As reported on Tuesday by the Lithuanian Film Centre, this decision was made by the Lithuanian selection committee approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
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“One of the main reasons why we chose this film was its relevance and closeness – it intertwines universal human relationships and geopolitical reality, as the film’s title itself suggests. The film carries a backdrop of war – what is happening very close to us, yet it also speaks about universal things – anxiety, tension, uncertainty about the future, the collapse of relationships and its impact not only on two people but on the entire world around them. These themes are recognizable regardless of country or context,” said Ignas Miškinis, chairman of the National Selection Committee and director, in a statement.
“In my opinion, the film’s strength is its simplicity in a good sense: the story is understandable, it is easy to identify with its characters, and the motives behind their actions are clearly revealed. At the same time, director Andrius Blaževičius managed not to overshadow the complex themes – despite the divorce and uncertainty, the film retains a sense of light and a path forward. The organic, genuine acting of the actors also greatly contributes to its impact,” he said.
“Divorce During the War” is the third feature film by director and screenwriter Andrius Blaževičius. The main roles are played by Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė, Marius Repšys, and Amelija Adomaitytė.
At the heart of the drama are Marija, an ambitious head of a large advertising agency department, and Vytas, a film director searching for himself. When Marija finally decides to confess her desire to divorce, she chooses the worst possible time for an open conversation.
After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where A. Blaževičius won the Best Director award, the film has already visited nearly twenty international festivals and received special prizes.
The film will be released in Lithuanian cinemas from September 18.
“I am very happy that the love drama ‘Divorce During the War’ will represent Lithuania in the pursuit of an Oscar. I am grateful to the committee that made this decision. I believe this will add even more value to the film internationally – especially in the USA, where the film will be released in cinemas at the end of August,” said A. Blaževičius.
The selection for the Oscar nomination contender in the Best International Feature Film category is organized by the Lithuanian Film Centre and the Lithuanian Filmmakers’ Union (LKS).
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The LKS Board of Trustees, composed of the heads of the main film profession guilds, reviewed the candidates submitted by the LKS guilds for the National Oscar Selection Committee.
The 2026 selection committee consisted of: committee chairman I. Miškinis, film critics Rasa Paukštytė and Neringa Kažukauskaitė, director and producer Arturas Jevdokimovas, film distributor Giedrė Krikščiūnaitė, animator Valentas Aškinis, cinematographer and director Eitvydas Doškus.
In 2025, Lithuania’s Oscar nomination contender was I. Miškinis’s film “Southern Chronicles,” in 2024 – Laurynas Bareiša’s “Sisters,” in 2023 – Marija Kavtaradzė’s “You Don’t Look Like Anyone I Know,” in 2022 – L. Bareiša’s “Pilgrims,” in 2021 – Jurgis Matulevičius’s “Isaac.”
Becoming the official Lithuanian contender for the Oscar nomination in the Best International Feature Film category is only the first stage of the selection.
From films submitted by various countries around the world, the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will first select a shortlist and then announce five final nominees. One of them will receive the prestigious Oscar.
A Lithuanian film has never been nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.
The 99th Oscar ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027.
