Vilnius Short Film Festival Becomes Oscar Qualifying Festival

News 2024-10-15

Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, revealed its list of film festivals whose winners can qualify for Oscar consideration. For the first time, a Lithuanian film festival has been included on this list – the Vilnius Short Film Festival. As a result, the winner of the festival’s Grand Prix will now be eligible to compete for an Oscar. This significant recognition is an important milestone, not only for the festival but also for the broader Lithuanian film and cultural community.

The Academy Awards, or Oscars, have been presented annually since 1929 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of cinematic achievements. The Oscar is regarded as the most prestigious film award in the world.

According to the Vilnius Short Film Festival’s rules, all films participating in the competition programs – both international and national – are eligible for the Grand Prix. The winner of the Grand Prix at the festival, which will take place in 2025, will be eligible to compete for the 98th Academy Awards, set to be held in March 2026.

The Vilnius Short Film Festival is one of the largest international short film festivals in the Baltic countries and the only short film festival in Lithuania. Established in 2006, it has become a unique platform in Lithuania, screening global short films made by both emerging and established talents.

The festival annually presents around twenty short film programs, featuring over 100 short films. The competition programs highlight the strongest and most remarkable works by Lithuanian and international filmmakers from the past two years, from which an international jury selects and awards the best films of the festival. Moreover, the Festival features special non-competition programs such as retrospectives, programs for kids, youth, and seniors, as well as theme or country-based short film selections.

The 18th edition of the Vilnius Short Film Festival will take place from January 15 to 21, 2025.