46th Drama International Short Film Festival Awards

46th Drama International Short Film Festival Awards

46th Drama International Short Film Festival Awards

NATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2023

JURY

Lefteris Charitos (President), director, Alexia Roider, artistic director of the Cyprus Short Film Festival, Menos Deliotzakis, director, Alexandra Matthaiou, director/screenwriter, and Asimina Proedrou, director/screenwriter.

GOLDEN DIONYSUS – BEST FILM AWARD

to the film ‘Bearcave’, directed by Krysianna Papadakis and Stergios Dinopoulos

An independent film that stole our hearts by managing to touch upon important issues while remaining penetrating, authentic, and brave. Breaking away from the stereotypical documentations of rural Greece in a way we rarely see in Greek cinema, the film’s creators placed a big bet and won. A film full of daring stylistic contradictions, natural performances, and character complexity, whose two heroines keep us on our toes, despite the film’s long duration. Up until the credits roll, emotion is prevalent, through the reminder that cinema has always needed and will always need real and deeply human stories.

The award is accompanied by the following prizes: Finos Film offers a prize of 4,000 euro, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) offers a prize of 3,000 euro, and the Greek Film Centre offers a prize of 2,500 euro.

SILVER DIONYSUS – “TONIA MARKETAKI” BEST DIRECTION AWARD

to Alexis Koukias-Pantelis, for the film ‘Aerolin’

For his exceptional guidance of the main actress, the tight rhythm and all other elements which effortlessly compose this film, we singled out a film which conveyed successfully and humorously the heroine’s struggle to survive in a modern urban environment, presenting on the big screen a character who ultimately represents a whole generation.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euro offered by the Greek Film Centre, as well as by Post Production services worth 2,500 euro offered by Stefilm, original music composition for the creator’s next project offered by the company Musou, a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year free Premium Member subscription on Crew United’s platform.

DOCUMENTARY AWARD

to the film ‘Light of Light’, directed by Neritan Zinxhiria

By composing a deeply sacramental world through the use of archive material and daring cinematic choices, the director converses with the past, the present and the future, and expands time. We selected a deeply poetic and existential film for this award.

The award is accompanied by a 3,500-euro prize offered by the Greek Film Centre and a 1,000-euro prize offered by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).

BEST SCRIPT AWARD

to Michalis Mathoudiakis and Alexis Koukias-Pantelis for the film ‘Aerolin’, directed by Alexis Koukias-Pantelis

A script which handles the short film form masterfully and economically, while remaining consistent to the tone and dramatic development of its heroine.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euro, offered by the Greek Film Centre.

DRAMA QUEER AWARD

to the film ‘Buffer Zone’, directed by Savvas Stavrou

The film reminded us that, beyond any man-made or other border, love will always prevail as the ultimate affirmation of life and hope.

The award is accompanied by a cash prize of 2,000 euro, offered by Onassis Culture.

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

to the film ‘The first setting sun of summer’, directed by Asteris Tziolas

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

to Andreas Markou, for his performance in the film ‘Buffer Zone’, directed by Savvas Stavrou

We decided to present this award to a young actor who managed to convey the hero’s struggle in a sensitive, natural, and innocent way, in stark contrast to the toxic masculinity environment which surrounds him.

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

to Chara Kyriazi, for her performance in the film ‘Bearcave’, directed by Stergios Dinopoulos

To the actress that moved us with a refreshingly authentic and realistic performance. Through a personal and austere performance, the actress makes us privy to the emotional state of a heroine who, even when remaining silent, manages to tell us everything.

BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD

to Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos and Stelios Koupetoris for the film ‘Midnight Skin’, directed by Manolis Mavris

For the atmospheric building of an idiosyncratic dystopia which follows the viewer around throughout the duration of the film.

BEST SOUND AWARD

to Nikos Konstantinou for the film ‘Unorthodox’, directed by Konstantinos Antonopoulos

For its integral sound engineering in a highly demanding natural environment.

Sound design services and 5.1 surround mixing by Costas Chrysogelos & DIAL

BEST EDITING AWARD

to Marios Kleftakis, for the film ‘Arizones’, directed by Giorgos Iliopoulos

For its skilled, thorough, delicate and precise editing, which, through its paced rhythm manages to immerse the viewer into the hero’s subjective world.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

to Manu Tilinski for the film ‘Midnight Skin’, directed by Manolis Mavris

High quality photography, both aesthetically and technically intact, which showcases the director’s particular aesthetic in every frame, and takes the viewer on a journey through a world which tiptoes between the realistic, the metaphysical, the dreamlike, and the subconscious.

The award is accompanied by a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year Premium Member membership on Crew United’s platform.

ORIGINAL MUSIC AWARD

to Petros Sotiropoulos & The Aqua Barons for the film ‘Crossing’, directed by Aineias Tsamatis and Katerina Mavrogeorgi

For its distinct identity which plays a decisive part in the film’s universe.

“IOULIA STAVRIDOU” COSTUME AWARD

to Rectifier + Tzo for the film ‘Good Girls Club: A Virginity Odyssey’, directed by Lida Vartzioti and Dimitris Tsakaleas

For imaginatively combining the element of kitsch with the freshness of pop aesthetic, through a variety of outfit choices.

SET DESIGN AWARD

to Artemis Flessa for the film ‘Crossing’, directed by Aineias Tsamatis and Katerina Mavrogeorgi

For the excellent construction of a set which defines the film’s world in full and organic connection with the natural environment.

The award is accompanied by a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year free Premium Member membership on Crew United’s platform.

SPECIAL EFFECTS AWARD

to Kameleon Studio (Prosthetics) Morgan Hildebrand / Aurelia Monnier, for the film ‘Midnight Skin’, directed by Manolis Mavris

For the impressively masterful design of the film’s special effects, which are incorporated naturally in the transcendental universe of the film.

MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING AWARD

to Elina Trantou, for the film ‘Good Girls Club: A Virginity Odyssey’, directed by Lida Vartzioti and Dimitris Tsakaleas

For the consistency which is used to serve the overall aesthetic of the film.

JURY REASONING

Another festival reaches its end; a week full of films, with both new and seasoned filmmakers gathering in the welcoming city of Drama, and, most of all, with cinemas full to capacity for every screening.

At the same time that Yorgos Lanthimos is honoured with the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and Drama celebrates the short film form, our country is drowning from end to end and sees people use senseless and shocking violence against their fellow man. When we consider all these happenings, we cannot be celebrating anything.

However, Art exists to bring us face to face with darkness and to ultimately lead us towards the light. And this is what the 35 films competing in the National Competition Programme did, in the midst of all this devastation.

The Jury of the National Competition Programme of the 46th Drama International Short Film Festival considers it its obligation to highlight certain positive elements, as well as certain problematic aspects.

Let us start with the positives.

We were happy to note a plethora of subjects being addressed this year: Human relationships, childhood, the multiple forms of violence, the coming-of-age process, life in rural Greece, and many others. We watched noteworthy first filmmaking attempts by new artists, as well as works by seasoned creators of the Festival. This goes to show that short film can function as a standalone category and is not necessarily, as it was previously thought, a mere first step towards feature film.

Furthermore, we saw many remarkable independent productions. This demonstrates the persistence of creators who will not wait for State aid in order to make their films. Despite the fact that the Greek Film Centre and the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation consistently support the creation of short films, independent production is intensified and firmly shows that there is an alternative way.

Finally, we saw in improvement in both the artistic and the technical quality of production. Watching the beautiful short film of this year’s Festival, created by Artistic Director Yannis Sakaridis, we can see that quality is on a steady upward course. One can no longer discern a short film just by a still. Furthermore, the quality of costume, set, and sound design all function to masterfully serve the script.

In an effort to provide constructive criticism to new creators, we feel the need to mention a few points of concern.

Judging by the level of this year’s film selection, we would like to encourage creators to experiment with more film genres and techniques. Additionally, with narrative films constituting the greater part of the selection, we suggest that creators further develop the dramaturgy, explore character depth, and incorporate authenticity and time economy, elements which will all lead to a more effective management of the short film form.

With this year’s achievement of inclusion in the list for the Oscars nominations, the Drama International Short Film Festival seems to be becoming one of the most important festivals in the world. This brings all of us participants face to face with a process of constant maturing, which cannot be overlooked. I am particularly happy that I shared the jury duty with many prominent and unique colleagues, and we all enjoyed talking passionately about film during the days of the Festival.

I would like to personally thank the Festival’s Artistic Director Yannis Sakaridis, who honoured me with the position of Jury President, and to also wish that this institution will continue to grow and mature, as the years go by.

Lefteris Charitos, director
President of the Jury of the National Competition Programme 2023

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME 2023 AWARDS

JURY

Eva Stefani (President), director, Philip Ilson, Artistic Director of the London Film Festival, Marie-Pauline Mollaret, head of the short film selection at the Cannes Film Festival, cinema critic

GRAND PRIX 2023

to the film ‘AQUERONTE’, directed by Manuel Muñoz Rivas from Spain

A film which presents the rare qualities of purely visual cinema: clarity, spirituality, the ability to perceive reality with eyes both open and closed, paired with masterful sound design. The film is also a reminder of the power of water, a force of the earth which can be equally vital and destructive, as we have witnessed in our country recently.

The award is accompanied by a 4,000-euro prize, offered by the company Raycap.

BEST DIRECTION AWARD

to the film ‘THE OPEN HOUSE’, directed by Julieta Lasarte from Spain

Through archival material and family footage, the film offers a masterfully executed cinematic vision, while simultaneously maintaining a discreet approach to issues of personal memory, trauma, and loss. At the same time, the film is a discreet celebration of life.

BEST SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN FILM AWARD

to the film ‘UNORTHODOX’, directed by Konstantinos Antonopoulos from Greece

A black comedic approach to history, which pokes fun on family and religion, making the viewer simultaneously laugh and question, through a clever undermining of these institutions.

BEST PRODUCTION AWARD “TV5 MONDE”

to the Ajabu Ajabu collective, for the film ‘APOSTLES OF CINEMA’ from Tanzania

We absolutely love this ode to the power of collective and popular cinema. The way people meet to experience strong images on the big screen and talk excitedly about everything they watched is what brings all of us here in Drama. At the same time, it is equally important to see this experience in the cities and villages of Tanzania, where the DJs breathe life into a film and the ‘bandas’ invite the communities to share into the magic of cinema.

GRAND AWARD OF THE JURY

to the film ‘MIDNIGHT SKIN’, directed by Manolis Mavris from Greece

A film that astounds us with its masterful use of set design and photography direction. An ambitious and sophisticated film that depicts the tendency of dreams to progressively corrupt reality, exposing the desire hidden beneath the surface of habit.

