Linas Mikuta
Linas Mikuta (born 1980) graduated in theatre directing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2003. In 2015, he completed his Master’s studies in film directing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
From 2005 – 2008 he worked as an assistant and associate director at the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Tel-Aviv Opera, and the Frankfurt Opera. He also participated in an independent project as director with the Vilnius National Philharmonic Society. In 2013, Mikuta presented his debut mid-length documentary Dzūkijos Jautis / Dzukija’s Bull and short-length documentary Pietūs Lipovkėje /Dinner. Both films were shown at numerous festivals in Lithuania and abroad (including DOK Leipzig, the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival, the Tartu World Film Festival and others). In 2013, at the Scanorama European Film Forum (Vilnius), Dinner was awarded best Lithuanian short film. In that same year, Dzukija’s Bull received a prize at the Ekaterinburg Documentary Film Festival Rossia for Best Cinematography. Mikuta explores the social implications of everyday life and the realities of marginalized groups.
In 2015, his short film Pakeleiviai / Fellow Travellers was recognized as Best Student Film at the Vilnius International Film Festival Kino Pavasaris. The documentary film Šaltos ausys / Dead Ears (2016) has won several international prizes (Kraków film festival, FIDBA International Documentary Film Festival, Sole Luna Doc Films Festival, etc.) and been shown at over 20 festivals.