Lithuanian director Andrius Blaževičius wins best director award at Sundance film festival
At the Sundance Film Festival, Andrius Blaževičius won the Best Director award for his latest film How to Divorce During the War (Lithuanian: Skyrybos karo metu). The film was selected for the festival from over 16,000 submissions worldwide and competed against nine other films in the official competition programme.
Announcing Blaževičius as the Best Director in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, the Sundance jury honoured him "for his exceptional talent and confident direction in a darkly comic film about life in a time of war." According to the jury, he subtly revealed the inner contradictions that haunt us all while maintaining the profound humanity of his characters.
"I still find it hard to believe," said director Andrius Blaževičius. "Getting into this festival is a massive recognition and achievement in itself. We saw the caliber of films we were competing with in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition and were simply happy to be in such company. To receive an award is a huge honour. I want to thank the entire crew for this journey – this award belongs to all of them."
"We couldn't have asked for a better international premiere," said producer Marija Razgutė (M-Films). "Lithuanian cinema has once again proven how sharp, mature, and universal it is. This Sundance award is a landmark event not only for our film industry but for Lithuania as a nation. It serves as a reminder of how powerful a tool culture can be. We must continue to cherish and support it."
Set in Vilnius in 2022, How to Divorce During the War follows Marija, an ambitious high-level executive who chooses the worst possible moment to ask her husband for a divorce – the day before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The couple is forced to navigate their separation while juggling two simultaneous crises: the refugee crisis and a mid-life crisis.
The leading roles are performed by Marius Repšys and European Shooting Star award recipient Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė. The film was produced by M-Films and financed in Lithuania by the Lithuanian Film Centre, the Vilnius Film Fund and LRT. It was created as an international co-production with Luxembourg, Ireland and the Czech Republic.
Prepared according to press release by the Lithuanian Film Centre and M-Films
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / BNS
Last updated: 06-03-2026