The closing event of the Vilnius Film Festival Kino Pavasaris, which took place 24 March-3 April, paid homage to Lithuanian director Mantas Kvedaravičius, who had lost his life hours earlier amidst the war in Mariupol, Ukraine. “We lost a director who did a heroic job documenting the brutality of war. It’s hard to find words at this moment. Mantas himself was not a big talker. Therefore, I invite everyone to observe a minute of silence in honour of the deceased and the people who were killed fighting for the freedom of Ukraine”, said the head of the festival Algirdas Ramaška at the beginning of the evening. He noted that, on the opening day of Kino Pavasaris - the Ukrainian Day - when Kvedaravičius’ film Mariupolis [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Mantas Kvedaravicius
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The rest of the ceremony was traditionally dedicated to the winners of the European Debut Competition, the Short Film Competition and the Meeting Point Vilnius Industry Event. Among the 10 titles in the European Debut Competition, the festival’s jury consisting of Nico Marzano, head of Cinema at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, journalist, author and film critic Beatrice Fiorentino, directors Andrius Blaževičius, Jacqueline Lentzou and Norika Sefa, named Rampart [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], for it explores “historical darkness and takes the viewer on an epic, mysterious journey that frighteningly connects the past with the present.” Marina Redžepović from Croatia, who starred in Sonja Tarokić's The Staffroom [+leggi anche:
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35 films from across Europe competed in the Short Competition. The international jury consisting of Jutta Wille, project coordinator of the German Short Film Association, Laurence Boyce, programme director of the PÖFF Shorts section of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and director, animator and illustrator Skirmanta Jakaitė, granted the main award to the animation short Impossible Figures and Other Stories I by Polish director Marta Pajek, while Swiss director Jela Hasler received a Special Mention for On Solid Ground.

Kornél Mundruczó's Evolution [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Joachim Trier
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The Meeting Point Vilnius industry event winners were also announced and can be found in the full awards list below:

European Debut Competition

Best Actress
Marina Redžepović - The Staffroom [+leggi anche:
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Best Actor
Giedrius Kiela - The Pilgrims [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Laurynas Bareisa
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Best Director
Helena Girón and Samuel M. Delgado – They Carry Death [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Samuel M. Delgado e Helena…
scheda film] (Spain, Colombia)

Best Film
Rampart [+leggi anche:
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Short Film Competition

Best Short Film
Impossible Figures and Other Stories I - Marta Pajek (Poland, Canada)
Special Mention
On Solid Ground – Jela Hasler (Switzerland)

FIPRESCI award
Evolution [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Kornél Mundruczó e Kata Wé…
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Audience Award
The Worst Person in The World [+leggi anche:
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Meeting Point Vilnius Awards

Lithuanian Film Center Award
Christina [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Nikola Spasic
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intervista: Anna Buryachkova
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Special Mention 
Kurak - Erke Dzhumakmatova & Emil Atageldiev (Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland)

Producers Network Award
Mariam Khatchvani for The Stone (Georgia), Jonas Trukanas for Pensive [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Jonas Trukanas
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Sunny Side of Docs Award 
Roberta [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Elena Kairytė
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AVAKA Best Lithuanian Pitch Award
Elena Kairytė for Roberta and Titas Laucius for Parade [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Titas Laucius
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Talents Nest Award winners

Baltic Pitching Forum Award
Kanykei Orozoeva (Kyrgyzstan)
Torino Short Film Market Award
Guzlat Egemberdievar (Kyrgyzstan), Victoria Alexandria Brikmann (Latvia)