Three filmmakers from the Baltic region complete three week script development residency.
The third edition of the Baltic Shorts Residency, an intensive workshop lasting three weeks held in the small Lithuanian town of Kintai, has concluded for 2021. Between 1st and 20th June 2021, three selected filmmakers from the Baltics undertook an intense writing process whilst receiving professional consultation with a view to producing a fully finished script of their short film.
The participants were Lithuanian film director Akvilė Gelažiūtė with the project 2.2 Atmospheres or Medium Pressure, Estonian director and scriptwriter Juri Krutii with Side Hesitation and Latvian filmmaker Žanete Skarule with the project Big Loop – Small Loop.
This year’s residents had a chance to be mentored by the creative advisor Wim Vanacker (Belgium) who works in the Selection Committee for the Official Short Film Competition of the Cannes Film Festival, as well as working as a script consultant, tutor and guest speaker at different international film industry events.
His mentorship, alongside the chance to share the experience with like-minded colleagues, was one of the many benefits of attending the Residency. According to participant Juri Krutii
“The hardest part of writing lies in sharing and articulating your ideas and vision. Programs like this allow you to do so amongst other incredible writer-directors. It’s a great opportunity to discuss, listen, and really focus on the development of your craft with the exceptional guidance of Wim Vanacker.”
His views were echoed by his fellow participants. Akvilė Gelažiūtė said:
“This residency was not only a great opportunity to develop my script, but also an opportunity to make beautiful friendships with colleagues from the Baltics. And I am very grateful for having the chance to work with wonderful script consultant Wim, who was able to bring me to get the result I wanted and, in general, helped inspire me to write.”
And Žanete Skarule added:
“It was a privilege to spend three weeks discussing and rewriting your story in a group of like-minded filmmakers, and Wim Vanacker, who manages to ask the right questions in order to help shape the film you want to make.”
Rimantė Daugėlaitė, the head of Lithuanian Shorts, the organisers of the Baltic Shorts Residency said:
“We’re so glad that all our participants had such a productive and fruitful time in Kintai. The Baltic Shorts Residency is crucial in nurturing new talents from the Baltc countries and we look forward to seeing the projects that the BSR participants worked on during their stay in Kintai come to fruition over the coming months.”
The next edition of the Baltic short film script development residency “Baltic Shorts Residency” will be held in June 2022.
The Baltic Shorts Residency is organised by Lithuanian Short Film Agency “Lithuanian Shorts”, supported by Lithuanian Council for Culture, Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture. Partners: Estonian Short Film Centre, PÖFF Shorts | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival, Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS, Kintai Arts Residence.
CONTACTS
Gabrielė Cegialytė
Lithuanian Short Film Agency “Lithuanian Shorts”
Phone: +370 628 35040
Email: office@filmshorts.lt