EFA CANDIDACY DRAMA – European Film Academy Award Nomination for Best Short Film

To the film AQUERONTE, directed by Manuel Muñoz Rivas.  M astounds us with its masterful use of set design and photography direction.

The power of the image and the importance of sound are perfectly aligned in a film that confidently observes with a spiritual eye. Time and space is blurred as we see a myriad of people in this mysterious landscape framed by a misty early morning and across day and night as they silently travel to an unknown destiny.

SPECIAL MENTION

to Ian Capille for the film ‘THE RIVER AND THE LABYRINTH’ from Portugal and Brazil

A story about friendships and relationships which were lost and found again unfolds through the recollections of two young Brazilian women living in Lisbon. The film eavesdrops on their personal conversations and spies on their private and special moments, in order to paint a moving portrait of the life of young people today.

SPECIAL MENTION

to the film ‘THE AGE OF INNOCENCE’ by Maximilian Bungarten from Germany

We would like to showcase a film which constantly surprised us with its unique narration and extremely personal tone.

NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2023

JURY

Kyriakos Aggelakos (President), director/producer/screenwriter, Ilektra Venaki, monteuse, head of the Film Restoration Laboratory of the Greek Film Archive Foundation, Maria Komninou, President of the Board of the National Film Archive of Greece, Emeritus Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Lecturer in the Cultural and Cinema Studies Postgraduate Programme

“Frida Liappa” Best Greek Student Film Award

to the film ‘The Parade’, directed by Michalis Galanopoulos

A coming-of-age film set in modern-day Athens, which showcases the social issue of racism and the contradictory manifestations of youth culture, through its excellent writing which manages to convey pure emotion.

The award is accompanied by a 5,000-euro prize.

The award is also accompanied by provisions for laboratory and post-production activities, offered by the company Stefilm for the director’s next film.

BEST DIRECTION AWARD

to Nikos Kolioukos, for the film ‘The Chaos She Left Behind’

For its sturdy handling of the subject of father-daughter relationships, the exquisite direction of the actors, the wonderfully claustrophobic movement of the camera, the avoidance of stereotypes and the showcasing of a humanistic attitude towards the depiction of the heroes.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,000 euro, sponsored by Michael Bodouroglou, as well as by a six-month contract for a paid internship at the company Green Pixel.

SCREENPLAY AWARD

to Nina Alexandraki for the film ‘A Diary of Sexual Solitude’, directed by Nina Alexandraki

For its exceptional structure, the escalation of the narration, and its daring and humorous confessions, elements which are all combined with the moving image that both cancels and complements the confessions about the female orgasm.

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by the ANT1 Screenplay School.

“DINOS KATSOURIDIS” PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

to Giorgos Karavoulias, for the film ‘How to Light a Cigarette Without Burning Yourself’, directed by Konstantinos Spanoudakis

For his exemplary use of lighting, particularly during the sex scenes, which highlight the power of the flesh, as well as for the correct combination of natural and artificial lighting.

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

The award is also accompanied by a six-month contract for a paid internship at the Green Pixel company.

EDITING AWARD

to Antoine Flahaut, for the film ‘The Parade’, directed by Michalis Galanopoulos

For the exceptional rhythm which harmoniously combines various characters and situations, in order to primarily highlight the emotion which stems from the story itself and creates an almost erotic flow to the filmic event.

The company Green Pixel makes their award-winning editing suite available for the winner’s next film.

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

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

to Fabricio Muco for the film ‘Greenhouse’, directed by George Georgakopoulos

For its immediacy, sensitivity, and physicality, which are all conveyed in every single scene of the film.

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

to Marina Siotou for the film ‘The Chaos She Left Behind’, directed by Nikos Kolioukos

For its inwardness which works to transform anger into tenderness, as well as for the actress’s full control of her expressive means.

DOCUMENTARY AWARD

to Dimitris Kechris for the film ‘Athens, My Love’

For its extremely personal gaze realised via the form of an essay documentary, and for its reflection on the modern history of Athens, where the defeated past demands justice.

The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro prize, sponsored by Michalis Bodouroglou.

SET DESIGN AWARD

to Anastasia Mastrakouli, for the film ‘The Little Doggie’, directed by Giorgos Ntounis

For its consistent and creative curation of elements showcasing the complexity of different countries, through a comprehensive, consistent, and attentive to detail aesthetic.

The award is accompanied by a six-month contract for a paid internship at the Green Pixel company.

SOUND DESIGN AWARD

to Massimo Del Gaudio for the film ‘The Parade’, directed by Michalis Galanopoulos

For its complexity and masterful use of the sound band, which allows the co-existence of multiple stories and places both within and outside the frame, and which creates a rich audio world which enfolds the heroes, the places, the situations, and the viewers.

The award is accompanied by a six-month contract for a paid internship at Green Pixel.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION AWARDS 2023

JURY

Florian Fernandez-Canto, coordinator of the Cannes Court Metrage Rendez-Vous industry, Anne Gaschutz, artistic director of the Film Festival in Dresden, Thanos Tokakis, director, actor

GRAND PRIX STUDENT: Almost Famous

to the film ‘Klette’ by Michael Abay from Belgium

Achieving a delicate balance between youthful carefreeness and harsh reality, this coming-of-age film invades a seemingly carefree yet actually harsh life, with a penetrative gaze. For its powerful narration which makes us privy to the unbearable pressure of achieving success in the future, as well as for the exceptional portrayal by the main actress.

The film is accompanied by a 1,500-euro cash prize, offered by Metropolitan College.

Queer Student Award “ Loud & Proud”

to the film ‘Kokuryo: The Untold Story of bb. Undas 2019’ by Diokko Manuel Dionisio from the Philippines

For its raw approach to storytelling, lovingly portrayed characters and quick-witted humour. Friendship and loyalty are tested in this tale of two queer protagonists who venture into the night after a beauty pageant gone awry. Meandering between the farcical and hard-hitting reality, this film uses the element of the absurd to highlight the trials and discrimination transgender people face on a daily basis.

Special Jury Award “Rising Star”

to the film ‘PHALÈNE’ by Sarah–Anaïs Desbenoit from France

Through a particularly delicate aesthetic, and without being focused on the narration, this short stands out as a call for tenderness and care in a world stuck in repetition. When replicating gestures becomes a way of subjugation and leads to servitude, there is no other choice than to question if the latent calmness isn’t hiding the enslavement of the women we witness in this polished setup.

DISTRIBUTION AWARD

to the film ‘Sea Urchin’ by Alex Scholz from Greece

The Distribution Award is sponsored by Radiator IP Sales, and is presented to a Greek film of the programme. The award offers representation for the development of a comprehensive commercial strategy targeting buyers abroad (TV stations and platforms).

SHORT AND GREEN AWARDS 2023

JURY

Yorgos Gousis (President), director, Sofia Stavrianidou, director of the Greek Film Festival Berlin, Natasa Christia, curator, journalist, and educator in the field of artistic photography.

DRAMA GREEN AWARD

to the film ‘SEAGULLS SCREAM ON THE WEEKEND’, directed by Maria Stuut and Frederik Stuut from the Netherlands

The Drama Green Award is presented to a film that managed to successfully present a scientific research project with a poetic and cinematic gaze, through fictionally elevating a documentary-making convention in a soft, humorous, and emotional manner.

The award is accompanied by a 4,000-euro prize, offered by CYCLOPS AMKE

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

to the film ‘TIME TO LIVE’, directed by Hawar Rahimi

Production: Iraqi Kurdistan, Islamic Republic of Iran

The Special Jury Award is presented to a film that, by focusing initially on a rural woman performing caregiving duties, manages to turn our gaze to the primordial and equal symbiosis of man and animal.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION PROGRAMME 2023 AWARDS

JURY

Jutta Wille, director of AGKurzFilm, producer, Alekos Papadatos, animator/director, Anthi Samartzidou, illustrator

BEST ANIMATION FILM – ASIFA HELLAS YANNIS VASILEIADIS AWARD

To Alec Green and Finbar Watson for the film ‘TEACUPS’

The jury believes that this film combines a high artistic quality and an elevated production level with the element of compassion to the human soul, conveying, thus, its message masterfully and successfully. The directors do not try to manipulate the feelings of the audience by using the protagonist’s traumatic experience, but rather prefer to showcase his decision to act in this very personal way. The choice to employ animation to depict this non-fictional subject, as well as the use of the voice of the particular narrator, both contribute to the plausibility and perceptibility of the film. We particularly appreciate the directors, who managed to find the appropriate imagery to depict the thoughts and actions of the protagonist, which do not render exclusively the things described by the narrator.

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

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

to the film ‘The Tornado Outside’, directed by Maria Tomazou

Production: United Kingdom

A film that masterfully combines artistic quality and integrity in terms of production. The film relays its story with skill, humour, and intelligence. Many films of the animation programme have touched upon the notion of the fragility of the human soul, as we live in a chaotic, unknown, unbalanced and even evil world. The particular quality of this film hides in the compassion with which it approaches this difficult idea. On the one hand, it helps the viewer playfully connect with the problems and concerns of the protagonist, while on the other, it restores the feelings of safety, certainty, and balance through the course of the story, resulting in a relieving catharsis. We believe it to be a deeply human and emotional film.

KIDDO AWARDS 2023

Jury

*The jury of the KIDDO Programme is composed by children and teenagers between the ages of 11-18:

Petros Georgiadis, Tatiana Mavridou, Anna Panagiotopoulou, Christos Sapanidis, Vasiliki Stefanidou

BEST KIDDO FILM

to the film ‘Crab Day’ by Ross Stringer from the United Kingdom

A film that emotionally combines a simple artistic style with a straightforward yet deep meaning. The conception of the film shows us that we don’t need to follow the wrong ideas of a society in order to fit in. Instead, one must love and strive to be the best version of themselves. Love and compassion can transform us all into something good.

SPECIAL MENTION

to the film ‘Ativio, Pieces of Wood’ by Juliette Boucheny from France and Togo

A film that renders its story with creativity, tenderness, humour, and emotion. The conception of this film shows us that we all naturally have an inner guide in our hearts, which protects us and helps us find ourselves. The support children get from people in their lives gives them the hope and encouragement to follow their dreams.

DRAMA PITCHING LAB AWARDS 2023

We are delighted to be here for the tenth year in a row, and we have had the pleasure to once again welcome participants from all around the world, who felt it important to visit the festival taking place in this small city of Greece; this city which, thanks to this institution, has become so large, that it can embrace many different ideas, concerns, images, and talents from many different countries.

