Vilnius in international commercials

“Congstar,” “Mubi,” “CrowdStrike,” “Kinder,” “Cadillac,” “Honda,” “Primark,” and “Grey Goose” are just a few of the brands whose commercials feature Vilnius. The Vilnius Film Office invites you to explore the popular locations discovered by advertising creators in the city, which have been seen by audiences worldwide.

According to Mindaugas Zabelskas, a creator who has worked on many commercials filmed in the capital, Vilnius attracts attention not only for its locations but also the crews’ professionalism and friendliness of its residents. “There are very few cities where you can find elements of Oslo, London, and Berlin all in one place. A foreign creator can realize 90% of their ideas here. The more visible Vilnius becomes and the better the advertisements that are created, the more new projects are brought here,” Zabelskas explains.

He notes that the specifics of filming a commercial differ significantly from making films or TV series. “Films are prepared for several months, with careful budget planning being crucial. In contrast, technical decisions for ads can be made less than a week before filming. It helps that we are also talking about larger budgets, which allow for more freedom. It’s a very dynamic environment that forces you to face unexpected challenges—for example, if it unexpectedly snows on the filming set, you only have a few hours to create an autumn atmosphere,” Zabelskas shares.

“For ads to come to Lithuania, the production company must prepare location presentations, showcase spaces suitable for filming, and create budget estimates. Everything here seems fresh and interesting for foreigners who have not been to Vilnius; the Old Town and socialist modernist architecture are particularly appealing. However, the location must be not only cinematographically striking but also technically convenient, offering suitable logistics. I am glad that many ideas can be realized in Vilnius, and the city is becoming increasingly open to even the most unusual and complex projects,” he adds, referring to mass scenes, staged accidents, and so on.

“Sometimes it’s necessary to dismantle city infrastructure elements, remove obstacles from the shot, and stop pedestrians. It’s important to remember that you have to not only negotiate but also keep your commitments, not damage city property, and preserve squares, parks, and public spaces,” Zabelskas concludes.

Lvivo street and Europe square – part of a music video

We suggest starting the film tourism route at Europe Square and Lviv Street. This is where commercials for brands like “Honda” and “Yamaha” have been filmed, as well as ads for numerous luxury brands. Lviv Street, surrounded by skyscrapers, creates a modern atmosphere that emphasizes the city’s pulse.

“I love the pleasant atmosphere of Vilnius; it’s a friendly city for filming, compact, and easy to navigate. Most importantly, the team and quality of services here truly match those of countries with deep filming traditions,” said Lidwine Chudy, the executive producer of the “Honda” commercial.

In 2023, American actor, comedian, and rapper Lil Dicky filmed the music video “HAHAHA” here, cruising down Lviv Street in a police-chased limousine.

The „Congstar“ party at the Seimas Square

It’s easy to continue your journey by crossing the White Bridge and turning towards Seimas Square along Gediminas Avenue. The wide angles, details of socialist modernism, and the impressive steps of the nearby Martynas Mažvydas National Library often attract advertising creators.

“This location has a lot of charm, a sense of history, older tiles, and interesting surrounding architecture. It’s a fantastic place for mass or dance scenes. We filmed one of the largest projects in recent years here—the commercial for the mobile operator ‘Congstar.’ By the way, even though we filmed it right before the NATO Summit in 2023 when the city was preparing to host foreign guests, we received immense support and permission from city and state institutions to realize our idea,” explains M. Zabelskas.

Commercials for the clothing store “Primark” and Canada’s credit union “Meridian” have also been filmed here.

In Kaštonų Street – luxurous „Honda“ cars

Another important location is Kaštonų Street, tucked away near Lukiškės Square, home to the Lithuanian Medical Library. Its interior, with preserved furniture and decor, reflects the spirit of the 1960s and socialist realism. The exterior, including the library’s stairs and facade, is equally cinematic.

Kaštonų Street has often transformed into Swedish cities in films and TV series, depicting various periods of Stockholm and Malmö, as well as post-war Berlin. In 2024, a commercial for a musical instrument brand was filmed here, as well as “Honda” with the cars rolling down the Street. 

Ministry of Health turned into a dystopian England

We recommend continuing your journey by returning to Gediminas Avenue and then turning onto Vilnius Street. In the middle of this street, you’ll see the Ministry of Health building, another popular location for advertising creators. Designed by architect Justinas Šeibokas, this late modernist structure echoes the lines of the Old Town and invites visitors into its cinematic open courtyard.

A KFC fast-food commercial was filmed here, transforming Vilnius into a dystopian England, featuring wild, trance-like dancers flooding the well-known exterior. This project involved a team of 100 Lithuanian film professionals and over 200 actors for mass scenes, along with professional choreographers and dancers from Paris and London.

University Street – part of the Cadillac commercial

Next, we invite you to one of the most beautiful streets in the Old Town—University Street. Previously known as Bishops’ Street, this area has become the heart of academic life in Vilnius and has attracted film and advertising creators for over a decade.

For example, a commercial for the luxury car brand “Cadillac” was filmed here. According to M. Zabelskas, this street is not only very cinematic and beautiful but also convenient with light traffic, making it easy to work without significant technical challenges.

Advertising creators also frequent the Presidential Palace located at the end of this street, specifically Daukanto Square. The wide angles, spaciousness, and surrounding buildings make this location suitable for various creative ideas. A commercial for the clothing chain “Primark” was filmed here as well.

Rotušės square and world-known brands

The final stop is the Town Hall, reconstructed in the late 18th century in neoclassical style. The courthouse, gallows square, and luxurious palace—this building has played several roles on film and television screens. Its cinematic appeal is recognized by advertising creators as well.

For instance, in the summer of 2023, Town Hall Square, along with the nearby Contemporary Art Centre, served as the backdrop for a commercial for the international film platform MUBI. MUBI is known for its high-quality films and TV series from around the world and operates in over 190 countries. The advertisement filmed in the Old Town was broadcast in 19 countries.

In the summer of 2023, a commercial for “CrowdStrike” was also filmed against the backdrop of the Town Hall Square fountain.

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