend challenge in which teams compete to create the best short film in just 48 hours, using a set of required elements. Launched 25 years ago in Washington, D.C., the project now spans more than 100 cities worldwide. The first Vilnius edition took place this November, bringing […]
Action Scene Coordinator Saulius Janavičius: You Spend a Lifetime Learning Stunts
Fight sequences, warriors on horseback, complex jumps, and dangerous falls – this is everyday life for stunt performers, without whom cinema would be unimaginable. Action scene coordinator Saulius Janavičius could speak endlessly about tough decisions and spectacular stunts. He is one of the founders of “Vilkas”, Lithuania’s first stunt team, and has contributed to dozens […]
Horse Coordinator M. Raila: Both Animals and Actors Must Be Properly Prepared on Set
Horses trotting across the frame, massive historical battle scenes, or rolling carriages – all are inseparable parts of the film world. Horses seen in movies are specially trained, and on set they are cared for by horse coordinators. One of them is Marijonas Raila, not only a professional in equestrian sports but also someone who […]