7th Edition of Baltic Shorts Residency Returns with Open Call for Short Film Scripts

The Baltic Shorts Residency – the only short film script development programme in the Baltic region – returns after a one-year break and invites film directors and scriptwriters to submit their latest short film projects. Following six successful editions, the Residency has established itself as a key platform in the region for strengthening script quality and preparing projects for international audiences. The 7th edition will take place from May 18 to June 4 at a new location – Trakų Vokė Manor. Submissions are accepted until the 29th of March.

Each year, the Baltic Shorts Residency selects three filmmakers from each Baltic country to develop their short film scripts under the guidance of script consultant Anna Ciennik. With many years of experience as a scriptwriting expert, Anna Ciennik has worked with such significant international film industry events and programs as the Cannes Film Festival’s La Résidence du Festival de Cannes, the Locarno Film Festival’s “Locarno Residency” program, the international film training program “Torino Film Lab”, and the “European Short Pitch” program for the development of European short film projects. She also works on feature films as a co-writer or consultant.

This year, the Residency relocates to one of the most impressive architectural ensembles in the Vilnius region — Trakų Vokė Manor. Built between 1876 and 1880, the manor was home to the Tiškevičiai family until the Second World War. Today, it is a state-protected cultural heritage site of exceptional historical, architectural, and landscape value. The manor functions as an active cultural centre dedicated to preserving and revitalising its heritage through contemporary cultural initiatives. It hosts exhibitions, educational programmes, tours, concerts, and private events. The location is also popular with filmmakers shooting historical films and series, offering Residency participants the opportunity to create in a setting that has already become part of cinematic narratives.

The Baltic Shorts Residency remains the only short film scriptwriting residency in the Baltic region dedicated to strengthening screenwriting skills and enhancing filmmakers’ international visibility. The programme’s impact is reflected in the achievements of its alumni. Of the 16 projects developed during the Residency, 11 were selected for the Baltic Pitching Forum – the leading Baltic short film industry event – with five receiving its main awards. Seven projects have already been completed, and four have secured production funding.

Residency alumni continue to gain international recognition. In 2024, Lithuanian director Martynas Norvaišas presented his project Suez at the ShorTO Film Market following an invitation received at the Baltic Pitching Forum. Skin of a Mandarin by Jaanika Arum, developed during the 2020 edition of the Residency, premiered in the PÖFF Shorts programme of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Latvian director Tīna Zariņa premiered her short film Limo at the Riga International Film Festival, while The Trip by Jorūnė Greičiūtė was presented to Lithuanian audiences at Kino Pavasaris.

Eligible applicants are film directors and screenwriters who are citizens or residents of Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia and who have previously completed at least one short film. Applicants must be developing a new short film project in fiction, animation, or a hybrid form. Projects must be in the early stage of script development, have a maximum running time of 30 minutes, and be intended for an international audience. Participants selected for the Baltic Shorts Residency are required to submit their projects to the 14th edition of the Baltic Pitching Forum, which will take place in Vilnius in October.

The Baltic Shorts Residency is organised by Lithuanian Shorts with the support of the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The project is sponsored by the Vilnius City Municipality. Partners: Trakų Vokė Manor, PÖFF Shorts | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival, Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS and Latvian Short Film Agency.

Application deadline – 29th March. Register here.

The Residency’s regulations can be found here.

For more information, visit here.