Lithuanian journalist Rūta Sinkevičienė awarded Vincas Kudirka Prize for documentary films

The Lithuanian Union of Journalists (LŽS) has awarded documentary filmmaker Rūta Sinkevičienė the prestigious Vincas Kudirka Prize, the country’s top journalism honour, for her work strengthening civic society and national identity, LRT.lt reports.

Sinkevičienė, a member of the LŽS Vilnius branch, received the prize for her documentaries “Juozas Žemaitis-Vytautas: The Last Wish” and “Monsignor Alfonso Svarinsko’s Homily”. The award includes a diploma, medal, and €3,000 in prize money.

“Each year, this prize recognises mature journalistic works that meet the highest standards,” said LŽS Chairman Audrys Antanaitis during the May 7 ceremony at the Ministry of Culture. “These works share a common tradition—fostering civic society and reinforcing Lithuania’s statehood. Today, we not only award the prize but also honour those whose work inspires change and strengthens our national spirit.”

Over the past five years, Sinkevičienė has directed six documentaries for LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television), including “Black Bird: Memory of the Roma Genocide”, “Juozas Lukša-Daumantas: The Last Letter”, and “1944: The General’s Mission”, the latter of which won the Antanas Macijauskas Prize in 2025. All films are available on the LRT Epika streaming platform.

The Vincas Kudirka Prize, established by the LŽS and the National Association of Journalists, recognises outstanding print, radio, television, or photojournalism that upholds humanistic values, ethical standards, and civic-patriotic education.