Festivals’ Favourite Initiative
The Lithuanian short film agency “Lithuanian Shorts” traditionally celebrates the International Short Film Day on the shortest day of the year — December 21. On this occasion, it organises the event series “Short, Yet Day”, and to celebrate the success of Lithuanian cinema, the agency announces “Festivals’ Favourite” award, which recognises the Lithuanian short film that has travelled to the greatest number of film festivals.
Since 2017, the “Festivals’ Favourite” initiative has aimed to draw the attention of both the film industry and the wider public to the successful journey of Lithuanian short films across international film festivals, the active participation of filmmakers in these events, and the importance of international visibility for their professional development and for strengthening the international presence of Lithuanian cinema.
All Lithuanian short filmmakers are invited to participate in the “Festivals’ Favourite” selection by completing an application form and submitting a list of festivals their film has attended. Registration is open and free of charge, and takes place at the beginning of December each year.
The winner is announced during the “Short, Yet Day” events on December 21. The “Festivals’ Favourite” receives a monetary prize established by the Audiovisual Works Copyright Association “AVAKA”.
Festivals’ Favourite 2017
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the animated film “Running Lights” by Gediminas Šiaulys. It was selected for 65 film festivals during 2017. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2018
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the fiction film “The Last Day” by Klaudija Matvejevaitė. It was selected for 20 film festivals during 2018. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2019
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the animated film “The Juggler” by Skirmanta Jakaitė. It was selected for 58 film festivals during 2019 . More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2020
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the fiction film “Community Gardens” by Vytautas Katkus. It was selected for 56 film festivals during 2020. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2021
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the animated film “Matilda and the Spare Head” by Ignas Meilūnas. It was selected for 79 film festivals during 2021. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2022
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the fiction film “Techno, Mama” by Saulius Baradinskas. It was selected for 73 film festivals during 2022. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2023
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the fiction film “Cherries” by Vytautas Katkus. It was selected for 42 film festivals during 2023. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2024
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the animated film “Hoofs on Skates” by Ignas Meilūnas. It was selected for 82 film festivals during 2024. More information about the films – here.
Festivals’ Favourite 2025
The award of the “Festivals’ Favourite” went to the animated film “Hoofs on Skates” by Ignas Meilūnas. It was selected for 99 film festivals during 2025. More information about the films – here.
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