Jonas Mekas (born December 23, 1922 in the village of Semeniškiai, near Biržai) is a Lithuanian filmmaker, writer, and curator who has often been called "the godfather of American avant-garde cinema."

Brother of Adolfas Mekas.

Father of Sebastian Mekas.

Used to film with an old Bolex camera.

Was in German labor camps during WWII. After the war he spent time in Germany as a displaced person, settling in New York City in 1949.

In 1958, he became the first movie critic for The Village Voice.

Left Lithuania at the age of 22.