Established in 2003
One of the oldest-running film festivals in Lithuania
About us
European Film Festival SCANORAMA
The largest and most prominent international film and cultural event of the autumn season, annually bringing together more than 40,000 cinema lovers. Every November, we present a carefully curated selection of European films alongside critically acclaimed works from across the globe.
High Artistic Quality and the Voice of European Cinema
The main criterion behind the SCANORAMA programme selection is high artistic value. Films shaping new trends in European cinema are presented in specially curated programme sections, allowing audiences to explore the cinematic fields that interest them most in greater depth. The festival’s distinctive identity is recognised and appreciated both by Lithuanian film industry professionals and international experts alike. Each year, the European Festivals Association awards SCANORAMA the prestigious “EFFE Label” quality mark.
Mission: Education and the Cultivation of Film Culture
From its very beginning, SCANORAMA has been grounded in the values of European cinema, emphasising the close relationship between Nordic and Baltic cultural dimensions while thoughtfully expanding its broader European context. The competitive short film programme (formerly “New Baltic Cinema”) outlines the future contours of European cinema, while the programme section “Think What You Want” opens pathways toward new forms of cinematic language. Carefully curated retrospectives complement the contemporary programme and foster a deep appreciation for film history.
10 cities across Lithuania
Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Alytus, Panevėžys, Marijampolė, Visaginas, Vilkaviškis, Gargždai
Culture & education
Film education events for beginners & professionals: masterclasses, co-production forums, project presentations and discussions with filmmakers
100 titles each year
We present a rich program from across Europe as well as the best-pics from other continents
Institutional sponsor
Institutional sponsor
Festival Network “Moving Images – Open Borders”
In 2017, SCANORAMA, together with six other European film festivals, founded the collaborative network “Moving Images – Open Borders”. The festivals that joined the network share a strong focus on European cinema, fostering its artistic value and celebrating regional diversity and cultural distinctiveness.
SCANORAMA SUMMER
SCANORAMA SUMMER is a satellite event of SCANORAMA, bringing the traditions and latest discoveries of European cinema to regions across Lithuania. Rather than offering individual film screenings, SCANORAMA SUMMER creates small-scale festivals in different cities throughout the country.
Film screenings, introductions, discussions, lectures, masterclasses, unexpected venues, and beloved urban spaces brought back to life — every summer, audiences are invited to experience a true holiday in the rhythm of European cinema.
Scanorama Directions
“SCA Directions” is the film industry programme developed by the European film festival SCANORAMA, dedicated to film professionals, emerging creators, and everyone seeking a deeper understanding of contemporary filmmaking, distribution, and the inner workings of the film industry.
“SCA Directions” serves as a platform for knowledge, experience, and dialogue, connecting Lithuanian and international film communities. The programme focuses on key issues shaping today’s film industry: creative processes, financing, distribution, international circulation, technological change, the challenges of authorship, and professional identity within a global context.
The International Feature Film Competition
Since 2022, the European Film Forum SCANORAMA has organised a feature film competition showcasing works that reflect important and distinctive developments in contemporary European cinema. The programme brings together bold films with original cinematic styles, created by directors whose artistic journeys are only beginning, yet already marked by a strong authorial voice.
Main goals:
To create a space of visibility and meaningful recognition for filmmakers and their works that have not yet received awards at major international film festivals.
Short Film Competition
An international short film competition programme dedicated to emerging filmmakers who have not yet debuted in feature-length cinema, bringing together new cinematic voices from across Europe.
Goal:
Help young talent from European countries to find their audience and finance their next project.
Independent, but not alone
Partner with us
Share our love for cinema? We have a click! Let's talk and see how we can help each other.
Become a SCANORAMA Ambassador
Recommend films, share festival content, and help quality cinema reach wider audiences
Book a film screening for your organisation
We offer film screenings for companies, institutions, and communities — with optional discussions or curated introductions
Become a volunteer
Interested in film and want to apply your amazing skills? Hop on-board!
Festival Founder and Director
Gražina Arlickaitė is the founder and artistic director of Scanorama, a festival dedicated to European cinema. She holds a doctorate in the humanities and is an associate professor. She is also a member of the European Film Academy and the Council of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
After studying Lithuanian philology at Vilnius University, she completed a dissertation in film studies at the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow. Her qualification was formally recognised by the Research Council of Lithuania in 1993.
Arlickaitė has shaped the programmes of several international film festivals in Lithuania. She was artistic director of Kino pavasaris from 1998 to 2002, Tinklai from 2000 to 2001, and Vilniaus pavasaris from 2003 to 2004. She chaired the selection committee for the Silver Crane Lithuanian Film and Television Awards from 2008 to 2018. In 2010, she helped establish the Lithuanian Film Academy and went on to chair its council for a decade.
Her work extends well beyond festival programming. Dr Arlickaitė has published widely on cinema in Lithuania and abroad, spoken at international conferences, produced publications for the audiovisual industry, and led masterclasses for film professionals. She has served on numerous international festival juries and curated programmes of Lithuanian films for leading European film festivals.
Awards
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
Officer’s Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for distinguished service to Norway (2014).
The Polish Gold Cross of Merit
“For Merits” (2015)
The Royal Order of Sweden
(2016 m.)
Lietuvos valstybinis apdovanojimas ordino medalis
„Už nuopelnus Lietuvai“ (2015 m.)
Lietuvos Vyriausybės kultūros ir meno premija
(2016 m.)
Aukščiausias Kultūros ministerijos apdovanojimas
Garbės ženklas „Nešk savo šviesą ir tikėk“ (2024 m.)
Speciali „Auksinės gervės“ statulėlė
Nacionalinių kino apdovanojimų „Sidabrinė gervė“ speciali „Auksinės gervės“ statulėlė už viso gyvenimo nuopelnus (2025 m.)
Šv. Kristoforo statulėlė už nuopelnus kultūrai
(2026 m.)
