Skalvija cinema centre is the biggest non-commercial cinema centre in Vilnius. It has a long history which began in 1962 as Planeta cinema centre (the name Skalvija was given just in 1992). It is very popular in Lithuania because it organizes special cinema events – festivals, retrospectives and meetings with filmmakers.

I prefer this cinema because it offers quality, non-commercial European and World cinema. It organizes unique events such as Shakespeare in the Cinema, Week of French Cinema, Spanish Comedy Night, Prodotto in Italia or German Cinema Club and gives a chance to watch films in original languages. So, I think that these events help to introduce European cinema into Lithuanian culture.

Moreover, Skalvija cinema centre gives special attention to local films and documentaries (both classics and recent films). It is often the only place where you can watch it. Also, it organize a lot of international festivals such as Vilnius Documentary Film Festival or Young Filmmakers Film Festival ‘Vilnius Film Shorts’, where all (film-goers and film professionals) can show their work.

Futhermore, Skalvija has a mission to teach young people more about cinema history and film making. So, in 2003 Skalvija Film Academy was established. Students can choose from three study programmes – documentary film, feature film, film theory and analysis. They have special calsses, workshops, learn from the professionals and the most attractive thing is that they have to show their works in the cinema.