For our small team, comprised by myself, Georgina Kakoudaki, and John Stevens, the yearly reception of applications by new artists from all around the world is always a lesson; by receiving approximately 120 film drafts, we instantly get a taste of how the rest of the world is thinking at that moment. These are the themes we discovered this year: anxiety about survival, about people, cities, and the entire planet. We saw places we barely know, where people struggle to survive, something that we, the members of the privileged white race, cannot even imagine. We saw films that touched on subjects like trauma and memory of the past, personal and collective stories, compassion, reconciliation, and, ultimately, the highly coveted healing.

This is why we firmly believe that our workshop at the Pitching Lab is not only useful for the preparation of adequate drafts which will succeed in getting funding, but also for showcasing good ideas, so that they can be made into great films.

Barbara Douka

FINOS FILM AWARD

to the film ‘The Station’ by Dimitris Kotselis from Greece

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

GREEK FILM CENTRE AWARD

Best Pitching for Development

to the film ‘My Tears, a Sea for Jakarta to Sink’, by Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto from Indonesia

The award is accompanied by a 2,000-euro prize offered by the Greek Film Centre.

STATHIS PARASKEVOPOULOS AWARD

to the film ‘Heaven on Earth’ by Martin Vallejos from Chile

and to the film ‘The Blind Man at the End of the World’ by Jake Muñoz Consing from the Philippines

The awards are accompanied by sessions for the further development and correction of scripts for selected drafts.

Wishing to honour the memory of our dear colleague and mentor Stathis Paraskevopoulos, the Drama International Short Film Festival and the Pitching Lab team have decided to rename the guidance and mentorship awards, so that they will bear his name: These are the Stathis Paraskevopoulos Awards.

“HUMAN VALUES” AWARD BY THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT

to the film ‘Aqueronte’ by Manuel Muñoz Rivas from Spain

An exceptional cinematic allegory about life and death, inspired by Greek mythology.

The Hellenic Parliament presents the “Human Values” award to a film from the International Competition Programme.

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by the Hellenic Parliament.

DEVELOPMENT AWARD (ONASSIS FILM DEVELOPMENT GRANT)

to the film ‘Super’ by Nikolas Kouloglou from Greece

The Onassis Award is presented to a film that touches upon the themes of chemistry, love, and the decay of human relationships in a modern world where everything is expendable, through a spontaneous, daring, and honest approach.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 10,000 euro for the development of the director’s first feature film.

FILM SOCIETIES AWARDS 2023

Greek Society of Cinematographers (G.S.C.)

GSC 2023 Merit

to Sotiris Tzatzakis for the film ‘The First Setting Sun of Summer’, directed by Asteris Tziolas

For its exceptional image, which remained consistently focused on the particular needs of the film’s script.

Jury

Giorgos Valsamis, Konstantinos Koukoulios, Giorgos Frentzos

REASONING

The Greek Society of Cinematographers is happy to be part of the National Competition Programme of the Drama International Short Film Festival for yet another year. We are following the development of visual narration in cinema with great interest, and particularly in festivals like the Drama International Short Film Festival, where both prominent and experienced colleagues are participating, as well as many new creators. And, once again this year, we are presenting our Best Filmmaking Award to a new creator.

The lens captures the warm light of summer, the rays and shadows of the sun, the vivid colours. It follows the film’s protagonists, the children, in their games both by the sea and inside it. Thanks to the use of the 4:3 frame, we experience nostalgia through the imagery and we travel back to a time of carefree childhood.

The award of the GSC is accompanied by a 2,000-euro prize, offered by the AN-MAP Film Lab image editing laboratory, for Colour Correction and DCP services to be used in the award-winning filmmaker’s next film.

Greek Union of Film, Television and Audiovisual Technicians

“Technical Integrity” Award

to Mary Kolonia for the film ‘The Armchair on the Pavement”

For accomplishing a functionally structured result derived from the whole set of cinematic specialties.

Greek Film Critics Association Award

to the film ‘Crossing’ by Aineias Tsamatis and Katerina Mavrogeorgi

For its tender depiction of the co-existence of two incompatible characters, which is abruptly interrupted by unexpected love and the inevitability of death.

The Greek Film Critics Association is always present at the Drama International Short Film Festival, which is the most important institution for the promotion of new creators in our country. In the body of the 35 films competing in this year’s National Competition Programme, this one stood out for us.

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS (FIPRESCI) AWARD

to the film ‘The Silence of the Banana Trees’ By Eneos Carka

Production: Hungary, Portugal, Albania, Belgium

For its sensitive approach and its composition of observations (through the camera) and documentations of a real-life story. The power of love and familial bonds brings people together, even when they are far apart.

FEDERATION OF CINEMATIC CLUBS OF GREECE (OKLE) AWARD

to the film ‘Aerolin’, directed by Alexis Koukias-Pantelis

For its textured and realistic depiction of a young artist’s everyday struggle to survive. Her stressful, daily battle in adverse and suffocating conditions is recorded through a dynamic narration and an intense and flowing pace, and the film is elevated through the main actress’s expressive performance.

AUDIENCE AWARD 2023

to the film ‘A Piece of Liberty’, directed by Antigoni Kapaka

46th Drama International Short Film Festival

46th Drama International Short Film Festival

46th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

4-10 SEPTEMBER 2023

With a diverse program of 182 films from 41 countries, the 46th Drama International Short Film Festival will take place on September 4-10, 2023 in Drama.

The 46th DISFF has everything: 64 Greek films, seven (7) competition sections, student films, Cinematherapy, Short Film Hub, networking, workshops, green films, films for kids, films by kids… and two “tickets” to participate in the Oscars® Academy Awards! From the 4th to the 10th of September we see the future of cinema, in Drama…

This year, the President of the Jury of the National Competition Programme will be the director Lefteris Charitos and the International Competition Programme will be chaired by the documentary filmmaker Eva Stefani, while the programme includes, among others, a tribute to German cinema, Ukrainian queer short films, animation screenings from Portugal and Spain, and the “LAGFF Travels to Drama” project.

The Festival begins its 46th edition with the realisation of a long-held dream: the operation, since a few months ago, of the l Undergraduate Department of Film Studies in Drama by the Hellenic Open University, which offers distance learning and live workshops in the city of Drama.

In addition, we have wonderful news: from this year onwards, the films that receive the top awards- Golden Dionysos and the Grand Prix in both the National and International Competitions will automatically secure the coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscars®. The affiliation with the Academy Awards® will grant DISFF the extra impetus it needs to fulfil its role to the utmost.

The National Competition Programme and the International Competition are once again complemented by the International Student Programme and the National Student Programme. At the same time, International Animation and Short & Green Competition Programmes continue their successful course, while last but not least is the innovative Cinematherapy Programme, which joined the schools again this year and travelled within and beyond the borders.

This year marks the launch of the new KIDDO competition programme with films for and by children and the Short Film Hub, which aspires to form ties between talented directors, screenwriters and producers with the international and domestic film industry –while there is an even stronger presence of the Greek Film Centre.

This year’s edition, with Yannis Sakaridis as artistic director and Yorgos Demertzis as president for the fourth year, will be held simultaneously in physical spaces and online. Through the platform the films will be accessible, with free admission, throughout Greece.

ONLINE FESTIVAL

The 46th DISFF will take place at the Olympia Cinema and the Municipal Music School of Drama (Antonis Papadopoulos Hall), at the open-air cinema Alexandros, in the garden of the Cyclops Cultural Centre, and at the Eleftheria multi-purpose café (at the junction of Venizelos and Kountouriotou streets).

In the coming days, the festival will utilize the former Andrikakis military camp, which will be transformed into a state-of-the-art centre for audiovisual arts in Drama, while the modernisation of the infrastructure of the Municipal Music School and the Olympia Cinema is underway.

The Drama Festival collaborates with: Greek Film Centre (EKK), the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME), RAYCAP, CYCLOPS,  Green Pixel,  the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), Cosmote TV,  Onassis Culture and many other bodies, with the full support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Hellenic Parliament, and of course the Municipality of Drama.

Here you will find the daily programme of the festival:

SCHEDULE

“INTERNAL – REFLECTION” – 46th DISFF OFFICIAL TRAILER

The Drama Festival honours the 46 years of the National Competition Section with a nostalgic short film that is this year’s official trailer.

Four characters, 46 years old, representing their generation, reminisce, converse with themselves and other people in their lives, aspire and continue to dream, during a short personal journey, on foot, focused on a deeply internal reflection, as a film shot would be.

The film “INTERNAL – Reflection” makes a symbolic reference to all the Greek filmmakers, who in the long course of the Festival, took their first timid but crucial steps in Drama, evolved, returned or even flew even higher and further. 62 indicatively selected films from the first Festival, up to last year’s 45th Festival, which have been screened and competed, stand next to the 35 new films of this year’s National Competition, and together they become part of this story.

The Festival’s Artistic Director Yannis Sakaridis is the director and editor, while the script was written by Vasilis Terzopoulos. The four characters are voiced by, alphabetically: Phoebus Delivorias, Aris Dimokidis, Nadia Kontogeorgi, Denise Nikolakou. The music is composed by 10-year-old composer and piano soloist Stelios Kerasidis, and is kindly provided by the composer and Minos EMI, a Universal Music Company. The titles and post production were edited by I.M. Christodoulou. The Festival cordially thanks all the filmmakers who willingly provided their films. A production of the Cultural Organization –Drama’s Short Film Festival.

You can watch the film “INTERNAL – Reflection” at the following link:

#DISFF46 OFFICIAL TRAILER | ΕΣΩΤΕΡΙΚΟ - ΣΤΟΧΑΣΜΟΣ

THE FESTIVAL PLATFORM

Those who wish to attend the 46th DISFF online, should visit the festival platform https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/online-festival/ (they can also access it via the website https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr from the link online festival) and follow the instructions. The films will be available from 9/4.

Admission is FREE for all online festival content including the seven (7) competition sections. The award-winning films will remain available on the platform until September 11.

GREEK COMPETITION

The National Competition Programme, with Yannis Sakaridis as head programmer, features 35 films directed by 26 men and 13 women. You will find the list here:

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/festival/greek-competition/

Dozens of popular actors star in the films, which this year surprise with their theme and aesthetics. Indicatively we mention:

Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos (with a record number of participations), Romanna Lobach, Efthalia Papakosta, Argyris Pandazaras, Homer Poulakis, Andreas Konstantinou, Elena Topalidou, Kostas Vassardanis, Vassilis Koutsogiannis, Sofia Kokkali, Haris Fragoulis, Penelope Tsilika, Yiannis Papadopoulos, Ivonni Maltezou, Sofia Seirli, Despina Kourti, Giannis Tsortekis, Karafil Shena, Christos Sugaris, Giannis Anastasakis, Dimitris Kapetanakos, Smaragda Smyrnaiou and Dimitra Vlagopoulou, who has just returned from Locarno after receiving the award for best acting performance in the film “Animal” by Sofia Exarchou.

