AGP Executive Report

Screen Industry: Lithuania’s Baltic Pitching Forum named winners in Vilnius, with local animation projects Walks. I Love, Therefore I Am and Meat Jelly earning major opportunities on the European festival circuit. Film: Andrius Blazevicius’s How to Divorce During the War is among nine titles competing for the Golden Atlas at France’s Arras Film Festival. Visual Arts: The National Gallery of Art has opened an exhibition tracing architect Vladas Švipas’s journey from Lithuania to the Bauhaus and, later, New York. Television: Lithuanian production group Elitaz has launched Elitaz Originals, led by former Telia Play executive Vitalija Kibilde, to develop scripted and unscripted projects for international audiences. Vilnius on Screen: The BBC-ZDF Cold War drama Honey filmed in the capital, doubling Vilnius as East Berlin for the six-part series.

Short-Film Spotlight: Lithuanian animation Walks. I Love, Therefore I Am took three awards at the 14th Baltic Pitching Forum in Vilnius, while Meat Jelly earned a place at the 2027 Euro Connection forum in Clermont-Ferrand. New Lithuanian Art: The National Gallery of Art has opened an exhibition tracing Bauhaus-trained architect Vladas Švipas’s journey from Lithuania to New York. Screen Industry: Elitaz has launched Elitaz Originals, led by former Telia Play executive Vitalija Kibilde, to develop scripted and unscripted projects for international audiences. Vilnius on Screen: The BBC-ZDF Cold War drama Honey filmed in Vilnius, which stands in for East Berlin. Festival News: Andrius Blazevicius’s How to Divorce During the War is among nine films competing for the Golden Atlas at France’s Arras Film Festival.

Film Industry: Vilnius-hosted Baltic Pitching Forum named Lithuanian animation Meat Jelly among its winners, earning it a place at Clermont-Ferrand’s 2027 co-production forum. Two other Lithuanian and Estonian projects were invited to the ShorTO Film Market. Visual Arts: The National Gallery of Art opens an exhibition today on architect Vladas Švipas, tracing his journey from Lithuania’s interwar modernist scene to Bauhaus and New York, alongside a symposium on Bauhaus and the Baltics. Screen Production: Vilnius doubles as East Berlin in Honey, a BBC-ZDF Cold War spy drama filmed in the city and due later this year. Music and Theatre: Singer-songwriter Justinas Stanislovaitis releases “Leaves in the Wind” on October 12, a song from his post-apocalyptic music-theatre work Where the Sound Remained. TV Development: Former Telia Play executive Vitalija Kibilde will lead Elitaz Originals, a new division developing scripted and unscripted projects for international audiences.

Music Theatre: Lithuanian singer-songwriter Justinas Stanislovaitis will release “Leaves in the Wind” on Oct. 12, a song and video from his apocalyptic stage work about a musician’s worth without an audience. Cinema: Lithuania’s Competition Council has ordered MM Grupp to sell one of its Apollo cinemas after finding its acquisition of Forum Cinemas at Akropolis significantly strengthened its grip on Vilnius’s commercial cinema market. Film Industry: Vilnius is hosting the Baltic region’s largest short-film industry event, while Lithuania’s Cinema Agency is backing five international co-productions. Basketball: Zalgiris is among the European academies joining ATLAS, a new international high-school league; Rytas Vilnius also made the Basketball Champions League’s first Team of the Week after Gytis Radzevičius posted 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Cinema: Lithuania’s Competition Council has ordered MM Grupp to sell one of its Apollo cinemas after finding its acquisition of Forum Cinemas’ Akropolis site significantly reduced competition in Vilnius, where the group’s market share topped 50%. Exhibitions: The Pranas Domšaitis Gallery in Klaipėda opens Where the Summer Never Ends tonight, showing American photographer Andy Sweet’s images of Miami Beach in the 1960s and ’70s; the works include Lithuanian Holocaust survivors and have joined the museum’s permanent collection. Film Industry: Vilnius is hosting the Baltic region’s largest short-film industry event, while Lithuania’s Cinema Agency is backing five international co-productions. Live Music: A British-Lithuanian collaboration is bringing high-energy folk rock to audiences, blending musical roots across borders.

