The Baltic Women in Film Mentorship program, the only mentorship initiative for women in the film and audiovisual industries in the Baltic region, has opened applications for its sixth season. The program invites emerging female professionals in the film and audiovisual sector to deepen their professional knowledge, expand their skills and build new professional connections that can help them develop new film and audiovisual projects. The new season will run from October 2026 to April 2027, and applications are open until August 9. The program is organized by the Lithuanian short film agency “Lithuanian Shorts”.
Returning for its sixth season, the Baltic Women in Film Mentorship Program is designed for young women from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia who are taking their first steps in the audiovisual industries. Continuing its commitment to supporting women professionals across the region, the program also welcomes participants from Ukraine. The program aims to strengthen the network of professional women in the Baltic film and audiovisual industries, promote gender equality, encourage the exchange of experience, knowledge, and professional contacts, and foster interest in the Baltic cinema.
Women under the age of 30 from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine are eligible to participate in this knowledge and experience-sharing program. One of the main selection criteria is applicants’ motivation to develop their skills or pursue a new career path, as well as their willingness to actively engage with their assigned mentor.
Over the past five seasons, the program has built an inspiring community of women working across the Baltic audiovisual industries. Participants and mentors have formed lasting professional relationships, successfully developed film projects, and strengthened networks of collaboration among women in the field. Lithuanian producer Milda Buškevičiūtė and director Vesta Tučkutė, who met during the program’s second season, have since gained recognition in the Lithuanian film industry. Together, they developed and produced the short film “Loving”. Both filmmakers recall that the mentorship program served as an important catalyst for young women entering the industry, providing a space where not only professional connections but also long-term creative partnerships could flourish.
“At the time, I didn’t see many similar initiatives in Lithuania. This program was aimed at women who were just starting out or still hesitantly entering the film industry. It also connected the Baltic countries and naturally encouraged the development of international networks,” recalls producer Milda Buškevičiūtė.
The seven-month program will begin in October. Participants will be paired with experienced Baltic audiovisual professionals based on their professional field and the goals outlined in their applications. Throughout the program, they will take part in meetings with mentors and fellow mentees, as well as seminars and workshops covering topics such as mental health, leadership, personal branding, and more. They will also attend industry events at the Riga International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the Vilnius Short Film Festival. In addition, each participant will receive a one-year membership in the European Women’s Audiovisual Network (EWA), based in Belgium.
The Baltic Women in Film Mentorship program is organized by “Lithuanian Shorts” in partnership with Women in Film & Television Lithuania, Riga International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Vilnius Short Film Festival and European Women’s Audiovisual Network. The program is supported by the Lithuanian Council of Culture and the Audiovisual Works Copyright Association AVAKA.
