In a statement released March 15, Vilnius International Film Festival (March 24 – April 3) confirmed that it is “refusing all Russian films” in line with the petition initiated by the Ukrainian Film Academy.
“We have eliminated all Russian films and co-productions from the programme of our festival as this is not the best time to nourish Russian culture,” the festival reaffirms on its website. Vilnius claims to be the first film festival to enforce the boycott.
The festival will programme a dedicated a ‘Day Zero’ on March 23 of five Ukrainian films on March 23. These include the documentary The Distant Barking of Dogs by Simon Lereng Wilmont.
“The overarching theme of unity – To Exist You Have to Co-Exist – was chosen months ago to help its audience emerge from COVID-era isolation,” festival organisers reflect in the press release.
“We must do everything we can to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. With the boycott, the festival has taken a stand without any compromise. Seeing what is happening in society and the impact on mental health, our team feels that the festival is the most meaningful thing we can do at the moment. Films inspire us to define the difference between good and evil. Let’s be curious, ask ourselves what our role in this tense world is. As a country, Lithuania has stayed silent for so long. We are not afraid to speak up,” the statement continues.
Vilnius IFF’s industry program Meeting Point Vilnius (MPV) has also disinvited Russian projects in line with the festival’s boycott, the statement adds, pointing out that the professional forum will dedicate a special Ukrainian day to its program on April 1 with panels on political, institutional and film industry levels. “Ukrainian filmmakers deserve our full, undivided attention. As they fight for their country and their very lives, we offer a dialogue with them to define short, medium and long-term strategies. It’s never too late to start talking about tomorrow,” says MPV’s Head of Industry Alessandra Pastor.
Aside from The Distant Barking of Dogs, twenty docs are selected within an eclectic and international programme spanning five continents. These include the Lithuanian doc Mončys. Samogitian from Paris by Linas Mikuta. The doc concerns the elusive and celebrated sculptor who left his Lithuanian homeland in 1944 to live and work in Paris.
