This October, Vilnius will host the first season of ‘UP!’, Lithuania’s only training program designed for emerging film producers seeking to launch their international careers. Taking place on October 6–10, the initiative will bring together seven promising Lithuanian producers for intensive training and networking opportunities. “UP!” is a satellite initiative of the Baltic Pitching Forum, the largest short film industry event in the Baltic States.
The list of program participants includes up-and-coming film producers with different professional backgrounds: Augustė Puteikytė, Marija Kazlauskaitė, Milda Buškevičiūtė, Danielė Kunčinaitė, Marija Lenkutytė-Bartoševič, as well as Aušra Lukošiūnienė, founder of “Vėgėlė Films”, and Vykintas Labanauskas, founder of the animation studio “Glass Elephants Creative Studio”.
The program will unfold in two parts. From October 6–8, participants will attend seminars and workshops led by leading Lithuanian and international film professionals. Following this, they will join the activities of the 13th Baltic Pitching Forum, where they will present themselves and their projects to an audience of industry representatives, including producers, distributors, sales agents, festivals, and film schools.
Throughout the training, participants will deepen their knowledge of the international short film ecosystem, co-production practices, project presentation strategies, and distribution methods. They will also receive individual feedback, complete practical assignments, and consult directly with the program’s lecturers. Confirmed mentors include Amos Geva (T-Port, Germany), Gabriele Brunnenmeyer (Germany), Flavio Armone (Lights On, Italy), and Lithuanian producers Dagnė Vildžiūnaitė (Just a Moment), Agnė Adomėnė (Art Shot), and Brigita Beniušytė (M-Films).
The head of studies of ‘UP!’ is Marija Razgutė, one of Lithuania’s most active film producers, a member of the European Film Academy and, known for her collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers such as Marija Kavtaradze, Vytautas Katkus, Karolis Kaupinis, and Andrius Blaževičius.
“There are several training programs in Europe for experienced feature film producers, but none dedicated to short film producers. With ‘UP!’, we want to offer practical, immediately applicable knowledge that will help participants strengthen their projects and pursue international careers with confidence,” says Razgutė.
‘UP!’ is organized by the Lithuanian short film agency Lithuanian Shorts. The main partner: Baltisches Haus, partners: Independent Producers Association of Lithuania (NPA), Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Lithuania.
