Two Lithuanian films have been shortlisted in the European Film Award: "Mariupol 2" and "Mr. Landsbergis"

This year, two Lithuanian films have been shortlisted in the prestigious European Film Awards: Mantas Kvedaravičius’ "Mariupol 2" (2022) and Sergei Loznitsa’s "Mr. Landsbergis" (2021). Final nominations will be announced on November 8.

The first candidate is the film "Mariupol 2" by director and anthropologist Mantas Kvedaravičius. The film is especially topical due to the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine.

Mantas Kvedaravičius was killed in Mariupol at the beginning of April this year. More important than ever, "Mariupol 2" reveals the hidden daily life of the current residents of Ukraine. The film was awarded the Special Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival. According to the Cannes jury, ‘ "Mariupol 2" is a radical, brave, creative, existential piece’.

Another shortlisted documentary film, contending for the nominee title is "Mr Landsbergis", a film by the director and historian Sergei Loznitsa.

"This film is an important reminder that courage is the most powerful weapon. Even in the hands of small nations, it is capable of breaking an empire of evil," says director S. Loznica.

In 2021 "Mr. Landsbergis" was awarded the main prize at the prestigious IDFA Film Festival in Amsterdam.

Lithuania has received the Best Documentary Film Award once before. Thirty years ago, in 1992, the European Film Academy praised director Audrius Stonys and his film "Earth of the Blind" (1992).

Lithuania’s name is in the short film category too. The two candidates for the best short film nominations are Sauliaus Baradinskas’ film "Techno, mama" (2021) and Vytautas Katkus’ "Cherries" (2022).

This year the European Film Awards, sometimes referred to as the "European Oscars", will be held on December 10 in Reykjavik, Iceland.