Andrius Blaževičius’ relationship drama How to Divorce During the War, which won an award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is set for a US theatrical release, has been selected as Lithuania’s submission for consideration in the best international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
The decision was made by Lithuania’s national selection committee, approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Lithuanian Film Centre said Tuesday.
“One of the main arguments for choosing this film was its relevance and proximity,” said committee chairman and director Ignas Miškinis. “It combines human relationships with geopolitical reality, as the title itself suggests.”
The film is set against the backdrop of the Ukraine war and explores anxiety, tension, uncertainty about the future, the collapse of a relationship and its impact on the people around it. Miškinis said those themes are universal and can resonate regardless of a viewer’s country or circumstances.
He also praised the film’s simplicity and accessible story, saying its characters are easy to identify with and their motivations are clearly portrayed. Naturalistic performances also contribute to the film’s impact, he said.
How to Divorce During the War is Blaževičius’ third feature as director and screenwriter. It stars Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė, Marius Repšys and Amelija Adomaitytė.
The drama follows Marija, an ambitious manager at a major advertising agency, and Vytas, a struggling filmmaker searching for direction. When Marija finally decides to tell Vytas that she wants a divorce, she chooses what turns out to be the worst possible time for the conversation.
The film premiered at Sundance, where Blaževičius won the directing award. It has since screened at nearly 20 international festivals and received several special awards.
“I’m very happy that the love drama How to Divorce During the War will represent Lithuania in the Oscar race,” Blaževičius said. “I hope this will add even more value to the film internationally, particularly in the US, where it will be released in theatres at the end of August.”
The film opens in Lithuanian cinemas September 18.
The Lithuanian Film Centre and the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union organise the national Oscar selection. The 2026 committee was chaired by Miškinis and included film critics Rasa Paukštytė and Neringa Kažukauskaitė, director and producer Arturas Jevdokimovas, film distributor Giedrė Krikščiūnaitė, animator Valentas Aškinis, and cinematographer and director Eitvydas Doškus.
Lithuania’s previous Oscar contenders include Miškinis’ The Southern Chronicles in 2025, Laurynas Bareiša’s Daughters in 2024, Marija Kavtaradzė’s Slow in 2023, Bareiša’s Pilgrims in 2022 and Jurgis Matulevičius’ “Isaac” in 2021.
Being selected as Lithuania’s submission is only the first step in the Oscar process. The Academy will review submissions from countries around the world before selecting a shortlist and then five final nominees in the international feature film category.
No Lithuanian film has yet received an Oscar nomination in the international feature film category.
The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2027.
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