48th DISFF Awards
National Competition, International Competition, International Short & Green, International Kiddo Program, Independent Jury Awards
NATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2024
Jury:
- Maria Kallimani, actor
- Elsa Lekakou, actor
- Dimosthenis Papamarkos, writer, screenwriter
- Andreas Sinanos, director of photography
- Aggelos Frantzis, director
Head Programmer:
Yorgos Aggelopoulos
GOLDEN DIONYSUS – BEST FILM AWARD
‘Noi’, Neritan Zinzhiria
Jury Reasoning: For its rough yet tender point of view, its simple yet bold choices, that mystically lead the viewer to the core of human experience.
*The winner gets one of two DISFF tickets on the long list of nominees for the Short Film Oscar Awards.
**The award is accompanied by two prizes: Finos Film, ERT and Greek Film Center offer a prize of 10,000 euro. The winner automatically gets selected to participate in Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Short Film.
SILVER DIONYSUS – “TONIA MARKETAKI” BEST DIRECTION AWARD
‘He Who Once Was’, Kostis Theodosopoulos
Jury Reasoning: For masterfully refreshing the genre codes, for its artistic thoroughness and excellent actor directing.
*The award is accompanied by three prizes: ERT and Greek Film Center offer a prize of 10,000 euro. Post Production services worth 2,500 euro provided by Stefilm. The winner automatically gets selected to participate in Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Short Film.
DOCUMENTARY AWARD
‘Requiem in Salt’, Sylvia Nikolaides- Nikolas Iordanou
Jury Reasoning: For its perfect consistency in form and content, for its high aesthetics and low-voiced narration that turns personal mourning into an artistic and spiritual experience.
*The award is accompanied by three prizes: ERT and Greek Film Center offer a 4,000 euro prize. Post Production services worth 2,500 euro provided by Stefilm. A LED lighting system, provided by Manios Cine Tools and Amaran companies.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD
‘Dust to Dust’, Dimitris Papathanasis
Jury Reasoning: For the way it truthfully weaves a world of corruption and conflict, by balancing between tragedy and farce, and for its actors’ performance that make up a rare ensemble.
DRAMA QUEER AWARD
‘He Who Once Was’, Kostis Theodosopoulos
Jury Reasoning: For the creative way it brings vampire myths that have often been used as metaphors for queer love to today’s world and for the way it finally transforms into a modern, emancipating and liberating narrative.
*The award is accompanied by a 5-year Premium Crew United Pass, provided by Crew United.
BEST SCRIPT AWARD
Yannis Symvonis and Yorgos Aggelkos
[‘Mikro Soma’, by Yannis Symvonis]
Jury Reasoning: For its elliptical dramaturgy that gradually unravels the film’s theme, without a trace of exposure or pretentious mystery.
*The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euro, provided by the Greek Film Centre.
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD
Filia Papaggelidi
[‘Mitsi’, by Gevi Dimitrakopoulou]
*The award is accompanied by a 5-year Premium Crew United Pass, provided by Crew United.
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE AWARD
Aris Balis
[‘He Who Once Was’, By Kostis Theodosopoulos]
*The award is accompanied by a 5-year Premium Crew United Pass, provided by Crew United.
BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD
Konstantinos Koukoulios
[‘Last Tropics’, by Thanasis Troumpoukis]
*The award is accompanied by two prizes: A 500-euro prize offered by ISOCRATES Copyright Management Organisation. A hybrid Canon Kit consisting of a camera and lenses set, provided by Canon.
BEST EDITING AWARD
Yannis Karpouzis
[‘Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time’, by Yannis Karpouzis]
*The award is accompanied by two prizes: A 500-euro prize offered by ISOCRATES Copyright Management Organisation. Film and video editing software, Avid Media Composer by Avid Technology, provided by Telmaco.
ORIGINAL MUSIC AWARD
Alexandros Sidiropoulos
[‘Loudias’, by Akis Polyzos]
*The award is accompanied by Pro Tools Studio software by Avid Technology, provided by Telmaco.
SET DESIGN AWARD
Sofia Vaso, Lydia Myligou
[‘Last Tropics’, by Thanasis Troumpoukis]
*The award is accompanied by a 500-euro prize offered by ISOCRATES Copyright Management Organisation
“IOULIA STAVRIDOU” COSTUME AWARD
Johanna Schraut
[‘Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time’, by Yannis Karpouzis]
*The award is accompanied by a 500-euro prize offered by ISOCRATES Copyright Management Organisation
BEST SOUND AWARD
Dimitra Xeroutsikou, Aris Pavlidis
[‘Wolves Return’, by Stelios Moraitidis]
*The award is accompanied by two prizes: a 500-euro prize offered by ISOCRATES Copyright Management Organisation. Technical equipment worth 1,700 euros provided by Manios Cine Tools and Deity Microphones.
BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD
Leandros Dounis
[‘Last Tropics’, by Thanasis Troumpoukis]
*The award is accompanied by Pro Tools Studio software by Avid Technology, provided by Telmaco.
MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING AWARD
Dimitra Giatrakou
[‘He Who Once Was’, by Kostis Theodosopoulos]
*The award is accompanied by a 5-year Premium Crew United Pass, provided by Crew United.
SPECIAL EFFECTS AWARD
Nikos Pittas
[‘Nothing and Everything’, by Lia Tsalta]
*The award is accompanied by a 5-year Premium Crew United Pass, provided by Crew United.
SPECIAL MENTION
Yorgos Frentzos
[‘Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time’, by Yannis Karpouzis]
Jury Reasoning: For his unique contribution in the creation of a hybrid film whose artistic boldness and impressive truthfulness constructs an entire era.
HONORABLE MENTION
‘Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World’,
Kevin Walker- Eirini Zachariades
Jury Reasoning: For its authenticity and tenderness, for its delicate and bizarre humour that finds balance with melancholy, presenting the loneliness of the life of a small community in an isolated island.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS
JURY
- Katerina Gregou, National Modern Art Museum, artistic director
- Panagiotis Evaggelidis, director, screenwriter
- Helena Wittman, director, photography director
Head Programmer:
Vasilis Terzopoulos
Grand Prix
‘Correct me If I’m Wrong’, Hao Zhou (Germany, USA)
Jury Reasoning: For its sweet and compassionate depiction of an attempt to bridge deeply rooted differences within a family
*The winner gets one of two DISFF tickets on the long list of nominees for the Short Film Oscar Awards.
**The award is accompanied by a 5,000-euro prize, provided by the company Raycap.
BEST DIRECTION AWARD
‘Casa Chica’, Lau Charles (Mexico)
Jury Reasoning: For its emotional approach to a family drama by different points of view with compassion and an open mind.
*The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize.
EFA CANDIDACY DRAMA 2025 – European Film Academy Award Nomination for Best Short Film
Drama Festival as part of the European Film Academy, along with 29 other festivals, offers a film in the Academy’s candidacy list for the Best Short Film Award
‘Loynes’, Dorian Jespers
(Belgium, France, North Macedonia, United Kingdom)
Jury Reasoning: For questions usual film conventions, its absurd theatricality, its satiric approach, its non-conventional format and its open to interpretation narrative.
BEST SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN FILM AWARD
‘400 Cassettes’, Thelgia Petraki (Greece, Germany)
Jury Reasoning: For its dreamlike exploration of our desire to delve into the unknown and talk to the stars.
*The award is accompanied by a 1,000-euro prize.
BEST PRODUCTION AWARD “TV5 MONDE”
‘Tragédia’, Bernardo Zanotta (Netherlands, Brazil, France)
Jury Reasoning: For its ad-hoc creativity and its playful transformation of material, and its connection to youthful imagination to adult reality.
SPECIAL MENTION
‘No Mean City’, Ross McClean (United Kingdom)
Jury Reasoning: For its discrete approach to the meaning of change.
INTERNATIONAL SHORT AND GREEN AWARDS
Jury:
Dimitris Kapouranis, actor
Smaro Papaevaggelou, editor, director
Neil Young, film critic, festival program curator
Head Programmer:
Maya Sfakianaki
BEST FILM AWARD
‘Common Pear’, Gregor Božić (Slovenia, United Kingdom)
Jury Reasoning: The past is the crossroads between what is already decided and the future, that remains open. The need to act now, individually and all together, is outlined in this bold film that covers an impressive thematic range, despite its short duration. The roots of many genres are intertwined into a hybrid film that represents artistic ‘recycling’. Through the wreckage of a ruinous dystopia that can still be avoided, the film discovers a seed of hope. Human warmth, humour, and resilience are the superpowers that can support our species with a little help from cinema as an experience that ‘we must share, feel, and watch’
*The award is accompanied by a 4,000-euro prize by CYCLOPS Urban Non Profit Company
SPECIAL JURY AWARD
‘Green’, Dimitris Iosifidis Hokmetidis (Greece)
Jury Reasoning: For its direct and convincing approach, based on trust and compassion developed between the director and those being filmed. It’s a depiction of masculinity, work, and loneliness through an environmentally conscious setting, that engulfs larger political aspects. The film represents something new and fresh for Greek documentaries.
SPECIAL MENTION
‘Darwin’s Darlings’, IIdze Terēze Felsberga, (Latvia)
Jury Reasoning: We also want to congratulate Ansis Landorfs for the direction of photography.
INTERNATIONAL KIDDO COMPETITION PROGRAM AWARDS
The jury consists of the following Drama pupils: Anastasia Antoniadou, Christos Kostis, Anastasia Bountouri, Evaggelia Mytilinaiou, Ourania Hatzikourti
Head Programmer:
Yorgos Aggelopoulos
BEST KIDDO FILM
‘Little Rebels Cinema Club’, Khozy Rizal (Indonesia)
Jury Reasoning: For the protagonist’s moving attempt to transport his friends to the magical world of cinema through a camera, that symbolizes family, friendship, and future dreams, and made us film that dreaming bid starts by conquering small.
