Lithuanian cinema shines at Locarno Film Festival
A surprising triumph for Lithuanian filmmakers
The Locarno Film Festival, a prestigious event in the world of cinema, witnessed an unexpected yet delightful twist this year. Lithuanian cinema, often underrepresented on the global stage, emerged as the highlight of the festival. Two films from this Baltic nation garnered significant accolades, marking a historic moment for Lithuanian filmmakers.
The rise of ‘Toxic’
Saulė Bareiša’s debut film, Toxic, made a remarkable impact by winning the Golden Leopard for Best Film in the International Competition. This achievement is even more impressive considering it also secured the top prize in the First Feature Competition. The film’s success is a testament to Bareiša’s storytelling prowess and directorial vision.
Laurynas Bareiša’s ‘Drowning Dry’
Another Lithuanian filmmaker, Laurynas Bareiša, also made waves at the festival. His sophomore feature, Drowning Dry, earned him the Best Director award in the International Competition. The film’s ensemble cast, including Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Giedrius Kiela, and Paulius Markevičius, collectively won one of the jury’s gender-neutral acting prizes, further highlighting the film’s excellence.
A closer look at the winners
International Competition
- Golden Leopard for Best Film: Toxic, Saulė Bareiša
- Special Jury Prize: Moon, Kurdwin Ayub
- Best Director: Laurynas Bareiša, Drowning Dry
- Best Performance: (ex aequo) Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Giedrius Kiela, and Paulius Markevičius, Drowning Dry; Kim Minhee, By the Stream
- Special Mentions: Youth (Hard Times), Wang Bing; Salve Maria, Mar Coll
Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) Competition
- Best Film: Holy Electricity, Tato Kotetishvili
- Best Emerging Director: Denise Fernandes, Hanami
- Special Jury Prize: Listen to the Voices, Maxime Jean-Baptiste
- Best Performance: (ex aequo) Callie Hernandez, Invention; Anna Mészöly, Lesson Learned
- Special Mentions: Lesson Learned, Bálint Szimler; When the Phone Rang, Iva Radivojević
First Feature Competition
- Swatch First Feature Award: Toxic, Saulė Bareiša
- MUBI Award for Debut Feature: Green Line, Sylvie Ballyotr
- Special Mentions: Hanami, Denise Fernandes; Listen to the Voices, Maxime Jean-Baptiste
Pardi di Domani Short Film Competition
Auteur Short Competition
- Best Auteur Short Film: Upshot, Maha Haj
- Special Mention: The Masked Monster, Syeyoung Park
- Locarno Film Festival Short Film Candidate – European Film Awards: The Exploding Girl, Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel
International Competition
- Best International Short Film: Washhh, Mickey Lai
- Pardino d’Argento: Hymn of the Plague, Ataka51
- Best Director: Que te Vaya Bonito, Rico, Joel Alfonso Vargas
- Medien Patent Verwaltung AG Award: The Form, Melika Pazouki
- Special Mention: Freak, Claire Barnett
National Competition
- Best Swiss Short Film: Sans Voix, Samuel Patthey
- Pardino d’Argento: Better Not Kill the Groove, Jonathan Leggett
- Best Swiss Newcomer Award: Gabriel Grosclaude, Lux Carne
- Special Mention: Progress Mining, Gabriel Böhmer
Pardo Verde Competition
- Pardo Verde: Agora, Ala Eddine Slim
- Special Mentions: Der Fleck, Willy Hans; Revolving Rounds, Johann Lurf and Christina Jauernik
Independent Jury Awards
- Ecumenical Jury Award: Toxic, Saulė Bareiša
- Special Mention: Moon, Kurdwin Ayub
- FIPRESCI Prize: Youth (Hard Times), Wang Bing
- Europa Cinemas Label: Moon, Kurdwin Ayub
Junior Jury Awards
International Competition
- First Prize: Green Line, Sylvie Ballyot
- Second Prize: Toxic, Saulė Bareiša
- Third Prize: Salve Maria, Mar Coll
- Environment is Quality of Life Prize: Youth (Hard Times), Wang Bing
Cineasti del Presente Competition
- First Prize: Holy Electricity, Tato Kotetishvili
- Special Mention: Olivia & Las Nubes, Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat
Short Film Competition
- International Competition Award: Razeh-Del, Maryam Tafakory
- Special Mention: Punter, Jason Adam Maselle
- National Competition Award: Sans Voix, Samuel Patthey
- Special Mention: Lux Carne, Gabriel Grosclaude
- Auteur Short Award: Upshot, Maha Haj
- Environment is Quality of Life Prize: Three Leaves, Eléonore Coyette and Sephora Monteau
Critics’ Week Awards
- Grand Prix: Wir Erben, Simon Baumann
- Marco Zucchi Award: La Déposition, Claudia Marschal
Residency Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur @ Villa Sträuli
- Maryam Tafakory
Reflecting on the festival’s impact
The success of Lithuanian films at the Locarno Film Festival is a significant milestone. It not only highlights the talent and creativity of Lithuanian filmmakers but also opens doors for more diverse voices in the global cinema landscape. The recognition of films like Toxic and Drowning Dry serves as an inspiration for emerging filmmakers worldwide, proving that compelling storytelling transcends borders and languages.
For cinema enthusiasts, the festival’s diverse selection of films offers a treasure trove of new and exciting narratives to explore. Whether it’s the poignant storytelling of Toxic or the innovative direction of Drowning Dry, there’s something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.