After a year-long break, Baltic Shorts Residency returns to a new location and announces selected participants

The only short film script development residency in the Baltics, “Baltic Shorts Residency,” has announced the participants of its seventh season and a new residency location. From May 18 to June 4, screenwriters from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will reside and develop their latest film scripts at Trakų Vokė Manor in Vilnius. This year, more than 50 applications were submitted, and the selected participants are film directors Agnė Girsaitė (Lithuania), Marija Stefānija Linuža (Latvia), and Nataliia Domini (Estonia).

“Baltic Shorts Residency” is a two-and-a-half-week residency for filmmakers aimed at strengthening the screenwriting skills of Baltic short film creators and encouraging the development of collaborative projects. During the program, three selected directors or screenwriters will develop the scripts for their latest films in consultation with screenwriting expert Anna Ciennik (France). Ciennik has worked with internationally significant film industry programs and events such as La Résidence du Festival de Cannes, Locarno Residency, TorinoFilmLab, and European Short Pitch.

This year, the residency will take place at Trakų Vokė Manor, which is launching a new direction of activities. The manor is considered one of the most impressive architectural ensembles in the Vilnius region. Today, Trakų Vokė Manor functions as an active cultural center whose mission is to preserve, nurture, and revitalize the manor’s heritage by meaningfully integrating it into contemporary cultural life. The manor is also appreciated by filmmakers — historical films and TV series have been shot there, meaning the residency participants will create in an environment that has already become part of visual storytelling. “Baltic Shorts Residency” will become the first program to bring filmmakers together for screenwriting in this historic location.

The Vilnius City Municipality welcomes the investment in Trakų Vokė Manor, which this year will become an international filmmakers’ residency for three weeks for the first time. According to the municipality, hosting “Baltic Shorts Residency” in this historic space will significantly contribute to strengthening Vilnius’ cultural vitality, fostering the growth of creative industries, and activating historical heritage within the context of contemporary culture.

Representing Lithuania in the seventh season of “Baltic Shorts Residency” is director Agnė Girsaitė, who will develop the script for her new fiction film Everyday, Everywhere. The story follows a woman who witnesses a disturbing incident through a train window. The film employs thriller elements such as uncertainty and rapid decision-making in critical situations, while centering on a woman’s experience between reality and internal emotion. Agnė Girsaitė is a Lithuanian film director and screenwriter who graduated in 2024 from the National Film School KIMO at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre with a degree in video directing. Her bachelor graduation film Closeout (“Ką seniai užmiršau”) premiered at the 62nd Gijón International Film Festival and was screened at other European film festivals. Agnė also works in film education and is a coordinator at the Youngblood Film School, where she mainly works with teenagers taking their first steps in filmmaking.

Representing Latvia this year is Marija Stefānija Linuža, who will develop the script for the fiction short film Hag Eyes. The film portrays the world through a child’s eyes, where overheard stories about witches become a source of attention and imagination, connecting reality with fantasy. Marija Stefānija Linuža studied film directing at the Italian documentary film school ZeLIG School for Documentary, Television and New Media. Their debut film AMA OSA received a special mention at the Filmmaker Festival and was screened at festivals in Italy and Germany, including DOK.fest München. After eight years abroad, Marija returned to Latvia and is currently developing the hybrid short film I Am, which will use home movie archives from the Baltic states to explore emotional heritage passed down through generations of women.

The third participant representing Estonia is Ukrainian-born director Nataliia Domini, who will develop the animated short film Nocturnal Theatre of Being Seen. The project explores shame, social roles in society, and the absurd efforts involved in being human in public spaces. The film combines surreal humor, bodily vulnerability, and dream logic. Nataliia Domini describes herself as a multidisciplinary artist and animation director working in animation, illustration, and autobiographical fiction. Initially, Nataliia studied philosophy and psychology, but during the COVID-19 pandemic she turned to animation out of curiosity, which soon became her professional path. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she relocated and completed a master’s degree in animation at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Her graduation film ˌaɪs ˈkriːm, aɪ skriːm has been screened at international festivals including PÖFF Shorts, Primanima Animation Festival, Anifilm, Sottodiciotto Film Festival, and the Melbourne International Animation Festival.

“Baltic Shorts Residency” is organized by the Lithuanian short film agency Lithuanian Shorts, whose activities are partially funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The project is partially funded by the Vilnius City Municipality. Partners include Trakų Vokė Manor, the short film section PÖFF Shorts of the Black Nights Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival, 2ANNAS International Short Film Festival, and the Latvian Short Film Agency.

Contact Person

Ieva Daugialaitė
Digital Communications Coordinator
Lithuanian Shorts
media@filmshorts.lt