Also appearing: Aris Servetalis, Nikolakis Zeginoglou, Alexandros Logothetis, Angeliki Papathemeli, Katerina Zisoudi, Thanos Tokakis, Aris Troupakis, Katerina Misichroni, Panagos Ioakeim and many others.

New directors, who are going to be discussed, are competing, as well as several festival’s familiar faces who have been distinguished in the past and have even won the Golden Dionysus -such as Neritan Zinxhiria and Manolis Mavris.

There is also a comeback to the genre of the short form by directors who have long since moved on to feature films, such as Alexandros Voulgaris (The Boy), Panagiotis Fafoutis and Giorgos Servetas.

In addition, this year, we will also see some young filmmakers who are following in the artistic footsteps of their fathers, forming however their own personal style (as Alexander Voulgaris has been doing from his first steps): from Nikolas Kouloglou and Antigoni Kapaka, to Phoebus Imellos and Nick J. Pelecanos, son of the famous writer George Pelecanos, who even co-wrote the script of his son’s English-language film.

There will also be some well-known directors who play or appear as actors: from Fotos Lambrinos (in a leading role), to Giannis Soldatos and Giorgos Fourtounis. But also actors making their debut as directors, such as Aeneas Tsamatis and Katerina Mavrogeorgis, or theatre directors, such as Martha Bouziouri.

The writer and screenwriter Kallia Papadaki also makes her debut as a director – and speaking of writers, we will see a film based on a short story by Giorgos Skabardonis, another one based on a screenplay by Konstantinos Tzamiotis, and another inspired by an article by Stathis Tsagarousianos.

The exploration of sexuality, erotic relationships between women, the “first time”, as well as separation, occupy an important part of this year’s films. Family relationships, especially the son-mother relationship, friendships that are tested, loss and coping with grief, childhood memories and childhood trauma continue to inspire short film directors once again; as do the burning social issues that plague modern Greece: racism, suicides, seas washing up the bodies of immigrants, women’s trafficking, femicide, police violence, obscurantism and bigotry, terrorism, prison. The Calvary of today’s young actors trying to survive is also present and period films, even of the Civil War era, are not absent, while comedies a la Greek remain scarce.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

The Festival, which this year marks 29 years since its internationalisation, will screen 20 films from all over the world (from Canada to China, and from Australia to Tanzania).

You will find the full list here: https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/festival/international-competition/

This year, the International Programme, with Yorgos Zois as head programmer, features five (5) Greek films that are worthy competitors of international festival highlights:

*Light from Light, signed by Neritan Zinxhiria, is a film that premiered at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam and takes us on a journey to the mystical atmosphere of Mount Athos.

*Nikolas Kouloglou’s Super is about a love with unexpected aspects, in a supermarket.

*Unorthodox by Konstantinos Antonopoulos with the (anti-)hero being a heretic Forerunner, forgotten by the Byzantine authorities, who tries to survive by appealing to the kindness of strangers.

*A satirical stop motion animation, Ready by Eirini Vianelli, which introduces us to the unknown world of the Greek Parliament and its employees.

*And also Midnight Skin by award-winning director Manolis Mavris, with Romanna Lobach in a surprising role – a film that comes to us from the Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week.

Same Old, a Canadian realistic drama set in New York, is also coming from Cannes, while the French, disarmingly human drama Les chenilles – which won the Berlin Golden Bear – is coming from Berlinale.

The programme also includes an imaginative short documentary from Tanzania, Apostles of Cinema, which brings us into contact with the country’s unique film culture, as well as poetic documentaries from Spain, such as the International Film Festival of Rotterdam’s favourite Aqueronte, and some moving premieres such as Open House and Hold On For Dear Life.

THE OTHER FIVE COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMES:

On the Festival’s website https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr you will find all the films participating in the competitive sections of the Festival along with the texts accompanying them. Here you will get an idea:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAMME

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/festival/international-student-competition/

Fourteen (14) films will be screened, including two (2) Greek films, in which animals dominate this year: lizards, cows, fish, sea urchins, and their relationship with humans. Lots of love, but also violence. In addition, we will see films about the much-discussed diversity and human sexuality in its various manifestations. Other entries head down more timeless paths, subject wise, talking about burning political issues, while others are about human relationships and their difficulty.

Head Programmer of the International Student Competition Programme: Thanasis Neofotistos

NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAMME

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/national-student-competition/

The programme includes 25 films from eleven (11) educational institutions in Greece and abroad; public and private, of undergraduate and postgraduate education. Among them are fiction, documentary and animation films. They represent almost every technical and aesthetic approach to audiovisual storytelling, while they cover a particularly wide range of themes – stories of relationships, identity, inclusion and isolation, social criticism and self-criticism, trauma management, personal and social responsibility.

The film Justis by Aggelos Barai and Nikitas Sifonios, an interview with the father of Nikos Sambanis, who was shot dead after a police chase, will be screened out of competition, bringing to the fore the tragic consequences of prejudice and racism towards a vulnerable social group.

Head Programmer: Panagiotis Iosifelis

SHORT AND GREEN

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/short–and–green/

Fifteen (15) films, which stood out from the total number of submissions to the Festival, constitute -each with its own form, visual perspective and approach to the thematic axis (environment) that intersects the specific programme- a chain of stimuli and concerns, attempting, not to wag a finger at the viewer, but to take the viewer on a less ordinary cinematic journey, and implant a small seed of redefining his or her relationship with the natural environment.

The Greek entry, Eirini Tzoulia’s Lumen, takes us to Mati, on 23 July 2018 – the site of the second deadliest fire in the history of the 21st century…

Head Programmer: Vasilis Terzopoulos

KIDDO

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/festival/kiddo/

Kiddo, the new section of the festival, features fourteen (14) films – including two (2) Greek films made by young people and children. Films that address issues such as racism, diversity, life motivation in young people, animal rights and the environment. An ambitious programme that we hope and believe will flourish and develop into an important programme for the children competing and for the children of the city of Drama who will attend.

Head Programmer: Elena Mavridou

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION COMPETITION PROGRAMME

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/animation/

Seventeen (17) animation films will be screened, including four (4) Greek ones, created with a variety of techniques and aesthetic trends, in genres ranging from fiction to experimental animation and documentary. Films that delve into human relationships, highlighting various aspects such as loneliness, old age and the exploration of sexuality, as well as films that delve into the relationship between man and his environment.

Head Programmer: Spyros Siakas

THE JURY COMMITTEES OF 46th DISFF

* The jury of the National Competition Programme consists of:

Lefteris Charitos (President), director, Alexia Roider, artistic director of the Cyprus International Short Film Festival, Menos Deliotzakis,  director, Alexandra Matthaiou, director/screenwriter, and Asimina Proedrou, director/screenwriter. 

*The jury of the International Competition Programme consists of:

Eva Stefani  (President), director, Philip Ilson, artistic director of the London Film Festival, and Marie–Pauline Mollaret, head of the short film selection segment of the Cannes Film Festival/ film critic.

*The jury of the International Student Competition Programme consists of:

Florian Fernandez–Canto, coordinator of the Cannes Court Métrage Rendez-vous Industry, Anne Gaschutz, artistic director of the Filmfest Dresden and Thanos Tokakis, director/actor.

*The jury of the National Student Competition Programme consists of:

Kyriakos Aggelakos (President), director/producer/screenwriter, Electra Venaki, editor, head of the Digital Lab of the Greek Film Archive, and Maria Komninou, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Greek Film Archive, Emeritus Professor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, lecturer in the Postgraduate Programme “Cultural and Film Studies”.

*The jury of the Short and Green Programme consists of:

Yorgos Goussis (President), director, Sofia Stavrianidou, head of the Greek Film Festival Berlin and Natasha Christia, curator, writer and educator in the field of artistic photography.

*The jury of the Αnimation Competition Programme consists of:

Jutta Wille, director of AG Kurzfilm/producer, Alekos Papadatos, animator /director and Anthi Samardzidou, cartoonist/ illustrator.

*The jury of KIDDO consists of children and teenagers aged 11-18 years old:

Petros Georgiadis, Tatiana Mavridou, Anna Panagiotopoulou, Christos Sapanidis and Vasiliki Stephanidou.

10ο DRAMA PITCHING LAB / FORUM

For the tenth year, as part of DISFF’s active Educational Programme led by Barbara Dukas, a pitching workshop (6-8 September) and a forum (9 September) will be held.

Within the framework of the DRAMA LAB Educational Platform, the Drama International Short Film Festival organizes a workshop of pitching techniques (Pitching Lab) every year, which is completed with the presentation of the selected projects to potential financiers, producers, festival directors and industry experts (Pitching Forum).

Young filmmakers, screenwriters and producers from all over the world, whose projects are selected each year, participate in the Pitching Lab & Forum during DISFF, receiving further advice on the development of their projects and the completion of their original idea into a short film (fiction, documentary, animation, etc.)

At the end of the Pitching Forum, and with the cooperation of DISFF HUB, participants are given the opportunity to organise one-to-one meetings with potential financiers and stakeholders for their project.

Cash prizes are offered by Finos Film and the Greek Film Centre (EKK).

This year, twelve (12) projects (including 4 Greek projects) have been selected and will be presented at the Pitching Forum on Saturday, 9 September (11.30 am).

In addition, another eight (8) Greek projects will participate in a separate pitching workshop at the Festival’s traditional event at the Greek Film Archive at the end of October.

The PITCHING LAB team: Varvara Douka, Georgina Kakoudaki, John Stephens, Stathis Paraskevopoulos † (1963 – 2023).

Here you will find the projects participating in this year’s workshop:

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/festival/pitching-lab/

THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED SHORT FILM HUB

The very ambitious Short Film Hub, with Yanna Sarri in charge, has its premiere this year. Through discussions and panels, the aim is for young filmmakers to form ties with recognized professionals in the film industry in order to learn the immense possibilities of their art, promote a film project, develop a script and create a network of contacts.

The Short Film Hub activities are spread throughout the Festival. Every day, at 11:00, at the open-air cinema Alexandros, the “Ask the Directors” open to the public discussions with the competing directors will be held, while at the same time, the DIRECTOR’S CUT: A Cinema of Stills workshop led by Natasha Christia will also take place, focusing on the integration of photography in cinematic theory and practice.

The successful Pitching Lab/Forum activities, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and its collaboration with Torino Short Film Lab (TSFM Talent Development Workshop will take place on September 5-8 and TSFM Pitching on September 9, 10 am) will be continued, while Meet the Experts – daily meetings with professionals who will be in Drama, will be held for the first time this year.

