Serial Bridges Baltics
Midnight Stories
Beneath the serene facade of a seemingly idyllic scout camp in the Svarbudos forest lies a dark underbelly, where local legends intertwine with the scouts' deepest fears, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.
Beneath the serene facade of a seemingly idyllic scout camp in the Švarbūdos Forest lies a dark underbelly, where local legends intertwine with the scouts' deepest fears, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.
Main country of production
Lithuania
Director's note
MIDNIGHT STORIES will be told in a manner when worlds of different tales, different periods and different characters will interact and mix with those at the scout campsite. Beautiful lake and forest near by will turn into to trap for curious minds at nights. Danger is unknown. Secrets are hidden in tales.
At the camp fire, each of the characters will hear a story that will resonate directly with her/him. As if someone knew their hidden secrets. Each time story will be told - this kid will walk out and will never comeback again.
One will be left. Alone, abandoned, scared, exhausted and helpless . We’ll follow him till the end only to find a path to unknown place where clothes of others lays resting unguarded at the shore - the place already seen in the stories. Maybe that’s the end, maybe the new beginning, maybe just a dream.
All stories will be told in a cinematic way except the last one, that will be shot on the phone in a documentary style as one of the characters POV. When camera will go off - last one standing is gone. The end. No.
Producer's note
The TV series will be based on the bestselling book Šiurpnakčio istorijos by acclaimed author Aušrinė Tilindė, which was awarded “Book for Teenagers of the Year” in Lithuania in 2024. We believe this is the perfect moment to adapt the work for the screen.
Playful yet unsettling, the stories tap into childhood fears with a mix of humour and suspense, offering a unique blend of folkloric inspiration and a contemporary voice. Its critical acclaim and strong readership demonstrate its cultural resonance, while its universal themes make it a strong candidate for international adaptation.
With its distinctive Baltic atmosphere and strong cinematic potential, the book naturally lends itself to a screen adaptation — a fresh and original addition to the children’s fantasy-horror genre.
Currently, Lithuania lacks substantial content targeted at teenagers and young adults, despite this demographic being an active and voracious audience. This series aims to fill that gap with high-quality, engaging storytelling that reflects local culture while appealing to global viewers. We will employ modern filmmaking techniques and potentially incorporate new technologies to enhance the viewer experience, all while staying true to the series’ distinctive aesthetic.
Screenwiter's note
As a parent, I believe children can handle darkness and fear in storytelling. Historically, fairytales were filled with unsettling elements that helped children process complex emotions and understand the world. Modern commercial storytelling often sanitises these elements, which I aim to restore in a thoughtful and age-appropriate way.
I also believe that exploring folklore is a valuable way for children to learn about different cultures and develop a sense of wonder about the world. MIDNIGHT STORIES will be an opportunity to introduce audiences to the rich and fascinating folklore of Lithuania, while also tackling universal themes that resonate with viewers of all ages.
Subjects:
friendship, mysticism, youth
Viktorija Rimkutė is a film and TV producer at DANSU FILMS. After studying Creative Communication at Vilnius University, she quickly rose to the producer’s role. She is the co-producer of Norwegian feature film “Solomamma” by Janicke Askvold, in late post-production, featured at Les Arcs and Göteborg Works in Progress sections. Her major credit as a producer is "Troll Farm" - first Lithuanian high quality TV series that was picked up by Berlinale Series Market Selects. Viktorija is developing several original projects (feature films and TV series), including international co-productions. Her projects received Creative Europe MEDIA mini-slate support for development. She recently completed Series’ Women programme by EPI and Market Ready by International Screen Instutute in 2024.
Gabija Siurbytė is a producer and scriptwriter who co-owns the production company Dansu – one of the leading studios in Lithuania, producing commercials, films, and TV series, creating original content, and providing production services. Her first TV series as showrunner, “Troll Farm,” was selected by Berlinale Series Market Selects, Transilvania IFF, and Killer Series, where it was screened in the Main Competition. She has co-produced the Netflix TV series “Clark,” the Swedish TV series “Moscow Noir” (“Dirigenten”), and “Hamilton.” Gabija is a member of the board of the Independent Producers Association of Lithuania. She has taken part in Inside Pictures, EAVE+, Producers Network, Berlinale Talents Campus, MIDPOINT, and Words Across Europe, and was presented as a promising TV writer at Berlinale during the “Only Writers in the Building” event.
Director Ernestas Jankauskas directed TV series “Troll Farm”, that was selected by Berlinale Series Market Selects, Transylvania IFF and Killer Series where it is shown in Main Competition. His short film won best Lithuanian short movie award. His first feature film “Sasha was here” premiered at POFF in Tallinn and visited Shanghai and Les Arcs film festivals. His second feature “I am fine thanks” was picked up by Warsaw IFF. He directed over 40 award winning commercials. He was 2nd unit directo