On 24 September, Vilnius City Council gave the green light for the creation of the Vilnius Film Fund, marking the launch of Lithuania’s first-ever city film fund. The initiative aims to strengthen Vilnius’s profile as an attractive shooting location and a film-friendly city while contributing to economic growth and international visibility.

Over 90% of the country’s film industry is concentrated in the capital, which has also become a frequent host for foreign productions. The newly created fund will support projects that not only highlight Vilnius on screen, but which also generate financial benefits for the city, enhance its international reach and engage local professionals.

“We are pleased to be taking another major step in promoting the image of Vilnius as a creative, open and film-friendly city. The Lithuanian capital has been supporting film education, film academy activities, major film festivals and projects for some time now. The Vilnius Film Fund perfectly complements the existing film-funding model and becomes a platform to attract new ideas and strengthen the city’s cultural identity through film production projects,” commented Simona Bieliūnė, vice-mayor of Vilnius City Municipality.

Ahead of its launch, the Vilnius Film Office studied regional funds across Europe and beyond, adapting several key practices to the Lithuanian context. “Regional film funds are a common international practice. Most European countries have such funds – Germany, France, the UK, Scandinavian countries, as well as neighbouring Poland, Latvia and Estonia. This is an opportunity to support local creatives, promote international cooperation and increase the city’s visibility in the film industry context, while attracting new projects and funding,” explained Jūratė Pazikaitė, head of Vilnius Film Office.

The fund will support the production of documentaries, animated works, and feature-length co-productions between Lithuanian and international filmmakers. By prioritising co-productions, Vilnius aims to position itself as a regional hub, facilitating collaboration and exchange between local and foreign creatives.

“The establishment of the Vilnius Film Fund carries significance on several fronts. A strong emphasis will be placed on co-productions, as they open the door for collaboration between Lithuanian and international filmmakers. This not only helps attract new projects and funding, but also strengthens Vilnius’s position as a regional hub in the film industry,” Pazikaitė added. “Equally important are the criteria that highlight how the city itself is represented and engaged in productions. Particular attention will be paid to projects that enhance Vilnius’s role within the storyline, also taking into consideration the involvement of local creators and film professionals, as well as the overall economic impact on the city. Such aspects are essential in boosting Vilnius’s visibility and promoting long-term economic growth.”

The Vilnius Film Fund has been allocated an initial budget of €100,000, with individual projects eligible to receive up to €30,000. The first films supported by the scheme are expected to be announced later this year.