Meet the GFC (Greek Film Centre)

The series of informative meetings Meet the GFC, which will be held for the first time this year within the Agora segment, will strengthen the long-standing strong bond between the Greek Film Centre (EKK) and the Drama Short Film Festival. From Tuesday (5/9) to Friday (8/9), executives from all the departments of the GFC will inform directors and producers on the possibilities and horizons offered through the Centre’s funding programmes and its international connections.

Crew United

Finally, we would like to add that the Drama Short Film Festival begins a new collaboration with Crew United, the top online platform for connecting audiovisual professionals in Europe, which started operating in Greece as Crew United Greece (https://www.crew–united.com/el/). The platform, which is now available in Greek, will be giving out three awards and will be presented at the Short Film Hub on Friday, 8 September.

See the detailed programme of the SFH here:

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/short-film-hub/

CINEMATHERAPY

The Cinematherapy programme, inspired by the integrative psychotherapist Denis Nikolakou, continues, reinforced, at the 46th DISFF. Thematic axis of the Cinematherapy 2023 programme: “Human Relationships” (https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/cinema-therapy/)

As Denis Nikolakou notes, “The Cinematherapy 2023 programme is centred upon the theme of Human Relations, their fluidity and rearrangement in the 21st century, as well as the various forms that assemble their structure. More specifically, the discussions of this year’s Cinematherapy edition will revolve around the very structure of human relations during these past years, both on a personal and family level. To what extent have our relations been affected by the economic crisis, the pandemic, and socio-political developments? In what ways are their form and our values being shaped in our days?”

In this context,

*on Friday 8/9 (20:00) at open air cinema Alexandros the film “Womb” by Themos Skandamis will be screened. A middle-aged man (Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos), on a break from a typical day, is talking to his mother on the phone when a stranger (Aris Troupakis) appears and announces some unexpected and terrible news that will change him and his sense of reality comically and tragically.

*On Saturday 9/9 (20:00) at the open-air cinema Alexandros the film “The Crossing” (Aeneas Tsamatis – Katerina Mavrogeorgis) will be presented. A railway crossing in the middle of nowhere. Two guards: solitary Yiannis who never leaves his post and cool Antonis who goes with the rhythm of the landscape. Every once in a while, a voice announces the passing of a train. The two guards manually lower the bars. Nothing seems to stir their daily routine until love charges in, crushing all certainties.

*On Thursday 7/9 (20:30) at the Cyclops Cultural Centre, the opening of the “Cinematherapy for young people 18 to 30 years old” programme will take place along with the first meeting with Denis Nikolakou and the participants. The implementation of the programme is carried out under the auspices and funding of the Ministry of Culture. There is no financial burden for the participants. This new activity, addressed for the first time to this age group, aims to create 5 mixed groups, which will meet on a weekly basis. The programme, which will be implemented in person and digitally (zoom), will last until 30/12/2023.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

The parallel events of the 46th DISFF include:

*PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE: Ukrainian Queer Shorts (Olympia, Sunday 10 September, 17:00). A tribute to Ukrainian queer short films produced in 2022-23 by the first LGBTQIA+ film festival of Ukraine SUNNY BUNNY. Greek participation: On This Wondrous Sea by Kalliopi Legaki – a documentary about the important LGBTQ+ activist Maria Cyber.

*Focus on Germany (Alexandros, Friday 8 και Saturday 9 September, 20:00) Two programmes in cooperation with the AG Kurzfilm – German Short Film Association: Short Export -Made in Germany 2023 and Emerging Artists – Contemporary Experimental Films and Video Art by Upcoming Artists from Germany.

*LAGFF Travels to Drama in collaboration with the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (Cyclops Garden, Tuesday 5 September, 20:30). After the successful collaboration of Drama Travels to Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, it is time for LAGFF to return the visit. A unique opportunity for Greeks of the Diaspora to participate in the great celebration of filmmakers in Drama.

*La Animaciόn Iberoamericana (Cyclops Garden, Tuesday 5 September, 20:30) Two animation projects from Portugal and Spain in collaboration with Animasyros 2023 International Animation Festival, the Cervantes Institute and the Animac Festival.

*Filmmaking workshop (Cyclops Garden, Wednesday 6 September, 20:30) The six (6) short films created by residents of Drama, in the framework of the month-long workshop held this year in the city, will be screened.

*Book Presentations (Alexandros, Friday 8  September, 18:00) presented and curated by the Drama-born poet Polyna G. Bana. The following books will be presented: “Her Transformation” by Amanda Michalopoulou and “Sun with bayonets” by George Skabardonis.

*Cine-inclusion in class, educational activity for our little friends in collaboration with the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME) (Wednesday 6 September, Municipal Music School  of Drama, 18.00). An experiential workshop based on EKOME’s guide to inclusive film literacy and aimed at primary school children aged 7 – 12 years old.

*Green Debate (Cyclops Cultural Centre, Tuesday 5 September, 18.30)

Open debate (in Greek) with the participation of academics and representatives of environmental organizations of Drama, on the topic “PEOPLE-Environment-CULTURE. In cooperation with Europe Direct Eastern Macedonia – Thrace. Speakers: Kostas Vidakis, Georgios Tsantopoulos, Georgios Paraskeviotis, Stella Andriopoulou. The event will be moderated by Vasileios Terzopoulos, Head programmer in the Short & Green Programme. At the same time and on the same day, in the park of Agia Varvara, the Greek Scouts, in cooperation with Europe Direct Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, will hold children’s experiential activities on the environment for children 6-12 years old (no pre-registration required).

*The award-winning films of the festival will be screened on Monday afternoon 11 September (18.00), at OLYMPIA Cinema.

TICKETS

For pre-booking tickets here:

SCREENING TICKETS

APPOINTMENT (ALSO) AT THE GREEK FILM ARCHIVE IN OCTOBER

See you in Drama, but also in Athens, on 26-29 October, at the Greek Film Archive, where the entire National Competition Programme of the Festival will be presented and a pitching workshop will be held.

The programme The Drama Festival Travels will continue next season to even more destinations, highlighting the dynamics of Greek cinema in Greece and abroad.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

Here, you can select the photos you want from all sections:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vdnsCp3Bli5Iu9gLTK95puCU-ejMETPs

And here from the Festival’s new visual identity:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/15KvOIYH-YFnCMr5GaBk3s3X6BLrcWbaZ

 

THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF THIS YEAR’S DRAMA FESTIVAL

The Drama Festival is a Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Drama and is co-funded by the Ministry of Culture & Sports, the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace and the Municipality of Drama.

We thank the sponsors and supporters of DISFF:

Hellenic Parliament

Grand Sponsors

ΕΚΟΜΕ
Greek Film Center
RAYCAP
CYCLOPS
GREEN PIXEL

Sponsors

ERT
Finos Film
Onassis Culture
COSMOTE TV
TV5 MONDE
MUSOU
CREATIVE EUROPE MEDIA DESK – GREECE
METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
ANT1 Script School
TELMACO – AVID
STEFILM
DIAL
RADIATOR
IOANNIDIS BROS – SUZUKI
FISCHER
WINES OF DRAMA
Hariskos Greek Spirits

 Media Sponsors

ΕRΤ, ΕRΤ3, Deftero Programme 103.7, The Voice of Greece, ΕΡΤ3 102 Fm, ΕRΤ3 95.8 FM, ERΤ Kavala, ΕRΤ Serres
Television Station of the Hellenic Parliament
Real Fm 97.8
Real.gr
Αthens 9.84
Sto Kokkino 91.4
I Efimerida ton Synacton
Athinorama
tvxs.gr
skywalker

Partners

Εuropean Film Academy
Fipresci
Torino Short Film Market
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Olympia International Film Festival for children and young people
Hellenic Open University
University of West Attica
Ionian University
Neaniko Plano
Consulat General de France, French Institut of Greece &  French Institut of Thessaloniki
Instituto Cervantes
Animac
Kurzfilm Festival Hamburg
AG Kurzfilm
German Films
Animasyros
Los Angeles Greek Film Festival
Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist – Sunny Bunny
Greek Association of Film Clubs
Greek Association of Film Critics
Greek Union of Film, Television & Audiovisual Technicians
GSC
Directorate of Primary Education of Drama
Directorate of Primary Education of Serres
Crew United
Europe Direct Eastern Macedonia – Thrace

Τhe International Competition Programme of the 46th DISFF

International Competition Programme

Τhe International Competition Programme of the 46th DISFF

The artistic director of the Drama Film Festival Yannis Sakaridis, and the President of the Festival Georgios Demertzis, are happy to announce those who have been nominated for the International Competition Programme of the 46th edition of the Drama Film Festival, which will be held this year on September 4-10.

*This year’s DISFF International Competition programme includes 20 films from all over the world. 5 Greek films are competing:

Super by Nikolas Kouloglou, Unorthodox by Konstantinos Antopoulos, Ready by Eirini Vianelli, Midnight Skin by Manolis Mavris and Light Of Light by Neritan Zinxhiria.

We remind you that the film that will receive the highest award of the International Competition (as will be the case from now on with the film that will receive the Golden Dionysus Award in the National Competition too), will automatically ensure the much coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscar® procedure.

This year too, the team of the International Competition Programme, led by Head Programmer, Yorgos Zois, brings you films from as many as thirteen countries from around the world. A selection of shorts that stood out at international festivals, as well as captivating world premieres. It is a cluster of films that dare to experiment and playfully fuse different filmic styles and tones, delivering a wealth of narrative forms blending reality with fiction, personal stories with collective memories. These films are made on the alluring components of a poignant arthouse cinema, which gives them their distinct identity: as such, we believe they must be supported and screened to audiences, like a form of resistance that bolsters thinking and reaches the depth of our emotions.

WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME – 2023 DISFF46

  1. The Open House, Julieta Lasarte
  2. Aqueronte, Manuel Muñoz Rivas
  3. The Way Winter Comes, Zichen Wang
  4. The Blind, Michiel Robberecht
  5. Super, Nikolas Kouloglou
  6. Same Old, Lloyd Lee Choi
  7. Hold On For Dear Life, Simone Fiorentino
  8. Unorthodox, Konstantinos Antonopoulos
  9. Apostles of Cinema, Darragh Amelia, Gertrude Malizana, Jesse Gerard Moango, Cece Mlay
  10. Light Of Light, Neritan Zinxhiria
  11. Offline, Daniel Fure Schwarz, Mauritz Brekke Solberg
  12. Teacups, Alec Green, Finbar Watson
  13. Ready, Eirini Vianelli
  14. Ulises, Félix Brixel
  15. Midnight Skin, Manolis Mavris
  16. Les chenilles, Michelle Keserwany, Noel Keserwany
  17. The Silence Of The Banana Trees, Eneos Çarka
  18. The River and the Labyrinth, Ian Capillé
  19. Bed Days, Tatiana Ramos
  20. The Age Of Innocence, Maximilian Bungarten

The jury of the International Competition Programme consists of:

Eva Stefani  (President), director, Philip Ilson, artistic director of the London Film Festival, and Marie–Pauline Mollaret, head of short film selection committee in Cannes / film critic.

