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Vilnius Plans Five-Year Film Studio to Attract International Productions
Vilnius, Lithuania – In a bold move to stake its claim on the global film map, the Lithuanian capital unveiled plans for a purpose‑built studio on the former Litexpo exhibition grounds. A memorandum signed in May by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Vilnius City Municipality, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, and the Baltic Film and Creative Tech Cluster lays out a five‑year construction timeline that could turn the city into a new hub for international film and television.
The proposal arrives on the heels of a steady uptick in foreign productions that have already found a home in Vilnius. The Vilnius Film Office reports a growing roster of international projects, yet the city’s lack of modern, world‑class infrastructure has capped its competitiveness and the economic upside for local creators. “A new studio would enable year‑round production, draw more projects to the city, and create better conditions for local talent,” said Jūratė Pažikaitė, head of the Film Office.
The memorandum argues that a stronger audiovisual sector would spark tourism, generate jobs, and boost income across the creative economy. While the exact size, location specifics, and funding model remain to be hammered out, a feasibility study slated for later this year will set the stage for detailed planning.
Lithuania’s film industry has long balanced public incentives with private investment. In 2025, the Film Tax Incentive attracted €25.6 million in investment from Lithuanian companies, according to the Lithuania Film Centre. The new studio would complement historic facilities such as the Lithuanian Film Studio (founded 1940) and the Vilnius Documentary Film Studio (established 1948).
Industry observers note that the Baltic region is positioning itself as a cost‑effective alternative to larger European production hubs. By offering state‑of‑the‑art sound stages, post‑production suites, and green‑screen capabilities, the proposed Vilnius complex aims to lure high‑budget productions that currently favor Western Europe or the United States. The city’s edge over neighboring capitals like Riga and Tallinn—both of which already host purpose‑built facilities—could be decisive.
Choosing the Litexpo site was a strategic decision. The former exhibition centre sits on a sizeable parcel just outside the city center, close to major transport links and the central business district, making it an ideal location for a large studio complex.
Beyond the studio itself, the memorandum highlights a cascade of spill‑over benefits. Jobs would spring up not only in production but also in ancillary services such as catering, set construction, and post‑production. The project would nurture local talent—from camera operators to visual‑effects artists—and could foster collaborations with Vilnius universities and technical schools.
Vilnius has been building its cultural credentials in recent years, having been named European Capital of Culture in 2009 and European Green Capital in 2025. The new studio would add a significant chapter to the city’s creative infrastructure, reinforcing its emerging reputation as a digital and creative technology hub.
The timeline is ambitious: a five‑year completion target that dovetails with the city’s broader strategy to increase its share of international film production. The forthcoming feasibility study will assess technical requirements, environmental impact, and financial viability.
Until that study is published, the project remains in the planning phase. No funding commitments have been announced, and the studio’s exact scale is still under discussion. Nonetheless, the memorandum’s signing by key government and industry bodies signals strong political and commercial backing.
In the coming months, Vilnius will likely seek to secure investment partners—both domestic and international—to bring the studio to life. City leaders are confident that the new facility will sharpen Vilnius’s competitive edge for international film and television productions, ultimately boosting the local economy and strengthening the country’s cultural exports.
The project is currently under review, with the feasibility study slated for completion by the end of 2026. Stakeholders will watch closely, as the studio’s development could set a new benchmark for film infrastructure in the Baltic region.
The proposal arrives on the heels of a steady uptick in foreign productions that have already found a home in Vilnius. The Vilnius Film Office reports a growing roster of international projects, yet the city’s lack of modern, world‑class infrastructure has capped its competitiveness and the economic upside for local creators. “A new studio would enable year‑round production, draw more projects to the city, and create better conditions for local talent,” said Jūratė Pažikaitė, head of the Film Office.
The memorandum argues that a stronger audiovisual sector would spark tourism, generate jobs, and boost income across the creative economy. While the exact size, location specifics, and funding model remain to be hammered out, a feasibility study slated for later this year will set the stage for detailed planning.
Lithuania’s film industry has long balanced public incentives with private investment. In 2025, the Film Tax Incentive attracted €25.6 million in investment from Lithuanian companies, according to the Lithuania Film Centre. The new studio would complement historic facilities such as the Lithuanian Film Studio (founded 1940) and the Vilnius Documentary Film Studio (established 1948).
Industry observers note that the Baltic region is positioning itself as a cost‑effective alternative to larger European production hubs. By offering state‑of‑the‑art sound stages, post‑production suites, and green‑screen capabilities, the proposed Vilnius complex aims to lure high‑budget productions that currently favor Western Europe or the United States. The city’s edge over neighboring capitals like Riga and Tallinn—both of which already host purpose‑built facilities—could be decisive.
Choosing the Litexpo site was a strategic decision. The former exhibition centre sits on a sizeable parcel just outside the city center, close to major transport links and the central business district, making it an ideal location for a large studio complex.
Beyond the studio itself, the memorandum highlights a cascade of spill‑over benefits. Jobs would spring up not only in production but also in ancillary services such as catering, set construction, and post‑production. The project would nurture local talent—from camera operators to visual‑effects artists—and could foster collaborations with Vilnius universities and technical schools.
Vilnius has been building its cultural credentials in recent years, having been named European Capital of Culture in 2009 and European Green Capital in 2025. The new studio would add a significant chapter to the city’s creative infrastructure, reinforcing its emerging reputation as a digital and creative technology hub.
The timeline is ambitious: a five‑year completion target that dovetails with the city’s broader strategy to increase its share of international film production. The forthcoming feasibility study will assess technical requirements, environmental impact, and financial viability.
Until that study is published, the project remains in the planning phase. No funding commitments have been announced, and the studio’s exact scale is still under discussion. Nonetheless, the memorandum’s signing by key government and industry bodies signals strong political and commercial backing.
In the coming months, Vilnius will likely seek to secure investment partners—both domestic and international—to bring the studio to life. City leaders are confident that the new facility will sharpen Vilnius’s competitive edge for international film and television productions, ultimately boosting the local economy and strengthening the country’s cultural exports.
The project is currently under review, with the feasibility study slated for completion by the end of 2026. Stakeholders will watch closely, as the studio’s development could set a new benchmark for film infrastructure in the Baltic region.
