The three-day event program will reveal how art can break stereotypes, reduce social and cultural exclusion, and promote empathy. Audiences can look forward to 6 international short films, 6 unique theatrical co-creation performances, an exhibition, as well as live meetings and discussions with the filmmakers.
The festival will open with a documentary film breaking stereotypes about disability
The “MEMEL FEST ’26” festival will begin with a closed opening evening on September 16, centered around the screening of the inspiring documentary film “Pushing Through Waves.” This is not only an inspiring journey of Ajmal Samuel and August Navickas – it is a story about human strength, love, and human connections revealed in the face of challenges. The film breaks stereotypes about disability and reminds us that human limits are not given – each of us sets them ourselves. After the film, the audience will have a meeting with the filmmaker Rimantas Navickas.
Open conversation about (Dis)ability and the courage to be seen
“The main message we hope to convey to the audience at this year’s festival is that (Dis)Ability and social exclusion do not have to be hidden, politely covered up, or whispered about. This collaboration opens a new chapter in the cultural life of the port city – on stage, amateurs and professionals meet as equal partners for whom theater becomes a common language. It is time to be (Un)comfortable, loudly visible, and clearly heard,” says the festival organizer, “ARTYN” theater director Marta Vendland.
From Oscar winners to deep personal stories
During the Film Day (September 17), the audience will see internationally recognized short films from France, Ireland, the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Among them is the British drama “The Silent Child” (dir. Chris Overton), awarded an Oscar in the short film category, sensitively revealing the world of a deaf girl and her right to be an equal member of society.
After the film screenings, there will be a discussion titled “The First Step,” where representatives of NGOs, the cultural sector, and local government will seek solutions to strengthen the integration of people with disabilities and open more space for joint art projects.
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Unique format: co-creation of stage professionals and communities
The main highlight of the festival is Theater Day on September 18 at 6 p.m., based on the slogan “Let’s see how similar we are.” During this event, theater professionals and representatives of organizations uniting people with disabilities will present 6 short performances born from analyzing and interpreting the films of the festival’s Film Day.
The joint works born from artistic synergy will be presented on stage by these artist teams: “ARTYN” theater with families raising children with disabilities, Klaipėda Drama Theater with Klaipėda Hope Theater “Drugelis,” LMTA Dance Department with the Social Services Center “Klaipėdos lakštutė,” Taškas Theater with the Day Center “Danė,” Gargždai Cultural Center with the Vision Development Center, and Klaipėda Youth Theater with the Klaipėda Disabled Association.
About the power of theater and a stage where boundaries disappear
“Theater is power – being here among others, you feel capable yourself. On stage, the important thing is not the diagnosis or age, but the message you send to the audience. We join the “MEMEL FEST’26” festival wanting to be on a shared stage with other creators and audiences, not in a separate ‘social theater’ category. It is important to us that people with disabilities are not only consumers of culture but also active creators and community members. Such festivals prove that art unites, and on stage, the boundaries between ability and disability disappear.” – shared sensitively Laura Šakurskytė-Žilinskienė, director of Klaipėda Hope Theater “Drugelis.”
Focus on invisible challenges and openness
During the festival, the audience will be able to visit Tatjana Pleskevičienė’s traveling exhibition “Colleagues Drink Coffee,” dedicated to understanding neurodiversity and invisible disabilities in everyday environments (presented by the organization “Friendly to Autism”).
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Information for the audience:
- Location: “ARTYN” theater (Danės St. 8, Klaipėda, AB “Klaipėdos energija” territory).
- September 17 at 6 p.m. Film Day: The event is FREE, but advance reservation of free tickets is required at “Bilietai.lt.”
- September 18 at 6 p.m. Theater Day: Tickets and patron tickets supporting the festival’s idea can be purchased at “Bilietai.lt” box offices and online.