The competition programs of DISFF 46

The competition programs of DISFF 46

46th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
4 – 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
PRESS CONFERENCE – THURSDAY, JULY 13

During the press conference that just concluded at the Greek Film Archive Foundation, an event honoured by the presence of General Secretary of Modern Culture Eleni Doundoulaki, the artistic director of the Drama International Short Film Festival Yannis Sakaridis along with Yorgos Demertzis, President of the Festival, announced the competition programmes (NATIONAL, STUDENT NATIONAL, STUDENT INTERNATIONAL, and GREEN) of the 46th Drama International Short Film Festival, which will be held between the 4th and 10th of September, 2023. They also introduced the Festival’s new visual identity, as well as the newly-established Short Film Hub segment, which will further strengthen the Festival’s longstanding partnership with the Greek Film Centre.

The 46th Drama International Short Film Festival will project a total of 76 Greek film across all its competition programmes, all of which will premiere on a national and, in most cases, an international level.

This year, the Festival is moving on to the next level; as it was announced a few days ago, the films receiving the top distinction in both the National and International Competition programmes will be automatically securing the coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscars® Academy Awards. This connection with the Academy Awards® will give the Drama International Short Film Festival the push it needs to fulfil its role in the best way possible.

In the press conference, the first one to speak was Margarita Alexomanolaki, Head of the Directorate of Performing Arts and Cinema of the Ministry of Culture, representing the Ministry of Culture. “We are happy to see the institution grow. The Ministry of Culture has always been an ardent supporter of the celebration of short films. This year we are supporting the Festival of Drama through the Recovery Fund in order to ensure stability for the Festival, with funds exceeding €800,000. Thus the festival can guarantee better planning and outreach, without the insecurity of obtaining funding from the regular Ministry budget. By joining the Recovery Fund this year, the Drama Festival increased its budget and secured stable funding until the end of 2025. But even after 2025, the Ministry will remain a supporter of the institution” she mentioned.

As Yannis Sakaridis mentioned, “festivals are a classic fixture in the field of cinema, offering a platform where new talent can surface, artistic ideas can be exchanged, and creative diversity can be encouraged. Furthermore, festivals never stop! Just one week after the end of last year’s Drama International Short Film Festival, we presented the films of the National Competition programme, and we welcomed Paweł Pawlikowski in a Cinematherapy Session at the Greek Film Archive Foundation. The long journey of the award-winning films of the National Competition programme began at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, from where they “travelled” on to many cities of both Greece and abroad”.

This year “we have the honour to welcome director and actress Elena Mavridou to our team, who will take over the new KIDDO programme, which will host films created for and by children; additionally, Yanna Sarri has taken over the creation of the Short Film Hub programme, which aspires to form ties between talented directors, screenwriters, and directors and the domestic film industry. Led by Denise Nikolakou, our Cinematherapy programme visited the schools of Drama for a second year in a row, while it also travelled to two top Greek cinema festivals in Berlin and Los Angeles, with which our organisation has now started collaborating. The Festival’s team watched and assessed more than 3,000 films, and is now inviting you to join it in discovering new voices, journeying in subversive worlds, and delving deeply into the Art of cinema. I am both happy and proud to be able to welcome you to the 46th Drama International Short Film Festival!”

Taking the floor, President of the Festival Yorgos Demertzis noted:

“2023 is a milestone year for the Festival, as it brings many new and important developments: Just a few days ago, the American Film Academy announced our success in achieving this top distinction. Two tickets to participate in the Oscars ceremony will be given to the winning films of the National and International Competition programmes of the Drama Festival.

This distinction did not happen in a vacuum; together with Yannis Sakaridis and the Festival’s team, we acted in a coordinated, systematic, and persistent manner, in order to eliminate past obstacles and rebuild previously lost bridges of communication both in Greece and abroad. With my full support and under the guidance of our inspired artistic director, the targeted, creative, and outgoing growth pattern of the Festival in the past few years which aimed to benefit the creators of short films greatly contributed to this success.

I will continue by talking about the beginning of this special year, when the Undergraduate Department of Film Studies of the Hellenic Open University started operating, offering directing workshops in our city. This was a long-held dream, and the mayor of our city greatly contributed in its realisation. As its main inspirer, the Drama Film Festival will develop collaborative programmes and actions with the School, in order to maximise the benefits for aspiring filmmakers.

Commenting on the “important, definitive, unimpeded, and -for the first time- steady collaboration with the Ministry of Culture”, Yorgos Demertzis noted that said collaboration, which has been in place since 2020, has brought:

“Uninterrupted funding for the Festival, via a three-year planning contract which was renewed a few months ago, providing safety and resources for us to continue our work.

The utilisation of the former Andrikakis military camp, through “the creation and operation of a creative hub for audiovisual arts in Drama”, which transformed it into a reference point of the Drama Film Festival. Aided by the Recovery Fund and with funding of up to 7 million Euro by the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Administrative Region, this plan is in development and will operate in combination with the cultural and developmental master plan for the growth of Drama, which aspires to contribute to the economy and growth model of the wider region.

The modernisation of the infrastructure of the Drama Municipal Music School and the Olympia Cinema, both venues where the Festival takes place, with funding of up to 1.5 million Euro by the Recovery Fund.

Furthermore, and with the aid of the Ministry of Culture, the educational “Cinematherapy” programmes were implemented for the past three years, which were met with great success in Drama and will continue to be held.

The artistic director and the team of the Festival have wrapped up the preparations for the 46th event of the Drama International Short Film Festival with love, maturity, sincerity and passion. Fresh, innovative choices and new co-operations with important bodies and people of the field of cinema both in Greece and abroad compose this year’s Festival, aiming to strengthen the connection between the film industry, young talent, and film students from both Greece and abroad, in an effort to ultimately upgrade the festival’s image and offering.

We are very thankful to the Ministry of Culture, the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Administrative Region, the Drama Municipality, the Greek Film Centre, the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME), the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), the Onassis Stegi Foundation, RAYCAP, Cyclops, Finos Film, COSMOTE TV, and all bodies of cinematic creation, both Greek and foreign, for their support, love, and excellent co-operation in the task of promoting short films and their creators.  

We wish our Festival the best of luck!”

THE VISUAL IDENTITY OF THE 46TH DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Upon presenting this year’s visual identity, designer and Head of Branding at the Drama International Short Film Festival Dimitris Papazoglou (DpS Athens) noted:

“We are both happy and honoured to be presenting the visual identity which will accompany the 46th Drama International Short Film Festival; in doing so, we have finally completed the design trilogy we announced back in 2021, when we first took over the redesigning of the organisation’s visual identity.

As such, in 2021 we focused on the format, the technical qualities of the medium, the short duration (the short film narration) and the density of meaning, all typical elements of this type of filmmaking.

Following that, in 2022 we focused on the community of short film creators, bringing the creators at the forefront of visual communication. By using the verbal creation “A Flm By” and incorporating their names in the design process, we underlined and highlighted their contribution as a vital, creative part of our Festival.

Our work on the Festival’s visual identities for both 2021 and 2022 received important distinctions, the most important one being the Golden Award for Design during the Greek Design Awards for Visual Communication (EVGE Awards), as well as the Merit of Typography for the 2022 publications of the Festival during the same event. Additionally, the total work of the two years has received recognition by multiple design platforms and design-related publications, not only in Greece, but also abroad, something that contributed significantly to the establishment of the Drama Film Festival among international cinematic festivals.

This year’s visual identity draws inspiration from and honours the long, upward trajectory of the Festival. In terms of branding, the Festival’s name is strengthened and dispersed, gaining more exposure as it is promoted more and more abroad, in events such as the Los Angeles GFF, the Festival de Cannes, the Clermont-Ferrand Festival, the Torino Short Film Market, and others.

On an international level, an important proof of the strengthening of our institution, the validation of its identity, and its contribution in the world of short film making is the fact that the Drama International Short Film Festival now becomes an Oscar®-qualifying festival, officially providing a ticket to the Oscar® Awards competition to the two award-winning films of the National and International competition programmes.

This, of course, is an extraordinary circumstance, which makes this year’s visual identity even more pertinent. The verbal creation “Focus on DISFF” challenges us to “see” – and, therefore, to think – both carefully and in depth about the Drama International Short Film Festival, ponder the meaning of its vision, and examine the principles and qualities which typify it as it grows, disperses, and travels, gaining more and more prestige on the international map of film festivals”.

 

THE JURIES OF THE 46TH DRAMA FESTIVAL

*The jury of the National Competition Programme is composed of:

  1. Lefteris Charitos (President), director
  2. Alexia Roider, artistic director of the Cyprus International Short Film Festival
  3. Menos Deliotzakis, director
  4. Alexandra Matthaiou, director/screenwriter
  5. Asimina Proedrou, Director/screenwriter

*The jury of the International Competition Programme is composed of:

  1. Eva Stefani (President), director
  2. Philip Ilson, Artistic Director of the London Film Festival
  3. Marie-Pauline Mollaret, Head of the short film selection segment of the Cannes Film Festival/cinema critic

*The jury of the International Student Competition Programme is composed of:

  1. Florian Fernandez-Canto, coordinator of the Cannes Court Métrage – Rendez-vous Industry
  2. Anne Gaschutz, artistic director of Filmfest Dresden
  3. Thanos Tokakis, director/actor

*The jury of the National Student Competition Programme is composed of:

  1. Kyriakos Aggelakos (President), director/producer/screenwriter
  2. Ilektra Venaki, video editor
  3. Maria Komninou, Chairperson of the Board of the Greek Film Archive Foundation

*The jury of the Short and Green Programme is composed of:

  1. Yorgos Gousis (President), director
  2. Sofia Stavrianidou, head of the Greek Film Festival Berlin
  3. Natasha Christia, curator, writer, and educator in the field of artistic photography

*The jury of the Animation Competition Programme is composed of:

  1. Jutta Wille, director of AGKurzFilm/producer
  2. Alekos Papadatos, animator/director
  3. Anthi Samartzidou, cartoonist

*The jury of the KIDDO programme is composed of children and teenagers between the ages of 11-18:

