Obviously, I'm thrilled with the decision, not only because I really liked the movie, but because the film once again shows how effectively high-art and genre elements can blend together, which is a truth that that always bears repeating. Also, I'm pretty sure it's been a while since a film from Lithuania was honored with a prestigious genre prize.
And just so your clear about the organization and the timeline involved in choosing this prize, here's the official rundown. Congratulations to all!
In existence since 1996, the Méliès d'Or Award is a unique competition: it is the only competition organised between collaborating festivals in Europe. The competition is open to both features and short films.
The Méliès d'Or Competition for features is organised by all the affiliated members of the Federation. Each Competition cycle takes approximately one year and is organised in two stages.
In the first stage, each participating festival organises a Competition during its event, at the end of which a European film is awarded with a Méliès d'Argent. This film is automatically nominated to take part in the Méliès d'Or Competition.
Once all the affiliated members have awarded their own Méliès d'Argent, the next festival on the calendar organises the Méliès d'Or Competition and Ceremony. A jury is gathered, their task is to decide which of the Méliès d'Argent will be awarded with the Méliès d'Or.
The Méliès d'Or Competition for shorts is organised in the same way as the Competition for features, but is open to all the European members of the Federation. The films selected by each festival are called "Méliès d'Or Nominees". The Méliès d'Or for shorts is awarded by the same jury as for the features.
With the organisation of a Méliès d'Or competition, the Federation intends to highlight the quality and originality of European cinema and to guide the renewal of the genre film on the entire continent, whether in Spain, France, the Scandinavian countries, England,...