Gintas Žilys studied at Julias Janonis Secondary School in Šiauliai. in 1963 graduated from the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater), majoring in acting. in 1971 graduated from the Higher Courses of Screenwriting and Directing in Moscow, where directing was taught by Anatoliy Efros, a meritorious artist of the Russian Federation (Russian: Анато́лий Васи́льевич Э́фрос)