  1. Petros Georgiadis
  2. Tatiana Mavridou,
  3. Anna Panagiotopoulou,
  4. Christos Sapanidis,
  5. Vasiliki Stefanidou

PARTICIPANTS IN 2023 DISFF46

NATIONAL COMPETITION

  1. Unorthodox by Konstantinos Antonopoulos
  2. My name is Anti by Andreas Vakalios, Fili Olsefski
  3. White Christmas 1948 by Antonios Vallindras
  4. Good Girls Club: A Virginity Odyssey by Lida Vartzioti, Dimitris Tsakaleas
  5. Antilopi by Alexandros Voulgaris aka The Boy
  6. Light of Light by Neritan Zinxhiria
  7. Arizones by Giorgos Iliopoulos
  8. Wings by Fivos Imellos
  9. A piece of liberty by Antigoni Kapaka
  10. End of August by Antzelika Katsa
  11. Τhe armchair on the pavement by Mary Kolonia
  12. Aerolin by Alexis Koukias-Pantelis
  13. Super by Nikolas Kouloglou
  14. Pick a hand by Stavros Kostopoulos
  15. Please wait by Karina Logothetis
  16. Midnight Skin by Manolis Mavris
  17. If I tell you my memories by Maria Elena Mitrodima
  18. Flux by Giorgos Bougioukos
  19. À deux voix by Martha Bouziouri
  20. Athalassa by Argyro Nicolaou
  21. Deep sea by Kallia Papadaki
  22. Bearcave by Krysianna Papadakis, Stergios Dinopoulos
  23. Firebug by Alexandros Papathanasopoulos
  24. Short draft by Spyridon Papaspyrou
  25. Mailman by Nicholas G. Pelecanos
  26. The thief by Matteo Pizzocaro
  27. Until you see me by Eleanna Santorinaiou
  28. Walls by Christos Sarris
  29. Cargo by Yorgos Servetas
  30. Womb by Themos Skandamis
  31. Buffer Zone by Savvas Stavrou
  32. Dyosmos by Alexandros Georgios Sotiropoulos
  33. The first setting sun of summer by Asteris Tziolas
  34. Crossing by Aineias Tsamatis, Katerina Mavrogeorgi
  35. Fracture by Panagiotis Fafoutis

As Yannis Sakaridis notes, “35 films participate in the National Competition Programme, directed by 26 men and 13 women.

“Short film directors stand apart for their creative intelligence, their sensitive approach in communicating with the audiences, and their ability to convey multiple experiences and emotions in just a few minutes. Short films allow directors to approach deep and important subjects, and to capture them in strong, compact scripts. In this case, direction is a challenge, seeing as directors must choose the moments which will successfully convey the full picture of their story. The direction of short films demands precision and narrative economy.

As my dear predecessor and fellow director Antonis Papadopoulos wrote, a short film is a film of “immediate return”. A short film that can be realised within a short time span records the social, economic, and mental state of the country, transforming the screens of the Drama International Short Film Festival into a mirror of society, both in realistic and lyrical ways.

This year we watched films that touched upon deep social and psychological issues, with an emphasis on solitude, abandonment, abuse, and toxic masculinity. The exploration of one’s sexuality and sexism occupy big part of this year’s subject matter, while problematic family relationships, breakups and the management of grief seem to once again inspire short film creators. Furthermore, we watched some excellent comedies, as well as experimental films and powerful documentaries.

The Drama International Short Film Festival received certification for the Oscar nominations in the category of short films, for the award-winning films of the National Competition Programme (Oscar®-qualified).

We hope that once again this year, the Festival will uplift Greek cinema and will become a source of positive energy”.

NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION

  1. A diary of sexual solitude by Nina Alexandraki
  2. The Parade by Michalis Galanopoulos
  3. Greenhouse by George Georgakopoulos
  4. Góos by Flora Ilia
  5. Ketchup to your mustard by Ifigeneia Theodoridis
  6. Days of a lilac summer by Ariadni Angeliki Thyfronitou Litou
  7. Athens, my love by Dimitris Kechris
  8. A very small gentleman by George Kleanthous
  9. The chaos she left behind by Nikos Kolioukos
  10. Scorched earth by Markela Kontaratou\
  11. Why won’t you dance? by Penelope Mavropsaridi
  12. Love is a heavy load by Marianna Bozantzoglou – Katerina Roussiaki
  13. Little doggie by Giorgos Ntounis
  14. The legend of Kavalawood by Melina Xypolitaki
  15. Unicorns do exist by Milena Perdikari
  16. The knock by Ismini Proiou
  17. Farewells by Savvina Samioti
  18. Sea urchin by Alex Scholz
  19. How to light a cigarette without burning yourself by Constantinos Spanoudakis
  20. One and a half by Odysseas Spyropoulos
  21. Birds don’t look through the windows by Eirini Tampasouli
  22. Eau en noir / Water in black by Vanessa Ferle
  23. Lou by Antonina Frokou
  24. Watering hole by Fivos Chalkiopoulos
  25. Justis by Aggelos Barai, Nikitas Sifonios [out of competition]

24 films participate in the National Student Competition Programme (an extra film will be screened outside the competition), directed by 10 men and 14 women. Panagiotis Iosifelis is Head Programmer of the programme (screenwriter, screenwriting professor at the Film Department of the School of Fine Arts of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). There was a 60% increase in this year’s submissions compared to the previous year, and films from 12 schools were selected. This year’s subject matter revolves around issues such as abuse, femicide, and self-identification. The creation of the Student National Programme succeeds in filling a significant gap in the field of student short film creation.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION

  1. Klette by Michael Abay,  Belgium
  2. Bad kids with saint names by Vicky Anastasiadou,  Greece
  3. Phalène by Sarah-Anaïs Desbenoit,   France
  4. Kokuryo: the untold story of bb. Undas 2019 by Diokko Manuel Dionisio,   Philippines
  5. δ by Julia Diệp My Feige,   Germany
  6. Carp xmass by Anna Heribanová,   Czech Republic
  7. Suitcase by Saman Hosseinpuor – Ako Zandkarimi,    Iran
  8. Xiaohui and his cows by Xinying Lao,   China
  9. Ánima by Manuel Mateo,  Cuba
  10. The things to come   by Santiago Ráfales,   Spain
  11. I asked him to take me dancing by Hillel Rate,   Israel
  12. Sea urchin by Alex Scholz,   Greece
  13. Dancing on the grave by Ana Šiškov,   Croatia
  14. Opening night by Sara Szymańska,   Poland

14 films from 13 countries participate in this year’s Student International Programme, directed by 8 men and 7 women. Director Thanasis Neofotistos, Head Programmer of the Student International Programme, envisions to create a student campus in the city of Drama. This year’s films address various social and political matters, and touch upon issues such as diversity and human relationships.

SHORT AND GREEN

  1. This is not a place for you by Ceyda Aşar,  Turkey
  2. A queen by Benjamin Behaeghel,   France
  3. Terra mater by Kantarama Gahigiri,   Rwanda
  4. Bumbumpapá by Alexis Gómez,   Mexico
  5. Fantasmagoría by Juan Francisco González,   Chile
  6. Luthier by Carlos González Penagos,   Colombia
  7. Nool by May Grosman,   Israel
  8. Strangers in the dark by Perttu Inkilä, Jenni Pystynen ,  Finland
  9. Bégan by Maria Jorge,   Portugal
  10. Time to live by Hawar Rehimi,   Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran
  11. Happy by Laura Rindlisbacher,   UK
  12. Seagulls scream on the weekend by Maria Stuut, Frederik Stuut, Netherlands
  13. Lumen by Eirini Tzoulia,   Greece
  14. Eina by Michael Vella, Tommy Vella ,  Germany
  15. The wheat will not be golden   by Guoxin Wang ,, China

The Short and Green competition programme includes 15 films (directed by 10 men and 8 women) from 15 countries, covering all cinematic genres: fiction films, documentaries, and animation films. The programme is curated by Vasilis Terzopoulos.

THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED SHORT FILM HUB

The Drama International Short Film Festival has always been a space of expression for new creators and cinema professionals. It has historically served as a meeting point, where, come September every year, new connections are created, cinematic discussions held, ideas exchanged and future collaborations forged.

The Short Film Hub programme will be held for the first time this year, under the leadership of Yanna Sarri, and aiming to unite all film professionals that will be present in Drama; via discussions and panels, it will provide the opportunity to new creators to approach distinguished professionals in the field of cinema, in order to learn more about the unlimited potential of their art, the methods of promoting their work, the ways of developing a script and the creation of a network of connections.

The actions of the Short Film Hub will cover the entire duration of the Festival. Discussions will be held daily at the open air cinema Alexandros, on a variety of subjects: One talk will touch upon the most important festivals around the world, such as the Cannes Film Festival and its Marche du Film segment, while other discussions will be held regarding the country’s funding programmes and the development of a cinematic market during the past few years. We will address the process of acquiring music rights, which is a crucial element in the creation of a film. Finally, a discussion on the new platform by Crew United will be held, where renowned Greek and foreign professionals of the field will provide useful tools, while other talks will touch upon topics such as DIY cinema and the fascinating work of Frieda Liappa.

At the same time, the DIRECTOR’S CUT: A Cinema of Stills workshop will be held, led by Natasha Christia (curator, writer, and educator in the field of artistic photography). In this workshop we will try to incorporate photography and its theory into cinematic theory and practice, and create a useful and inspired toolbox to aid the conception, production, and promotion of a cinematic project.

The successful actions of the Pitching Lab will continue this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary and its collaboration with the Torino Short Film Lab. These two actions will be combined with constructive meetings between the participants and the professionals of the field.

Finally, the actions of the Meet the Experts programme will be held for the first time this year; these will be daily meetings with film professionals attending the Festival, who will be available for one-to-one meetings with the directors, screenwriters, and producers presenting their films within the official programme of the Festival.

Meet the GFC

The series of informative meetings “Meet the GFC”, which will be held for the first time this year within the Agora segment of the Festival, will strengthen the long-standing, strong bond between the Greek Film Centre and the Drama International Short Film Festival. From Tuesday, September 5th until Friday, September 8th, executives from all the departments of the GFC will inform directors and producers on the possibilities offered through the Centre’s funding programmes, as well as through its international connections.

Finally, we would like to add that, this year, the Drama International Short Film Festival begins a new collaboration with Crew United, the top online platform for connecting audiovisual professionals in Europe, which started operating in Greece as Crew United Greece. This platform, which is now available in Greek as well, will be giving out three awards and will be presented at the Short Film Hub on Friday, September 8th.

