The best Lithuanian cinematographers were evaluated in the “Ažuolo 2024” awards

On May 10, the Association of Lithuanian Cinematographers awarded the best cinematographers of Lithuanian films. The community of cinematographers came to the “Meno Avilios” Cinematheque very warmly for each nominee and awardee. Laureates received statuettes designed by Marius Skudžinskas. The main prize in the “Aak” category was won by Julius Sičiūnas for his work in the film “Per arti” directed by Austėja Urbaitė, and the “Gilė” prize for young cinematographers went to Milda Juodvalkyta for the film “Hubble’s Law” directed by Arnas Balčiūnas, and four other traditional have already become awards.

The commission that selected the winners and nominees consisted of its chairman, cameraman Saulius Lukoševičius (LAC) and members: cinematographers Vitalijus Kiselius, Zbigniev Bartoševičius (LAC), film director Jurgis Matulevičius and film critic Monika Gimbutaitė.

This year – unlike before – the commission presented four nominees for the “Ažuolo” award instead of three. Competing with Julius Sičiūnas for the prize were his students Laurynas Bareiša (“You don’t remind me of anything”, directed by Marija Kavtaradze) and Vytautas Plukas (“Poet”, directed by Giedrius Tamoševičius, Vytautas V. Landsbergis) and cameraman from Poland Jacek Podgórski (“Ninth step”, directed by Irma Pužauskaitė).

“If we still had to discuss the nominations, then when it was the turn of the winner – here we all unanimously agreed. We noticed the growth of cameraman Julius Sičiūnas in his professional path. The light, the work with shadows, the movement of the camera and the choice of compositions show his high level of mastery and immersion in the story being told,” says commission chairman Saulius Lukoševičius.

The award was presented to Julius Sičiūnas by Laura Aliukonytė, the chairperson of the Association of Lithuanian Cinematographers, who admitted that Julius Sičiūnas was one of her first teachers, with whom she always observed his decisions and choices while working, and Darius Vaitiekūnas, director of the Copyright Association of Audiovisual Works AVAKA, who was pleased with the exceptional unity of cinematographers.

The “Gilė” award was presented to LMTA student Milda Juodvalkyta by the young cameraman Nojus Drąsutis, who won it last year, who admitted that he had to attend the screenings of all third-year students and was impressed by how sensitively and professionally all the works of that course were filmed, especially the three nominees.

Milda Juodvalkytė competed for the prize with Dominika Pieczulis (film “When I Was a Malalietka”, directed by Severina Vaičiūnaitė) and Mata Juškaitė (“Procesija”, directed by Agnė Girsaitė).

According to “Ėuolo” S. Lukoševičius, the committee unanimously chose the winner of “Gilė”. “In the work shot by Milda Juodvalkytė, the camera positions very clearly convey the mute guy’s perspective from the very beginning, and the camera movement in time and place emphasizes the important parts of the story being told”, Saulius Lukoševičius listed the reason why the operator of “Hubble’s Law” won the award.

During the ceremony, conducted by Rytis Zemkauskas, more prizes were also awarded. The cameramen’s appreciation prize, which is traditionally given to representatives of professions closely related to the work of cameramen, this year went to the administrator of the Film and TV Studio of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, Jurga Mačionyta, for all her help. LAC member Simonas Glinskis, who presented the award, said that he was remembered most for his conversations between jobs and constant help, especially for educational and non-commercial projects.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to cinematographer Arvid Andrijas Baron, who worked with famous film directors of that time, Marijon Giedri, Robert Verba, Almant Grikevičius, Petrus Abukevičius, and others. Director Arūnas Matelis also started his career with him, who was entrusted with presenting this honorable award. Matelis called Baron a kind of godfather of his cinema, who helped create his first film: “Because the cameraman was around, he was calmer, he took everything calmly, allowed mistakes, looked for something to film himself, that’s how the first horse in the church appeared, the first steam from the mouth.” That first film of mine was one of the easiest. All directors want the cameraman to be not only a cameraman, but also a confessor, and a psychologist, and mom and dad. With such a person, I was able to start working in cinema and make my first film.”

Cinematographer Kristina Sereikaita received a Special Mention in the “Oak” category for her attentive and respectful look at the characters of the documentary film and her exceptional professional attitude in the documentary “Mammoth Hunting” directed by Aistė Stonytė. The artist, who received the award from director Jurgis Matulevičius, admitted that it was not easy to jump from an investigative documentary to a detective, but it was very interesting to work, so she thanked the director of the film, Aista Stonyta, for the invitation.

Also traditionally, the students who chose to study Video Operator at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater presented their award. This year, they awarded the prize for their endless dedication and support to their teaching cameraman, LAC member Simon Glinskis.

Laura Aliukonytė, the chairwoman of the association, was happy that a lot of people contributed to these awards – starting with community members who created video clips, visuals, organized the ceremony, and ending with partner companies – of which there were as many as thirty, the main sponsors of “Ėuolo” – the Lithuanian Cinema Center and AVAKA.