Many people have heard about "Comic Con Baltics" festival, the first words that come to mind are comics, cosplay or Hollywood. However, the organizers of the event emphasize that the three-day festival program is much broader. It invites not only to try the latest games or technologies, but also to discuss. From changes in the education system and comics born during the war to the influence of artificial intelligence on creativity - everyone will find a relevant and important topic for themselves.
Vilnius University: how do we think and learn in the 21st century?
Vilnius University will present a multi-layered program of discussions and presentations at this year's event. In the discussion "From Owls to Space", VU communication researchers and media experts (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vincas Grigas, Aleksandra Ketlerienė (Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the LRT.lt portal) and Dr. Saulius Keturakis) will analyze how fiction reflects our information reality. Do fictional worlds shape our language and ways of thinking? What social principles persist even in fantastic universes?
The discussion "From School Desk to Work Desk" will seek answers to the questions: how does personal responsibility change when learning is no longer regulated by the teacher, but by internal motivation?
Another important topic is “Mathematics and Computer Science in the Age of AI.” Scientists, business leaders, psychologists, and students will seek to refute the myth that these fields are losing importance. On the contrary, today, as AI transforms the world, structured thinking is becoming one of the most important competencies.
Cinema and what remains behind the frame
During the festival, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the professions of the film industry that often remain behind the scenes during the "Meet Lithuanian Film Industry" discussion series. Sound directors, dubbers, stuntmen and costume designers will share their experiences. There will also be a discussion about the influence of world-building on the success of a film, and how the details of a film create worlds that affect the viewer just as strongly as the main character.
Film industry professionals such as Vilius Tamošaitis, Greta Butrimavičiūtė, Adomas Miklius will participate in the discussions. Film journalist Vladas Rožėnas will examine whether "opinion leaders" still exist in cinema and how the role of critics is changing in the digital space.
The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) will also be discussed. AI is already changing the world of creativity, but is it just a temporary fad? Simona Vasytė-Kudakauskė ("Perfection42") and visual effects creator Justas Giedraitis, who has contributed to such films as "The Matrix", "Avengers: Infinity War", "Bohemian Rhapsody", will talk about this.
Art in Wartime: UA Comix Stories
A special discussion with the creators of "UA Comix" will discuss how humor and satire can help maintain humanity, how creativity gives meaning to everyday life, full of cruelty. The creators will share the responsibility of an artist when his work is not only entertainment, but also a civic position, and how art helps not only to express anger or pain, but also to mobilize the community, strengthen the identity of the country.
This independent Ukrainian comic platform emerged as a response to military aggression and information warfare, with the aim of conveying real human stories – from the front, from hiding places, from internal turmoil.
Stars from the screens – in Vilnius
This year's Comic Con Baltics 2025 sponsored by Samsung program is distinguished by its extremely large guest list. The event will be attended not only by film and TV stars, but also by actors and creators from the gaming industry. In Vilnius, you will be able to meet Jack Gleeson, famous for his role as Prince Joffrey in the series "Game of Thrones", Ed Westwick, well-known to fans of the series "Gossip Girl", as well as "GTA V" actors Ned Luke and Shawn Fonteno, and "Red Dead Redemption" main characters voiced by Roger Clark and Rob Wiethoff, etc.
"These meetings are not just stories about specific projects of actors. They are open, lively and often unexpected conversations about the creative path, first works, acting auditions, sources of inspiration and fan-created situations that become unforgettable memories. Actors will share their experiences about what it means to create memorable characters, what the work behind the scenes really looks like and what emotional challenges they have to experience when working with large-scale roles both in cinema and in the world of games," says Tomas Vievesis, one of the festival organizers.
This is a unique opportunity to get to know creators up close. As professionals, as people, and as storytellers, whose work often has a lasting impact on the entire popular culture community.
