Vilnius Short Film Festival Becomes Qualifying Festival for European Film Awards
Last week, the European Film Academy’s Board decided to expand its Short Film Network by adding a new member. For the first time, Lithuania now has its own festival in the network: the Vilnius Short Film Festival. As a result, one of the films from the festival’s competition programmes will be eligible for candidacy in the European Film Awards’ European Short Film category. This decision was made during the Academy Board meeting in Vilnius (Lithuania) on April 4-6.
“This recognition by the European Film Academy is a significant achievement for the Vilnius Short Film Festival and the entire Lithuanian film industry. Being included in the Short Film Network not only elevates our festival but also provides a greater platform for both Lithuanian filmmakers and those from across Europe to showcase their work at the festival, bringing them closer to the candidacy for the European Film Awards’ European Short Film category. We are thrilled that, for the first time, the network now has a voice from Lithuania,” – says Rimantė Daugaitė, Head of the Vilnius Short Film Festival.
The Vilnius Short Film Festival is the only Oscar-qualifying and, from now on, European Film Awards-qualifying festival in Lithuania. It is also one of the largest international short film festivals in the Baltic countries and the only short film festival in Lithuania. The festival annually presents around twenty short film programmes, featuring over 100 short films. Established in 2006, the festival has become a unique platform in Lithuania, screening European and global short films made by both emerging and established talents. In 2024, the Vilnius Short Film Festival received prestigious recognition from the Vilnius City Municipality, being granted the esteemed status of Vilnius City Festival. This honour was bestowed upon the Festival in acknowledgement of its active representation of the city on an international stage through cinema. The 19th edition of the Vilnius Short Film Festival will take place from January 21 to 27, 2026.
Ever since the European Film Academy was founded, it has been its intention not only to honour the outstanding achievements of established filmmakers, but also to support and promote short films, often made by talented newcomers. From 1998 onwards, the European Film Academy included the European Short Film category at the annual European Film Awards.
The nominees for the European Short Film are chosen by the members of the European Film Academy Short Film Network. From this year’s April, this pan-European network includes a total of 31 festivals with an international short film competition, as well as renowned international short film festivals in 25 European countries. Each festival selects one short film candidate for the annual European Film Awards from their (international) competition(s). Based on this list, the 5 nominees are chosen every year in October and presented to the 5,000 members of the European Film Academy, who vote for the winner.
The 38th edition of the European Film Awards will be held in Berlin on January 17, 2026.
More information about the European Film Academy Short Film Network and its members: here.
