Canadian Premiere
Rokas, a lonely teen targeted by a local gang, sings in the school choir while desperately waiting to emigrate to the US.
Content Considerations: Bullying
Domantas Starkauskas, Kasparas Varanavičius, Arūnas Sakalauskas, Kęstutis Cicėnas, Agnė Šataitė, Algirdas Galkus
Lithuania
2026
In Lithuanian with English subtitles
This short is featured in:
Short Forum 10: Are the Kids Alright?
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Credits & Director
Producer
Viktorija Seniut-Stroliene
Screenwriter
Saulius Baradinskas
Cinematography
Narvydas Naujalis
Editor
Karolis Labutis
Production Design
Daumantas Levickas
Original Music
Andrea Boccadoro
Saulius Baradinskas
Saulius Baradinskas is an award-winning Lithuanian film director and screenwriter, currently completing his MFA at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles. His short films have premiered at prestigious film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival, and have been nominated by the European Film Academy. In 2026, Baradinskas is set to direct his feature musical film, Betono Muzika. With a distinctive voice that blends magical realism and deeply personal storytelling, Saulius continues to create experimental dramas and expand his career across both Hollywood and European cinema.
VIFF Short Forum
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Short Forum 10: Are the Kids Alright?
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