Competition

The selected emerging directors surprise with their ambition, early mastery, and distinct authorial voices. Although their thematic range is diverse, they are united by a bright, insightful perspective and an exceptional ability to draw the viewer into the narrative. These creators are not afraid of bold visual language, bravely reflect on complex social issues, are extremely sensitive, and, most importantly, offer viewers a fresh perspective and promise an inspiring future for European arthouse cinema. An international jury will evaluate the films in competition, with the winner receiving a 8,000 euro prize.

The program is presented

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Country
France, Georgia, Italy
Genre
Drama
Duration
134 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

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Dea Kulumbegashvili Ap’rili
April
In a remote Georgian village, Nina secretly performs abortions. After a tragic incident, a dark shadow falls over her.
Country
Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden
Genre
Drama, Thriller
Duration
117 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel Armand
Armand (SDH)
An incident between two boys forces their parents and school staff to engage in a tense search for the truth, overshadowed by unexpected grievances from the past.
Country
Belgium, France, Latvia
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure
Duration
85 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like
The film is presented

Gints Zilbalodis Straume
Flow (SDH, AD)
An Oscar and Golden Globe-winning story: After a massive flood, a cat finds refuge in a boat and sets off on a survival adventure alongside other displaced animals.
Country
Denmark, France, Sweden, Ukraine
Genre
Documentary
Duration
95 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

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Olha Zhurba Pisni zemli, shcho povilno horyt’
Songs of Slow Burning Earth
How the unthinkable becomes routine – a documentary about the normalization of war in Ukraine and the necessity of carrying on.
Country
Romania, Serbia
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Duration
138 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like

Bogdan Mureșanu Anul Nou care n-a fost
The New Year That Never Came
Goodbye, Communism! On the brink of 1990 in Bucharest, six strangers experience a tragicomic beginning of the revolution.
Country
France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Genre
Drama, Thriller
Duration
105 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like

Mahdi Fleifel To a Land Unknown
To a Land Unknown
Two Palestinians save up for forged documents, but when one’s drug addiction spirals out of control, their plan to escape from Athens turns into a deadly trap.
Country
Lithuania
Genre
Drama
Duration
100 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like

Saulė Bliuvaitė Akiplėša
Toxic (SDH, AD)
Returning home at last: this bold drama from Saulė Bliuvaitė explores the price of ambition and the toxic lure of beauty.
Country
Poland
Genre
Drama
Duration
105 min
Release date
2024

Trailer

To like

Damian Kocur Pod wulkanem
Under the Volcano
A young Ukrainian family learns about the war in their homeland on the last day of the holiday in Tenerife, while the indifference of the tourists around them only amplifies their inner turmoil.

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Festival opening for kids

We will invite parents and their children to a special celebration for kids in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda. Joyful chatter, games, treats, and two animated films – “Flow” and “BFF. Turbo Bear”.

Films

The program is presented

Shorts About Čiurlionis

In 2025, we celebrate a special anniversary – the 150th birthday of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, the most prominent Lithuanian artist of all time. To mark this occasion, we present the premiere of restored films dedicated to Čiurlionis by three giants of Lithuanian cinema: Robertas Verba, Arūnas Žebriūnas, and Algirdas Dausa.

Films

The program is presented

Critics' Choice

Always drawing some of the largest crowds to the cinemas, the Critics’ Choice programme is back this year with the favourites of film critics writing for a variety of prestigious publications. This breathtaking selection includes films that tell extraordinary stories using unique forms and genres. Both renowned and emerging filmmakers find their place here.

Films

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