*The award is accompanied by a 1,500 euro prize by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents Emilios and Elvira Kakkis, owner of Drama’s first cinema theatre named ‘Mega Cinema’, that years later was renamed ‘Olympia’.
DREAMERS AWARD
‘Fall Christmas’, Kostas Bakouris (Greece)
Jury Reasoning: For showcasing how families with health issues feel. We were touched by the protagonist’s attempt to express his love for his sister, by creating a Christmas musical during fall.
* The award is accompanied by a 1,500 euro prize by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents
RISING KIDDO AWARD
‘The Magic Portal’, Collective 18 Children (Belgium)
Jury Reasoning: For its impressive animation and for showing the value of teamwork and collaboration through the honest eyes of children.
*The award goes to the best film by a child director and comes with a 1,500-euro prize, provided by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD
‘Atlantic’, Alexandros Stamatiadis (Greece)
Jury Reasoning: For its excellent scenography, its warm ambience and humour. For its attempt to create emotions that end up being expressed by life itself.
SPECIAL MENTION
‘Feet Up’, Olli IIpo Salonen (Finland, Lithuania)
Jury Reasoning: For showing us the two opposite worlds of children and parents, trying to find ways to coexist. When things turn upside down, ‘no’ turns into acceptance and understanding.
INDEPENDENT JURY AWARDS
“HUMAN VALUES” AWARD BY THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT
‘I’m Glad You’re Dead Now’, Tawfeek Barhom (Greece, France, Palaistine)
Jury Reasoning: When two brothers return to their birthplace for their father’s funeral, the film’s delicate and masterful approach of trauma from child abuse is highlighted whilst also showing the comfort of a brotherly bond.
*The award is given to an International Competition Program film and is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by the Hellenic Parliament.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS (FIPRESCI) AWARD
‘When You Were Young Were You Afraid of the Moon?’, Phoebe Cottam (United Kingdom, Germany, Palaistine)
Jury Reasoning: A film that tells a story of a family of four strong women and a struggle more necessary than ever that shows the tragic and painful choices people are forced to make.
*The award is given to an International Competition Program film.
ONASSIS CULTURE AWARDS
‘Carcass’, Makis Sempos
‘Mitsi’, Gevi Dimitrakopoulou
*The awards are given to two films from the National Competition Program and each is accompanied by a 5,000-euro prize for the directors’ first feature film.
‘TECHNICAL ADEQUACY’ AWARD BY THE ASSOCIATION OF GREEK FILM AND TELEVISION TECHNICIANS
‘Last Tropics’, Thanasis Troumpoukis
Jury Reasoning: For its technical difficulties of shooting outside and underwater, its choice to have a simple scenography and costume design, as well as quality sound and balanced editing.
GREEK FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD
‘Wolves Return’, Stelios Moraitidis
Jury Reasoning: For the poignancy with which it shows the still-relevant disappearance of those who annoy the powerful.
*The award is given to a National Competition Program Film
GREEK FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD
‘Dust to Dust’, Dimitris Papathanasis
Jury Reasoning: Realistic, satiric, powerful, with an excellent performance by Dimitris Drosos, it depicts a cemetery and the corruption that stretches to every aspect of government agencies, polluting a big portion of the social whole, whilst ignoring human suffering, and seeing death as a real estate opportunity.
*The award is given to a National Competition Program Film
GREEK SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS (G.S.C.)
Nikos Pylarinos
[‘Leuresthes’, by Ioanna Roumelioti.
Jury Reasoning: The film engulfs the viewer in the protagonist’s world from the very first second, while Nikos Pylarinos with his natural light, and his choices to use half-lights, builds a world that embrace the script. The slow motion of the camera and the static shots, create a hypnotic ambience that nudges along the narrative.
The film was part of the National Student Program.
*The award goes to the young filmmaker that participated in one of the two National Competition Programs and is accompanied by a ful set of 3 LED new generation STORM headlights worth 2,500 euros, provided by MANIOS CINE TOOLS and Aputure.
‘FROM DRAMA TO CLERMONT’ AWARD
Alexandros Stamatiadis
The winner participated in the International Competition Kiddo Program with the film ‘Atlantic’
*The award is given to a young Greek director participating in the Festival’s competition programs who will travel to Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival free of cost to participate in the Road to ‘Clermont-Ferrand’ program.
The winner was chosen by a jury by Greek French Institute, GCC and Drama Festival.
AUDIENCE AWARD
‘Volta’, Socrates Mousmoulides
The film was part of the National Student Program
*The award is accompanied by a 500-euro prize, provided by Drama Brewery Johnnies’ Beer.