Photography: Klaipėda’s Pranas Domšaitis Gallery opens Where the Summer Never Ends on Oct. 8, featuring Andy Sweet’s photographs of 1960s and ’70s Miami Beach. The works include images of Lithuanian Holocaust survivors and have joined the Lithuanian National Museum of Art’s collection. Film & TV: Lithuania is represented among ten European projects selected for Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market. The Baltic region also features prominently on the festival circuit, with Latvian films heading to Warsaw and Tallinn Black Nights unveiling its competition line-ups. Music on Film: Emerging from the Shadows, a documentary about composers Weinberg and Korngold, will screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Oct. 18. It features the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra. Industry: Vilnius is hosting the Baltic region’s largest short-film industry event, bringing attention to the country’s film scene.

Film Industry: Vilnius is hosting the Baltic region’s largest short-film industry event, while Tallinn’s TV Beats market has selected projects from Lithuanian filmmakers for its 2026 lineup. Arts Policy: Lithuania is moving to ban performances by Russian and Belarusian artists who have performed in occupied Ukrainian territory; the proposal could reshape which acts can appear on local stages. Lithuanian Cinema Abroad: Director Eglė Vertelytė’s new project is among 16 European titles chosen for Warsaw’s Co-Production Forum. Music on Film: A documentary featuring the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra and works by composers Weinberg and Korngold has been selected for Newport Beach Film Festival. Vilnius Culture: AHA! Night on Oct. 8 invites audiences to explore art, music and more.

Lithuania-US Security: President Trump said he will “certainly look at” a permanent U.S. military base in Lithuania, while Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says Vilnius is ready to cover the costs—amid ongoing rotational deployments and renewed debate over deterrence. Nuclear Policy Shock: Lithuania’s parliament advanced plans to lift the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons, prompting Russia to warn this would be “another significant escalation,” with NATO chief Mark Rutte urging Moscow to stop nuclear threats. Baltic Arts & Screen Culture: Warsaw Co-Production Forum selected 16 European projects, including Lithuania’s Eglė Vertelytė, and Tallinn TV Beats unveiled its 2026 co-financing lineup with Baltic-focused drama. Music Documentary Spotlight: “Emerging from the Shadows: Rediscovering the Legacies of Weinberg & Korngold” was named an official selection for the Newport Beach Film Festival, with Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra featuring in the film. Sports Pop Culture: Harry Kane tied England’s record with his 125th cap in the Nations League, scoring again at Wembley—another headline moment for a player with a past England debut vs Lithuania.

Baltic Film Industry: The 14th Baltic Pitching Forum runs 6–9 October in Vilnius, bringing a record slate of international short-film industry guests (Italy as guest country) and pitching 12 projects to find co-production and distribution partners. Lithuanian Arts & Culture: Folk without borders gets a spotlight as British and Lithuanian roots musicians meet for high-energy folk rock, while Vilnius also hosts a growing wave of cultural programming like AHA! Night (Oct. 8). TV Drama Co-Production: Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market (Nov. 16–17) selects Lithuanian series “Fortel” (Darius Jabloński) among 10 projects competing for a €50,000 Council of Europe development award. Music Release: Bróna McVittie announces “Supernatural” (Oct. 16), translating Irish and European folklore into songs, including collaborations featuring Lithuanian vocalist/composer Jausmė. Sports & Local Spotlight: Žalgiris Kaunas guard Carsen Edwards faces police scrutiny after a reported Kaunas stop for intoxication; the club says it investigated and fined him. EU Policy for Arts: Lithuania’s EU Council presidency priorities include security and competitiveness, shaping the broader policy climate for culture and creative industries.

