Awards 2025

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” – Best film (Professional Category)

‘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” – Best film (Young Filmmakers Category)

‘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.

NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAM AWARDS

Jury:

Sophia Dimopoulou, casting director (Ready2Cast)
Maria Lysikatou, General Director of Trianon, distributor
Dimitris Moutsiakas, director

Ηead Programmer:
Panagiotis Iosifelis

“Frieda Liappa” Best Greek Student Film Award

The award is accompanied by a 5,000-euro prize and provisions for laboratory and post-production activities, offered by the company Stefilm for the director’s next film. The winner is also automatically selected to participate in Thessaloniki’s Film Festival Agora Short Film Lab.

Or How to Disappear, by Giorgos Aggelopoulos

For its energy and daring approach of its story. For the use of different means which serve the purposes of narration. For the kind of cinema we would like to see again.

Best Direction Award

The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro prize, offered by AMKE Bodouroglou. The winner is also automatically selected to participate in Thessaloniki’s Film Festival Agora Short Film Lab.

Leaving Was What She Did Best, by Vassilis Pantelidis

For its targeted direction, excellent guidance of the actors, and provocative alternation of emotions, which heightens the tension right from the start and up until the final act of the film,

Documentary Award

The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro prize, offered by AMKE Bodouroglou.

At the Market, by Kostas Fountas Aloupogiannis

For its masterful depiction of a microcosm with the use of real people, directness, interesting photography, and excellent use of measure.

Best Script Award

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by ANT1 Media Lab.

SLEEP, by Cos Mandis, Jay McNeil

A very clever idea, where the story moves in a way that touches on the existence of man as a political being.

Drama Queer Award

Transwalking, by Efthymia Kotoula

For the depiction of a reality through personal experiences, which showcases the rotten sociopolitical happenings and makes us accomplices and aids for a world of equality.

Best Male Performance Award

Stathis Papadopoulos

[Or How to Disappear, by Giorgos Aggelopoulos]

For a performance that moves organically within the film’s universe and manages to move us and unquestionably immerse us in its imaginary world.

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

Olga Adamopoulou

[The Quiet Weight of Things, by Dimitra Petmeza]

For her incredible verbal and kinetic naturalness. A kind of quiet strength which highlights emotion. With a full understanding of the role, she manages to handle the quiet weight of things.

“Dinos Katsouridis” Photography award

The award is accompanied by full technical coverage for the production of the photographer’s next film, courtesy of the Katsouridis family.

Nikos Pylarinos

[Leuresthes ,by Ioanna Roumelioti]

By masterfully using natural and artificial light, he manages to create a solid visual universe, leaving his mark.

EDITING AWARD

The company Telmaco offers its award-winning film and video editing software Avid Media Composer, provided by Avid Technology.

Stelios Zoidis

[Venus Vidi Vici, by Roxani Varela]

The correct selection and change of shots give rhythm and passion to the film, maintaining our interest up until the end of the story.

SET DESIGN AWARD

Mirto Andronidi

[Prelude to a Supernova, by Christos Artemiou]

For its naturalistic depiction of spaces and their functionality, along with the poignant use of a colour palette which places us in the heroes’ environment in a symbiotic manner.

SOUND DESIGN AWARD

The award is accompanied by Telmaco’s Pro Tools Studio by Avid Technology.

Periklis Liakakis

[Lost Gardenias, by Galateia Lagoutari]

An excellent combination of sound design and music, which manages to create a unique soundscape which harmonises with the emotions which emerge through the image.

SPECIAL MENTION

The Life Cycle of Cicadas, by Ines Perot

A film which pulls you into its world right from the start, and makes you wonder affectionately about the circle of life.

INTERNATION STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAM AWARDS

Jury:

Simone Bardoni, Concorto Film Festival artistic director
Loes van Keulen, selection director at Rotterdam International Film Festival
Maria Drandaki, producer (Homemade Films)

Head Programmer:
Kostis Haramoundanis

 GRAND PRIX

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize offered by the Metropolitan College

Two Point Five Stars, by Sina Lerf, Dario Boger and Dario Marti (Switzerland)

For a hilariously funny script and an idiosyncratic visual language that demonstrates an excellent command of both spatial composition and the intricacy of detail. Two Point Five Stars effortlessly captures its audience through exaggerating the mundane and the relatable into a quirky and absurd range of characters that deserve a rating at least twice as high as its protagonist.

Special Jury Prize “Rising Star”

The award is accompanied by post-production services offered by MetaPost

Embodied, by Chanelle Eidenbenz (United Kingdom)

For directing a tender and disarming performance of the lead actress stepping into a newfound naturalness of relating to those around her. A much-needed, touching tribute to the woman’s body in its full glory and vulnerability.

Drama Queer Award

Pan & Syrinx, by A. Laurel Lawrence (Canada)

For employing a bold aesthetic – both nostalgic and forward – to explore intimacy, queerness, gender and performance, and create a baroque imaginary full of beauty and subversiveness.

Special Mention

Past the Hill of Napoleon’s Hat, Arnas Balčiūnas (Latvia)

For a sensitive portrayal of parent/child dynamics in their full complexity, and the emergence of a singular and cinematic voice.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION COMPETITION PROGRAM AWARDS

Jury:

Anna Feistel, program coordinator and curator at Kurzfilm Festival of Hamburg
Nihan Sivridag, Berninale Shorts program coordinator
Konstantinos Vassilaros, producer (StudioBauhaus)

Head Programmer:
Spyros Siakas

Best Animation Film ‘YANNIS VASILEIADIS’

The award is accompanied by 2,000-euro prize

The Death of the Fish, Eva Lusbaronian (France)

For its moving depiction of pain and depression expressed by an exceptional and moving choreography.

Special Jury Award

The award includes a one-year free membership at ASIFA HELLAS, with the full privileges of a registered member (information, visibility, participation in extroversion animation missions at international forums and festivals, etc).

Mealitancy, by Marie Royer and Zinia Scorier (Belgium)

For colorfully immersing us into a community of activists through the use of audio-field recordings, revealing an alternative way of living in the city and the ability to resist and rebuild against all odds.

Special Mention

On Weary Wings Go By, by Anu-Laura Tuttelberg (Esthonia, Latvia)

For taking us on a journey into the northern landscape, where fragile beings are exposed to the harshness of nature and its changing seasons. A poetic blend of real footage and delicate animation.

PITCHING LAB AWARDS

FINOS FILM AWARD

The award is accompanied by a 2,000-euro prize.

Moonlike, Francesco Lorusso (Italy)

BEST PITCHING FOR DEVELOPMENT AWARD -GREEK CINEMA CENTER

The award is accompanied by a 1,000-euro prize.

Who Is Singing?, by Ana Morina (Kosovo)

ERT Award

The award is accompanied by a 1,000-euro prize.

EO1, by Ruby Mastrodimos (Greece, USA, UK)

‘Stathis Paraskevopoulos’ Mentorship Award

The award is accompanied by script development and improvement sessions on selected design.

Mom Is Alive, Antonis Gkoumas (Greece)