Why are Lithuanian and international directors and producers increasingly choosing Kaunas to bring their creative ideas and ambitions to life?
From the Old Town, rich with Gothic and Renaissance details and Baroque masterpieces, to the UNESCO-protected modernist architecture of the Centre and Žaliakalnis, and 21st-century structures, the relatively small city of Kaunas boasts an impressive array of architectural layers.
For instance, the creators of the renowned HBO series Chernobyl utilised interwar and Tsarist-era buildings and recreated the Pripyat landscape. The Emmy-nominated television production Tokyo Trial found its ideal setting in the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, a gem of modernist architecture.
"Chernobyl" bridge, photo by. A.Silkinis
Tokyo Trial, photo by A. Bulota
An exceptional Baroque jewel, the Pažaislis Monastery complex in Kaunas, was recognised as the Best European Film Location in 2020. This prestigious award was bestowed upon the location and the Kaunas IN Film Office for their outstanding contribution to the HBO and Sky mini-series Catherine the Great (2019), parts of which were filmed in this 17th-century Baroque monastery. Just recently, Austrian film professionals completed shooting scenes there for a series about Mozart’s sister.
Catherine the Great, photo by Hal Shinnie, Sky HBO
Among the latest cinematic news from Kaunas is the transformation of the postmodern M. Žilinskas Art Gallery into a Swedish government crisis management centre.
Lithuanian filmmakers also choose to shoot their new films here. Saulė Bliuvaitė, director of the Locarno Film Festival award-winning film Toxic, filmed part of her scenes in her hometown. Currently, the film Barracuda, depicting events from Kaunas in the past decades, is also in production.
World-renowned filmmakers value Kaunas for its untapped perspectives and the potential to recreate the atmosphere of various cities, as well as for its compactness. Despite the multitude of architectural styles, navigating Kaunas is easy, without wasting time in traffic jams, and the distance between filming locations and other important sites is typically very short. Furthermore, the Kaunas IN Film Office, established specifically to facilitate smooth filming for Lithuanian and international filmmakers, assists companies in quickly and efficiently handling bureaucratic matters, obtaining necessary permits, and more.
Announcements informing residents and businesses about nearby filming are no longer a surprise to Kaunas residents. On the contrary – upon seeing film crew trailers or period-specific vehicles and costumes, they become curious and are delighted that Kaunas will once again feature on television or cinema screens. New film projects are also generally welcomed by the city’s hotels and restaurants.
“Kaunas’s businesses and residents are generally flexible – its businesses and residents react positively, often with curiosity or even pride that their city is becoming a film set. Of course, there are still instances where more explanation or sensitive cooperation is needed, especially when filming takes place in public spaces or causes temporary inconveniences. However, such situations are rare exceptions. The majority of Kaunas’s businesses understand the value of cinema to the city and willingly participate in the creative process,” states Edgaras Šilkauskas, Head of Kaunas IN Film Office.
Kaunas IN Film Office, E. Šilkauskas
Both Lithuanian and international filmmakers often choose to work with local industry professionals. From catering and make-up to art direction and supporting actors, our country cultivates excellent professionals whose talent and dedication rival that of their international colleagues.
According to Swedish producer Piodor Gustafsson, who has visited Kaunas multiple times and worked on projects such as the series Moscow Noir, the entire technical production team for the recently filmed series We Come In Peace was essentially Lithuanian, as the level of film crew professionals is exceptionally high, and the working conditions here are favourable for filming.
„We Come In Peace“, photo by Aurelijus Silkinis,
Indeed, Lithuanian legislation offers more flexible conditions than, for example, Scandinavia. Additionally, a corporate income tax incentive for film production is in effect until 2029, creating favourable conditions for film production in Lithuania for both domestic and foreign producers. Local authorities also view cinema as an important branch of the creative industries.
Kaunas is not just a location, but a reliable partner for filmmakers. “There are no clear geographical patterns indicating which countries choose Kaunas for filming more often – the projects are diverse. However, it is known, for example, that Scandinavian creators have a fondness for Lithuania and particularly trust our professional film crews. In recent years, Kaunas has hosted American, German, and Swedish film crews, which shows that Kaunas is of interest to very different countries. We are willing and prepared to work with everyone,” says E. Šilkauskas, presenting the future prospects for cinema in Kaunas.
According to him, the doors of the Kaunas IN Film Office are always open to creators of commercials, documentaries, series, and films from all over the world – Kaunas offers all the necessary elements to create an outstanding product, including its architecture, the city’s compactness, and the supportive attitude of the government, businesses, and residents.
„Clark", photo by Eric Broms, Nikola Predovic
Lukas Šalna, filming „Truth and Conviction"
Lukas Šalna, „Truth and Conviction"