Vilnius Film Industry: The 14th Baltic Pitching Forum kicks off 6–9 October in Vilnius, bringing a record slate of international short-film industry guests and 12 short projects in development to pitch for new partners, with Italy as guest country. Kaunas Sports & Off-Court News: Žalgiris Kaunas guard Carsen Edwards was stopped in Kaunas with a reported blood alcohol level of 1.07‰; police confirmed the incident and the club says it investigated and fined him. Lithuanian Culture & Music: Bróna McVittie announces her album Supernatural (out Oct 16), translating Irish and European folklore tales into songs, with contributions including Lithuanian vocalist/composer Jausmė. Community & Inclusion: The Baltic Pitching Forum also signals a wider push for regional arts networking, while Cyprus’ Mitsikouri festival highlights international children’s theatre including a Lithuanian production Kuris Kuri. Travel & Lifestyle: A roundup spotlights fast airport-to-city transfers across Europe, including Malaga, for quick autumn breaks. Agriculture & Work: Lithuania’s farms increasingly rely on foreign workers as shortages grow, with farmers calling for fewer bureaucratic barriers.

Agriculture & Workforces: Lithuania’s farms are leaning more on foreign workers as local recruitment gets harder, with farmers urging faster, less bureaucratic rules for hiring abroad. Restructuring & Business: Amber Latvijas balzams, under court protection after a major tax debt, must agree a creditor protection plan by Oct. 5 and is already shifting some production to Lithuania to cut costs. Politics & Culture Funding: Brussels has moved closer to stripping the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) of its EU party status and funding after concerns over compliance with core EU values. Arts & Film: Lithuanian jury member Šarūnas Bartas helped judge Lucca Film Festival, where Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s “Master” won Best Feature Film. Performing Arts: Mitsikouri 2026 in Cyprus brings 14 children’s productions from 11 countries, including Lithuania’s “Kuris Kuri,” with a focus on accessible, limited-verbal work. Music & Live Dates: Cuneiform Records announced upcoming shows for artists including Rob Mazurek/Exploding Star Orchestra in Vilnius (Oct. 16–17). Sports (Lithuania on TV): UEFA Nations League coverage includes Lithuania vs. Azerbaijan (FS2).

Lithuania–Azerbaijan Football: Lithuania face Azerbaijan in UEFA Nations League action, with Azerbaijan coach Aykhan Abbasov pointing to physical readiness and Lithuania’s squad rotation ahead of the match. Vilnius Air Alert: A yellow alert in Vilnius County and Ukmergė sent NATO fighters into the sky after an unidentified object was detected; the alert was later lifted with officials saying it posed no threat. Border Migration: Lithuania detained 35 Afghan and Iraqi migrants after an alleged attempt to cross from Belarus; most were barred from entering and returned, with one transferred for health checks. Cultural Spotlight: Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s “Master” won Best Feature Film at the Lucca Film Festival, praised for its local story and wider critique of representative democracy. Fashion & Science: A wellness “fabric vibration” claim is challenged by a report on real research into how certain textiles can convert pressure waves into measurable effects. Church Accountability: Lithuanian bishops announced an investigation into crimes against minors and vulnerable adults in the Church since 1990, prioritizing victims over reputation.

Kaliningrad Tensions: Russia renewed nuclear warnings over its Baltic exclave, with Vladimir Putin saying Moscow could use “all weapons” if Kaliningrad faces direct attack, keeping the Suwałki Gap in the spotlight. Vilnius Air Alert: An unidentified object triggered a yellow alert for Vilnius County and Ukmergė, NATO jets scrambled, and Vilnius airport airspace briefly closed before officials lifted the alert, suggesting possibilities like birds. Border Pressure: Lithuania detained 35 Afghan and Iraqi migrants after an alleged illegal crossing from Belarus; most were barred from entering and returned. Religious Climate: President Gitanas Nausėda warned that recurring anti-Muslim incidents in Lithuania may be organized rather than random, citing Quran burning in Vilnius and disruptions near a Kaunas mosque. Church Accountability: The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference announced an investigation into crimes against minors and vulnerable adults committed by the Church since 1990. Arts & Culture: Cuneiform Records listed upcoming performances including a Vilnius stop by Rob Mazurek / Exploding Star Orchestra, while AHA! Night Oct. 8 highlights free local art and music events. Sports TV: UEFA Nations League coverage includes Lithuania’s match, plus a full Sunday sports schedule.

