Vilnius Emerges As Europe’s Must-Visit Film Destination After Sundance Success With How To Divorce During The War

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, discover Vilnius, where the Sundance Directing Award-winning How To Divorce During The War adds to the Lithuanian city’s impressive resume, making it a must-visit destination for cinephiles and travelers alike.

Vilnius continues to solidify its position as a premier European filming hub and an appealing spot for film lovers, with the recent Directing Award win at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival for the film How To Divorce During The War, adding fresh momentum to the Lithuanian capital’s growing cinematic reputation.

Sundance Recognition Boosts Vilnius Film Scene

The darkly comedic drama How to Divorce During the War, directed by Andrius Blaževičius, earned the Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic at Sundance. Set in Vilnius during the early months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the film highlights the city’s transformation in 2022 and its role as a vivid backdrop for stories blending personal drama with geopolitical tension.

Already a favored location for major international productions from HBO, Netflix, and the BBC, Vilnius has hosted acclaimed projects such as the HBO miniseries Chernobyl, Netflix’s Stranger Things, and the German historical drama Sisi. The Sundance accolade for this locally supported feature further elevates the city’s profile as a dynamic film ecosystem capable of nurturing internationally recognized stories.

Why Vilnius Served as the Ideal Setting for a Timely Story

How to Divorce During the War centers on Marija, a high-achieving executive who begins divorce proceedings with her husband the day before the invasion begins. As the couple grapples with their failing marriage and personal privileges, the conflict unfolding nearby forces them to confront moral questions amid everyday life disrupted by war.

The narrative captures the nuanced experiences of ordinary Europeans during the initial phase of the Ukraine invasion. Director Andrius Blaževičius selected Vilnius because it authentically reflected that specific historical moment: a capital city absorbing thousands of refugees, displaying Ukrainian flags prominently, and maintaining a striking contrast between routine urban life and the visible impacts of crisis. Many of those visual elements from early 2022 remained in place during filming years later, allowing the production to blend documentary-style realism with fiction.

Principal photography took place across the UNESCO-listed Old Town and the suburb of Antaviliai, showcasing the city’s diverse architecture and atmosphere.

Vilnius as a Versatile Filming Hub for Global Productions

Vilnius has earned a reputation as a “chameleon” city thanks to its wide range of architectural styles—from baroque and renaissance elements in the historic center to socialist modernist buildings in suburban districts. This versatility has enabled it to stand in for locations worldwide, including 1980s Ukraine in Chernobyl, Cold War-era Siberia in Stranger Things, and 19th-century Vienna in Sisi.

In 2025, the city hosted a broad spectrum of genres, from historical dramas and children’s films to crime series, sci-fi, and action thrillers. Filmmakers frequently utilize not only the Old Town and modernist neighborhoods but also green spaces with parks and lakes, the historic Lukiškės prison (now a cultural center), and the trendy post-industrial New Town area.

The establishment of the Vilnius Film Fund in 2025, administered by the Vilnius Film Office, marks a significant step in supporting international co-productions. This initiative provides targeted funding and resources, reinforcing a collaborative environment that brings together local and global talent, producers, and crews.

A Real-World Connection to the Film’s Themes

Beyond its production capabilities, Vilnius holds a genuine link to the Ukraine conflict explored in the movie. In the first year of the invasion, the city welcomed around 19,000 refugees, with many residents opening their homes to those fleeing the war. This context adds depth to the film’s meditation on privilege, empathy, and societal responses during turbulent times.

Critics have highlighted the film’s intelligent script and strong performances, praising its subtle irony and memorable sequences depicting relationship breakdowns.

Film Tourism: Walk in the Footsteps of Your Favorite Productions

For film enthusiasts, Vilnius offers a unique opportunity to explore real-life locations from beloved series and films. The Vilnius Film Office has developed a range of tours highlighting iconic sites, including:

• Lukiškės Prison: A former 19th-century facility turned cultural hub, featured in Stranger Things and the Netflix series Clark.
• Fabijoniškės and Šeškinė districts: 1960s socialist modernist areas that doubled as locations in Chernobyl and other productions, such as standing in for Malmö in Young Wallander.
• The Philharmonic building: Used for striking scenes in Sisi.

The city’s adaptability has allowed it to portray everything from Rome and Berlin to Washington, Vienna, and Stockholm on screen.

Practical Tips for Visiting Vilnius

Vilnius is conveniently accessible, with direct flights from several UK airports including London Stansted, London City, and London Luton, as well as from Dublin. Excellent transport connections to nearby capitals like Riga and Tallinn, plus easy links to Poland, make it an ideal base for broader Baltic or regional explorations.

Whether you’re drawn by its film heritage, rich history, or vibrant cultural scene, the Lithuanian capital delivers an engaging experience that bridges on-screen stories with real-world discovery.

Go Vilnius serves as the official tourism and business development agency for the city, offering comprehensive resources for visitors and professionals alike. The Vilnius Film Office acts as a dedicated partner for filmmakers, assisting with logistics and helping realize creative projects in the capital.

Find more from Go Vilnius now:

Go Vilnius | the Official Development Agency of the City of Vilnius: www.govilnius.lt