A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISIC DIRECTOR, ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS

It is well known that the short film is a self-sufficient cinematic genre, which is rapidly developing. International Film Festivals have contributed greatly to the enormous growth of the short film industry all over the world during the last two decades.

One of the foremost international festivals is the Short Film Festival of Drama and it acquires even greater importance being one of the most successful regional cultural institutions. The festival is a model of perfect collaboration between the state-the Ministry of Culture and the local government –the Municipality of Drama.
Besides, the European dynamic over the last decades has shown that there can be no important cultural activity at provincial level without the constant, consistent action of the local government.

The Festival of Drama has created the most suitable and hospitable cocoon for new Greek Cinema. Our initial aim for the young Greek filmmaker to be the focus of our interest has borne fruits.

The rewards, the international acknowledgement, the response from organisations and filmmakers but also the great evolution of the institution and its successful course over the last decade constitute our fundamental motive of searching for new pursuits and raise matters which need immediate action:

  • Reform and improvement of our relations with the Ministry of Culture.
  • Completion of the building infrastructure.

The advancement of restoration works at the “Perdika” Tobacco Warehouse will solve the problem of insufficient premises, give the city a new dynamic and will become the nucleus of Drama’s cinematic and art activity throughout the year.

This year, we present a great number of films- 188 in total. The 59 films taking part in the Greek Competition Section are certainly a very encouraging number for such a small industry

The International Competition Section, the great tribute to British Cinema in collaboration with the British Council, but also a multitude of other external events make up a particularly rich and high-standard programme where different kinds of art, vernaculars, styles, cultures and people meet and interact.

Welcome to the hospitable city of Drama.

Dear friends, we wish you a Happy Festival!