Vilnius Air Alert: A suspected unidentified object triggered a yellow alert over Vilnius County and Ukmergė, briefly closing Vilnius Airport and scrambling NATO jets before officials lifted the alert, with reports suggesting it may have come from Belarus (possibly even birds). Border & Migration: Lithuania detained 35 Afghan and Iraqi migrants after an alleged illegal crossing near the Belarus border; 29 were barred from entering and returned to Belarus while checks continued for the rest. Security & Tech: Lithuania is piloting a Ukrainian SkyFortress acoustic drone-detection system, adapting AI-based sensors to strengthen the air-defense chain. Culture & Music: Cuneiform Records announced new live dates for Vilnius, including Rob Mazurek/Exploding Star Orchestra (Oct 16–17) and a broader Oct–Nov run across Europe. Arts & Community: A feature on Vilnius “bee tourism” highlights Urbanbee’s city-centre hives and the growing buzz around honey as a local brand. Church Accountability: Lithuania’s bishops announced an investigation into crimes against minors and vulnerable adults in the Catholic Church since 1990. Sports Debate: NBA legend Gilbert Arenas and DeMarcus Cousins pushed back on Nikola Jokic’s EuroLeague comments, sparking a wider US-vs-Europe basketball argument.

Religious Tensions: President Gitanas Nausėda warned that recurring anti-Muslim incidents in Lithuania may be orchestrated, pointing to a Quran burning in Vilnius and disruptions of prayers near a Kaunas mosque. Security & Defense Tech: Lithuania is testing a pilot version of Ukraine’s SkyFortress drone-detection system, using acoustic and radio signals plus AI to strengthen air-defense monitoring. Hybrid Threats: New reporting links a Russian GRU-linked suspect to a failed sabotage attempt at Leipzig/Halle Airport, with Lithuanian and Polish intelligence documents cited. Nuclear Brinkmanship: Putin renewed threats over Kaliningrad, saying Russia could use “all weapons” if the exclave is directly attacked, keeping the Suwałki Gap in focus. Church Accountability: Lithuanian bishops announced an investigation into crimes against minors and vulnerable adults in the Church since 1990. Arts & Culture: The Tallinn International Horse Show opens with a fashion-meets-equestrian “DRESS the CODE” segment, blending performance and style for a weekend audience.

Church Accountability: The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference says it will investigate crimes against minors and vulnerable adults committed within the Church since 11 March 1990, following a major Vilnius case involving priest Tadas Švedavičius. Security & Arts-Adjacent News: Lithuania is testing Ukraine’s SkyFortress drone-detection system, using acoustic and radio signals plus AI to track low-flying threats. Vilnius Cultural Memory: A memorial plaque is set for installation on the grave of the former secretary of the Vilna Belarusian Gymnasium. Transatlantic Defence: President Gitanas Nausėda thanked Donald Trump for sending US troops to Lithuania and highlighted LNG and defence cooperation. Hybrid Threats: A joint investigation links a Russian biker to a GRU-linked attempted sabotage at Leipzig Airport, with Lithuanian and Polish intelligence reportedly involved. Music/Metal: Finnish modern metal band Atlas released the single “Bittersleep,” marking a new chapter after 2026 album “Sunder.” Sports on TV: Listings cover Oct. 3–4 broadcasts, including major football and motorsport schedules.