Vilnius’s “Kino Pavasaris” (Cinema Spring) film festival wrapped up Sunday evening with a glittering awards ceremony and a celebration of cinematic talent. The festival culminated in the announcement of winners across various competition categories, as well as the audience’s favorite film.
The top prize in the festival’s competitive program went to Louise Hémon’s debut feature film, “The Girl in the Snow.” Hémon, known for her work in documentary filmmaking, delivers a compelling narrative inspired by her own family history. The film has been praised for its unique blend of historical drama and folklore horror, drawing comparisons to recent works like “Vermilion” and Robert Eggers’ “The Witch.”
Festival Director Algirdas Ramaška expressed his gratitude to attendees, stating, “Thank you to everyone who, as every year, returned to the festival, because it feels like home here. Congratulations likewise to those who visited for the first time – I believe you now know why we preserve coming back for the feeling. The festival has always been about warmth. About a feeling that we have nurtured – quietly, patiently, working hard – so that we could share it with you.” He continued, “And I have no doubt – you took that, brought it home, shared it with loved ones. And perhaps the world has become a little brighter, a little more beautiful, a little better because of it.”
The awards ceremony, held on March 22, 2026, featured statuettes created by artist Vilimas Dringelis. This year’s competition showcased 8 films, judged by an international jury comprised of director and screenwriter Titas Laucius, writer, director, and producer Shih-Ching Tsou, film programmer and distributor Carmen Thompson, writer and journalist Iana Murray, and sales agent Hélène Espeisse from the international film distribution company “Charades.”
“The Girl in the Snow” is set in 1899, following Aimée as she arrives in a remote Alpine village to teach the local children. The film explores the clash between modern ideas and traditional ways of life, and how that conflict escalates into something darker. According to a program note by Karolis Žukas, the film “speaks about the ‘danger’ that educated and free women were said to pose in the dawn of modernity.”
The festival also recognized audience favorites and celebrated the future of auteur cinema. The event drew a crowd of prominent figures from the Lithuanian film industry and beyond, marking another successful year for “Kino Pavasaris.” The festival is already looking ahead to its 32nd edition.
You can identify more information about “The Girl in the Snow” on the Kino Pavasaris website.
