Winners Of 12th Baltic Pitching Forum Announced

This year, the 12th edition of the Baltic Pitching Forum (BPF) welcomed filmmaking talents from the Baltic countries and Croatia to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. Pitching twelve projects to key industry figures, alongside participating in a series of talks, lectures, and training sessions, the attendees benefited from an event that continues to be regarded as one of the most important industry showcases in the Baltic region.

All the projects were pitched before two panels of international film experts, who awarded prizes at a ceremony held on Thursday evening.

The Lithuanian project Madonna Terrible, directed by Elžbieta Latėnaitė and produced by Greta Akcijonaitė, was awarded a place at the European Short Film Co-production Forum, Euro Connection 2025, which is part of the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. According to the BPF Panel: “The award goes to a bold project, promising to explore a complex internal process of detachment through changing perceptions and perspectives. It is supported by a strong creative team that will undoubtedly benefit from this platform to meet potential partners and bring this powerful story to the screen.”

Another Lithuanian project, the hybrid film Suez, directed by Martynas Norvaišas and produced by Ieva Černiauskaitė, received an invitation to the ShorTO Film Market 2024 and its Pitching Session, "You Only Pitch Twice." The BPF Panel said: “This is a project in which the synthesis capacity of short cinema is enhanced, maximizing the potential of the medium of language. Straight to the point, the author draws a line that connects global and intimate, personal discomfort. A clear theme, aimed at everyone. It reminds us that we are simultaneously part of society and alone.”

The Baltic Producers Jury MEDIA Award – initiated by the Creative Europe offices in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and accompanied by a €1000 cash prize – went to the Estonian animation project It is (Not) Yours (dir. Carlos Santiago Ordoñez, prod. Edina Csüllög). The Baltic Producers Jury said: “For the simplicity and honesty in addressing the topic, the clarity of narrative, and a very special approach to sound design, as well as the unexpected co-production between Colombia and Estonia.”

 

The Jury also gave a special mention to the Estonian project Saivo (dir. Alesja Suzdaltseva, prod. Magnus Kristiansen, Madis Tüür) for the director's brave vision and unique visual approach, with high hopes from the jury to encourage more films for children.

This year, the Baltic Pitching Forum introduced a new prize – the Up Records Sound Post-Production Award – established by the Vilnius-based Up Records studio. This prize offers the winners post-production services worth €2000. The award went to the Estonian project Breadsong, directed by Katariina Aule and produced by Andreas Kask. Saulius Urbanavičius, the sound post-production supervisor at Up Records, explained: “Our choice was driven by the originality of the story and the potential of its sound design. Additionally, we wanted to explore the horror genre, which isn't very popular in Lithuania.”

Breadsong also received an additional prize – the Radiator IP Sales Distribution Award, which includes consultancy and guidance for filmmakers. Ben Vandendaele, the founder of Radiator IP Sales, said the award went to a project that “masterfully weaves an eerie atmosphere with profound commentary on the human condition.” He added that the company is excited to support the unique vision of director Katariina Aule and help guide this remarkable story forward.

The Baltic Film Students’ Mention, initiated by the National Film School of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, the National Film School of the Latvian Academy of Culture, and the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University, was awarded to the Estonian animation It is (Not) Yours (dir. Carlos Santiago Ordoñez, prod. Edina Csüllög). According to the participating students, they chose the most inspiring project, with spot-on visuals, a passionate presentation, and a captivating story. “We hope it will grow in its simplicity and reach the audience in the same heartwarming way that it reached us.”

The winners of the Euro Connection and ShorTO Film Market prizes were selected by the BPF Panel members: Alessandro Giorgio (ShorTO Film Market, Italy), Laurent Crouzeix (Euro Connection, Clermont-Ferrand ISFF and Short Film Market, France), Wouter Jansen (distributor, Square Eyes, Austria), Sadhbh Murphy (distributor, Network Ireland Television, Ireland), Gábor Osváth (producer, Boddah, Hungary), Ben Vandendaele (sales agent, Radiator IP Sales, Belgium), and Sari Volanen (TV commissioning editor, Yle TV, Finland).

This year’s Baltic Producers Jury consisted of Elina Litvinova (Three Brothers, Estonia), Līga Gaisa (Air Productions, Latvia), and Rūta Jekentaitė (Baltic Productions, Lithuania).

The next edition of the Baltic Pitching Forum will take place on 7–10 October 2025. The Forum is organised by the Lithuanian Short Film Agency “Lithuanian Shorts”, which is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The project is supported by the Lithuanian Film Centre, the Audiovisual Works Copyright Association AVAKA, and Vilnius City Municipality. Associated partners include the Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS, the Riga International Film Festival, and PÖFF Shorts (Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival). Other partners include the Creative Europe MEDIA Desks in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia, the Italian Short Film Centre, the Zagreb Film Festival, and the Vilnius Film Office.