According to film studio Bright Nine, the dark comedy short film “Piecas stundas līdz Mēness aptumsumam” (Five Hours Until the Lunar Eclipse) follows three young women attempting to become witches by losing their virginity before midnight. The project originated during the Vilnius leg of The 48 Hour Film Project in November 2025, where teams compete to write, shoot, and edit a short film within a single weekend based on randomly drawn genres and mandatory elements.
The 48-Hour Production Timeline and Rules
The 48 Hour Film Project began in Washington in 2001, expanding globally before holding its first Baltic competition in Vilnius in 2025. Director Daniils Silovs notes that teams draw their genre on Friday evening alongside three mandatory elements: a specific character, a prop, and a dialogue line that must appear in the final cut. Teams then complete all writing, shooting, and post-production within 48 hours to meet the Sunday submission deadline. “I believe that constraints are the engine of creativity, and the 48 Hour Film Project proves that wonderfully,” Silovs states, adding that the compressed timeline forces rapid creative decisions while keeping stress low and adrenaline high.
Festival Circuit Run Across Europe
Following its November 2025 premiere in Vilnius—where it captured third place from the jury, the best screenplay award, and the audience choice award—the production entered post-production refinement for international distribution, according to producer Nadīna Anna Larionova. In June 2026, the project screened at the Ravenheart International Film Festival in Norway. The festival run continues this autumn across three genre showcases: the Dead Northern Horror Film Festival in the United Kingdom from September 25 to 27, the Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival in Italy from October 13 to 18, and the Fright Nights Horror Film Festival in Austria from October 21 to 24.
Production Team and Cast Details
Producer Nadīna Anna Larionova points out that short narrative films face intense competition for festival slots against thousands of applicants, making their 7-minute runtime and dark comedy genre key assets for connecting with specialized festival audiences. The cast features young actors Santa Breikša, Velta Birze, Dita Apsīte, Daniels Loginovs, and Armands Avots. Behind the camera, Daniils Silovs served as director and editor, Jānis Upmalis as cinematographer, Emīlija Lenkeviča and Linda Loze as production designers, Nadežda Kustova as makeup artist, and Oto Avots as gaffer. Producers Nadīna Anna Larionova and Anete Mārtuža oversaw the project for Bright Nine, which included two Latvian teams competing among 20 total groups in Vilnius.
Did you know?
The 48 Hour Film Project started in Washington in 2001, but the 2025 Vilnius edition marked the very first time the timed filmmaking competition took place in the Baltic states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of “Piecas stundas līdz Mēness aptumsumam”?
The dark comedy follows three young women trying to complete a magic ritual by losing their virginity before midnight, just hours before a lunar eclipse.
Where was the short film made?
The film was created in Latvia by a Latvian team participating in The 48 Hour Film Project competition held in Vilnius in November 2025.
Which international festivals selected the film?
The film was selected for Ravenheart International Film Festival in Norway, Dead Northern Horror Film Festival in the UK, Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival in Italy, and Fright Nights Horror Film Festival in Austria.
Who directed the project?
The short film was directed and edited by Daniils Silovs and produced by Nadīna Anna Larionova and Anete Mārtuža for Bright Nine.
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