Vilnius International Film Festival


The Vilnius International Film Festival Kino pavasaris is a film festival held annually in March in Vilnius, Lithuania since 1995, and is the largest film festival in the nation in number of films and audience. It is one of the most anticipated annual cultural events in Lithuania.
Vilnius International Film Festival Kino Pavasaris is the biggest and most important cinema event in Lithuania. Over more than 20 years, the festival has become a highly attended cultural phenomenon. In 2017, it attracted 114 250 members of audience in 5 Lithuanian cities. This year, Vilnius IFF will take place in 11 cities over two weeks.
The festival's main venue is Forum Cinemas Vingis, with additional screenings taking place at the local art film theatre SKALVIJA, cinema boutique "Pasaka" and at the shopping mall "Akropolis" at "Forum Cinemas Akropolis". Some screenings are shown in the second largest city of Lithuania - Kaunas at local "Forum Cinemas" centre. And from 2018 Vilnius IFF took place in 11 cities over two weeks.

History

The festival was founded in 1995 at the cinema Lietuva. Festival director Vida Ramaškienė.
After the 2002 festival the venue Lietuva was sold to private investors. As a result, the festival did not happen in 2003.
In 2004 the festival got the first donation from the European Commission. Festival's programme becomes more independent and Edvinas Pukšta with Jurga Stakėnaitė started making festival's film programme.
In 2006 the festival changed its location to Forum Cinemas Vingis in Naujamiestis.
In 2018, Vilnius IFF presented 112 feature and 56 short films, including 12 Lithuanian premieres. Like always, the festival has selected strong debuts and works from masters of film. The large programme has been divided into 5 categories: Discoveries, Festivals' Favourites, Masters, Critics' Choice, and Competition of European Debuts.

Programmes

Since 2009, the festival's competition programmes have become our phenomenal calling card for international film industry professionals, and a great educational tool for festivalgoers. This year, films from debuting European directors will take part in the Competition of European Debuts.
Vilnius International Film Festival is organised in various sections:
Competition programmes:
Other programmes:
2018 Vilnius IFF will also be the first Lithuanian festival to welcome members of the prestigious FIPRESCI association, who will award one director from the Baltic region their prize. The FIPRESCI Prize is significant proof of the festival's quality being recognized on an international level.

Industry event "Meeting Point - Vilnius"

International film industry professionals meet in Vilnius to discuss hot topics of today's and tomorrow's audiovisual world. The highlight of the industry event is the presentation of Lithuanian and Baltic film industry.

Awards at Vilnius International Film Festival

The Audience Award

The oldest and one of the most important award of VIFF.
Introduced in 2011.
Introduced in 2013.
Best short film, selected by a jury from short competition programme. Introduced in 2012.
Introduced in 2018
Jury
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Film
CINEUROPE Prize

Competition programme "New Europe – New Names"

Introduced 2009 - 2018 Retired
The main awards at Vilnius International Film Festival. Introduced in 2009. Chosen by the international jury of the cinema industry professionals: actors, directors, programme directors, cinematographers and producers. The jury will select the best film of the festival and award it with two special prizes.
Best Film
Best Director
Introduced 2009 - 2018 Retired
Best Actors
Introduced 2009 - 2018 Retired
CICAE jury film award
Introduced 2009 - 2018 Retired
Special award
Introduced 2014 - 2018 Retired
Best Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Special mention
Introduced by L'oreal Paris in 2007 as "Lithuanian star", discontinued after 2010. Revived in 2012 as "Best Lithuanian Actress" with new sponsor Bourjois.
Introduced in 2014.
Introduced in 2010.