Today, Tuesday, November 18, as part of the Gala screenings at the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, the film Renovation directed by Gabrielle Urbonaitė will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere in the International Competition. The screening will take place at 6:00 PM on the Grand Theatre stage at the Renovation is a narrative feature co-produced by Lithuania, Latvia, and Belgium, with a runtime of 90 minutes, presented in four languages: Lithuanian, English, Norwegian, and Ukrainian. The film offers a contemporary human drama set in the heart of Vilnius, following Ilona, a 29-year-old woman haunted by the obsession of reaching « perfection point » before turning thirty.
The story follows Ilona’s inner journey as she moves in with her boyfriend Matas to an apartment that seems perfect, coinciding with their relationship becoming more serious. However, as renovation work begins on the building, cracks start to appear—not only in the walls but also in her life and choices—leading her to existential questions about what she truly wants from life before crossing that crucial threshold.
Gabrielle Urbonaitė is one of the most prominent emerging voices in Lithuanian cinema. Born in 1993, she has directed several acclaimed short films, notably The Swimmer, which won the Silver Crane, Lithuania’s top national award. She has participated in prestigious talent programs such as Berlinale Talents, Odense and Reykjavik Talent Labs, and was selected among the emerging filmmakers at Mountainfilm 2020. Urbonaitė holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from Emerson College and a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting and Directing from Columbia University.
About Cairo International Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious festivals in the Arab world and Africa, accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Founded in 1976, it is held annually under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture. The festival blends artistic and professional dimensions, serving as a leading platform for cultural dialogue and enhancing the international presence of Arab cinema.
