DIMITRIS SPIROU

DIRECTOR, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR–INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF OLYMPIA

DIMITRIS SPIROU

He was born in 1954 in Diassela, Olympia.

He graduated from the Drama School and studied Cinema. He first worked in the theatre as an actor but in 1982 he turned to cinema where, during his "apprenticeship" years, he worked as an actor, assistant director, screenwriter and director of production. In 1985, he started directing, creating at the same time the –still existing- FAOS FILM independent production company with important feature and short films, as well as television programmes and documentaries. Since 1989 he has been particularly active in the field of cinema for Children and Young People, making at first "the FLEA" (which yielded international success) and then several educational programmes and television productions.

Since 1995 he has been directing the civil, non-profit company YOUTH PLAN, which deals in film distribution; film production; books publishing; management of the PHILIPPE cinema theatre in Athens; organisation of Festivals and other cultural activities; production and distribution of educational programmes.

In 1997, in collaboration with bodies in the Local Self-Government of the prefecture of Ilia, he created the International Film Festival of Olympia for Children and Young People, of which he is also the artistic director.

At the same time, he is also into literature (poetry, short story, novel) and collaborates with art and culture magazines. In 1981 he was awarded the 1st prize in a Panhellenic competition for poets under 35 years. The jury was comprised of three top Greek poets: Yannis Ritsos, Nikiforos Vrettakos and Takis Sinopoulos.

He is currently completing the script for a feature film he will be directing, based on the novel "A child counting the stars" by Menelaos Lountemis.