Arūnas Matelis facts for kids
Arūnas Matelis (born on April 9, 1961, in Kaunas, Lithuania) is a well-known Lithuanian documentary film director. He creates films that tell real-life stories.
Before becoming a filmmaker, Arūnas Matelis studied Mathematics at Vilnius University from 1979 to 1983. Later, in 1989, he graduated from the Lithuanian Music Academy, where he learned about film. In 1992, he started his own film company called "Nominum." This was one of the first independent film production companies in Lithuania. In 2006, he became a full member of the European Film Academy. This means he can vote on important film awards.
What Films Has He Made?
Arūnas Matelis has directed many interesting documentary films. These films often explore different aspects of life and society. Here are some of his works:
- Pelesos milžinai (1989)
- Baltijos kelias (1989)
- Dešimt minučių prieš Ikaro skrydį (1991)
- Autoportretas (1993)
- Iš dar nebaigtų Jeruzalės pasakų (1996)
- Pirmasis atsisveikinimas su Rojum (1998)
- Priverstinės emigracijos dienoraštis (1999)
- Skrydis per Lietuvą arba 510 sekundžių tylos (2000)
- Sekmadienis. Evangelija pagal liftininką Albertą (2003)
- Prieš parskrendant į žemę (Before Flying Back to Earth) (2005)
- Wonderful Losers: A Different World (2017)
Awards and Recognition
Arūnas Matelis has received many awards for his films. He is one of the winners of the Lithuanian National Prize from 2005. This is a very important award in Lithuania.
Before Flying Back to Earth
His documentary film, "Prieš parskrendant į žemę" (which means "Before Flying Back to Earth"), is one of his most famous works. This film tells the story of children who are bravely facing serious health challenges in a hospital. It is considered one of the best European documentary films from 2005. The film won many awards at different festivals around the world:
- Best documentary at the Directors Guild of America Awards 2006
- Best Lithuanian Film in 2005 by the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union
- Silver Wolf at the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in Amsterdam, 2005
- Golden Dove at the International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film, 2005
- Main Prize at the Documenta Madrid Festival, 2005
- "Spirit Award for Documentary" at the Brooklyn International Film Festival, 2006
- Grand Prix at the Pärnu International Film Festival, 2006
- Special Jury Mention at the Silverdocs Festival, 2006
- Veliki pečat international competition award at the ZagrebDox Film Festival, 2006
This film was also nominated for the best European documentary award by the European Film Academy in 2005.