CINEMATHERAPY

After the very successful run of the programme from 2020 to this day, in Greece and abroad, a new project for the Cinematherapy programme, led by psychotherapist Denise Nikolakou, will be implemented by the Drama International Short Film Festival, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Directorate of Contemporary Culture, reaffirming the impact and effectiveness of the innovative programme that has been running for three years in Greece and abroad.

For the first time this year, the new project is focused at the age group 18 to 30, with the goal of creating 5 mixed groups of 10 people each, with open flow, with a fixed duration of 90 minutes and a weekly meeting schedule. The duration of the program is set at a predetermined start and end date, from 28/8 to 30/12/2023.

The Programme will run in a hybrid format (in person and online). The kick-off meeting / introduction of the team with the coordinator and the participants as well as the closing meeting will be held in person. In the in-between period, the group meetings, under the curation and coordination by Denise Nikolakou, will be held via an online platform (Zoom).

PICTURES OF THE DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL’S NEW VISUAL IDENTITY

The Drama Festival becomes the “ticket” to the Oscars

The Drama Festival becomes the "ticket" to the Oscars

The Drama Festival becomes the “ticket” to  the Oscars® 

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the Drama International Short Film Festival among the world’s top film festivals.  

It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that the Drama International Short Film Festival is announcing that it has received the status for the Oscar®qualifying short films in its International and National Competition Program.

From now on, the Drama Festival officially becomes a “ticket” to the Oscar Awards.

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the world’s leading festivals to collaborate in the formation of the final list of short films eligible to compete for the Academy Award for Best Short Film. The Academy allows films that win first prize at these festivals to automatically qualify for the category shortlist, provided they meet the Academy standards.

Thus, the two short films that receive a Golden Dionysus, i.e. the Best Film Award at the National Competition, and the Best Film Grand Prix at the DISFF International Competition each September, will automatically secure the coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscar process, which may lead them to the final five for the Best Short Film Oscar.

This development rewards the efforts that the Drama Festival has made over the years to distinguish itself as one of the leading international short film festivals. It also confirms the extroversion that it has shown in recent years, as well as its timeless influence on the promotion of young cinema talents in Greece. 

The association with the Academy Awards® will give Drama Festival the extra impetus needed to perform its role to the best of its ability.

The Drama Festival becomes the "ticket" to the Oscars

PITCHING CALL FOR ENTRIES – New deadline 10th May 2023

Pitching Lab 2023

46th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

4 – 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
10 years Drama Pitching Lab / Forum

CALL FOR ENTRIES

New deadline 10th May 2023

WHAT IS IT?

As part of the in house Educational Platform DRAMA LAB, every year the Drama International Film Festival organises a Pitching Lab Workshop and a Pitching Forum, to provide pitching techniques to directors/producers.

Young filmmakers, scriptwriters, and producers from all over the world will participate in training sessions and learn how to present their project to producers and secure potential funding.

Moreover, the workshop aims to provide participants with the basic knowledge and working tools useful for developing an original idea into a script and furthermore towards realizing an authentic short film of any genre (fiction, animation, doc e.t.c.).

At the end of the workshop participants are given the opportunity to present their ideas during the Pitching Forum Session, to a group of experts, producers and festival directors (5΄ presentation time).

Members of the Forum Committee will quiz each participant after their presentation, asking them critical questions about their project. (5’ Q&A ).

Participants are also given the opportunity to arrange one to one meetings with potential financiers to help them raise funds for their project.

TRAINING VIDEOS

In the following link you can find four training videos by the Head of the programme Barbara Dukas and Pitching Lab instructors Georgina Kakoudaki, Stathis Paraskevopoulos and John Stephens, explaining the significance of pitching an idea for a film, a glimpse of the workshops that are going to take place the Drama Film Festival Pitching Lab.

DISFF45 | PITCHING LAB

SUBMISSIONS

Project Submission (exclusively in the English language) until Wednesday 10th of May 2023 +GR 12.00 by mail pitching@dramafilmfestival.gr

THE APPLICATION

Required

  • Synopsis up to 200 words
  • Project description up to 500 words ( a logline of up to 50 words should be included)
  • CVs of the project creative team (author/writer, director & producer) up to 200 words each.

Optional

  • Audiovisual material at the discretion of each candidate e. photos, small teaser, music, color palette, location material, casting and more generally anything that can help in understanding the idea behind the project.
  • A complete script is not necessary at this stage

All information and requirements must be included in a single pdf file named after the title of the project.

Who can apply?

The workshop is open to all aspiring directors, producers and/or screenwriters from all over the world. The workshop will be held entirely in English.

Selection

A selection committee composed by members of the Educational Team of DISFF  will select ten projects.

Additional attention will be paid to international projects that will select   Greece as part of the project or for the location of their shooting.

The selected projects will be announced by the 10th of June 2023.

Where and When?

The workshop includes 3 on-line sessions (mandatory), in dates and times that will be announced, and will take place in the interim between the 28th of August 2023 and the 4th of September 2023, and a three-day workshop (in person), during the Drama International Short Film Festival from 6 to 8 of September 2023. The participants presence at the workshop and forum is mandatory.

Participation will occur following the health protocols in force at the time of the workshop. These protocols will be communicated to the participants before the beginning of the workshop.

Μore specifically

PITCHING LAB

PITCHING Workshop for short film projects (short fiction or animation up to 20΄/documentaries up to 30′), (6th to 8th of September 2023)

PITCHING FORUM

The Pitching Forum will be held on Saturday the 9th of September 2023

with the participation of financiers, producers, festival directors and other experts.

Presentation time for each project 5΄

Q&A time 5 ‘

Registration and costs.

Registration is free of charge. The deadline for registration is Wednesday the 10th of May 2023  +GR 12:00

Awards:

  • Finos Film- Cash prize
  • GFC – Cash prize contribution in the production

Mentorship Awards

  • Development/script doctoring sessions in selected projects

More information about previous Pitching Lab editions, awards, as well as booklets with selected projects from previous years can be found on our website: https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/en/festival/pitching-lab/

Additional information
Email: pitching@dramafilmfestival.gr

Call for entries: Pitching Lab 2023

Pitching Lab 2023

46th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

4 – 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
10 years Drama Pitching Lab / Forum

CALL FOR ENTRIES

WHAT IS IT?

As part of the in house Educational Platform DRAMA LAB, every year the Drama International Film Festival organises a Pitching Lab Workshop and a Pitching Forum, to provide pitching techniques to directors/producers.

Young filmmakers, scriptwriters, and producers from all over the world will participate in training sessions and learn how to present their project to producers and secure potential funding.

Moreover, the workshop aims to provide participants with the basic knowledge and working tools useful for developing an original idea into a script and furthermore towards realizing an authentic short film of any genre (fiction, animation, doc e.t.c.).

At the end of the workshop participants are given the opportunity to present their ideas during the Pitching Forum Session, to a group of experts, producers and festival directors (5΄ presentation time).

Members of the Forum Committee will quiz each participant after their presentation, asking them critical questions about their project. (5’ Q&A ).

Participants are also given the opportunity to arrange one to one meetings with potential financiers to help them raise funds for their project.

TRAINING VIDEOS

In the following link you can find four training videos by the Head of the programme Barbara Dukas and Pitching Lab instructors Georgina Kakoudaki, Stathis Paraskevopoulos and John Stephens, explaining the significance of pitching an idea for a film, a glimpse of the workshops that are going to take place the Drama Film Festival Pitching Lab.

DISFF45 | PITCHING LAB

SUBMISSIONS

Project Submission (exclusively in the English language) until Monday 10th of April 2023 +GR 12.00 by mail pitching@dramafilmfestival.gr

THE APPLICATION

Required

  • Synopsis up to 200 words
  • Project description up to 500 words ( a logline of up to 50 words should be included)
  • CVs of the project creative team (author/writer, director & producer) up to 200 words each.

Optional

  • Audiovisual material at the discretion of each candidate e. photos, small teaser, music, color palette, location material, casting and more generally anything that can help in understanding the idea behind the project.
  • A complete script is not necessary at this stage

All information and requirements must be included in a single pdf file named after the title of the project.

Who can apply?

The workshop is open to all aspiring directors, producers and/or screenwriters from all over the world. The workshop will be held entirely in English.

Selection

A selection committee composed by members of the Educational Team of DISFF  will select ten projects.

Additional attention will be paid to international projects that will select   Greece as part of the project or for the location of their shooting.

The selected projects will be announced by Monday the 8th of May 2023.

Where and When?

The workshop includes 3 on-line sessions (mandatory), in dates and times that will be announced, and will take place in the interim between the 28th of August 2023 and the 4th of September 2023, and a three-day workshop (in person), during the Drama International Short Film Festival from 6 to 8 of September 2023. The participants presence at the workshop and forum is mandatory.

Participation will occur following the health protocols in force at the time of the workshop. These protocols will be communicated to the participants before the beginning of the workshop.

Μore specifically

PITCHING LAB

PITCHING Workshop for short film projects (short fiction or animation up to 20΄/documentaries up to 30′), (6th to 8th of September 2023)

PITCHING FORUM

The Pitching Forum will be held on Saturday the 9th of September 2023

with the participation of financiers, producers, festival directors and other experts.

Presentation time for each project 5΄

Q&A time 5 ‘

Registration and costs.

Registration is free of charge. The deadline for registration is Monday the 10th of April 2023  +GR 12:00

Awards:

  • Finos Film- Cash prize
  • GFC – Cash prize contribution in the productio

Mentorship Awards

  • Development/script doctoring sessions in selected projects

More information about previous Pitching Lab editions, awards, as well as booklets with selected projects from previous years can be found on our website: https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/en/festival/pitching-lab/

Additional information
Email: pitching@dramafilmfestival.gr

OPEN CALL – The Drama Festival awaits your films

open call 2023

CALL FOR ENTRIES

THE DRAMA FESTIVAL AWAITS YOUR FILMSKIDDO: THE NEW COMPETITION

KIDDO: NEW COMPETITION PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE!

The Drama International Short Film Festival, the great celebration of short film filmmakers, awaits your film for its 46th edition! Film submissions for the National Competition Programme, as well as for the other competition sections of the festival, are now open.

The Drama Festival invites filmmakers from all over the world to apply for the International Competition Programme and the International Student Competition Programme. No separate application is needed for the International Animation and Short & Green competition programmes.

This year, interested parties can apply and submit their films for the National and National Student programmes until May 15, whereas for the International, International Student and the new Kiddo competition programme, which aims at filmmakers, as well as children and teenagers who want to create films for children and young people, until May 8.

Films are submitted online to the filmfreeway.com

We remind you that in order to submit films to the National Competition, a Greek premiere is required, while only fiction, documentary, experimental and animated films completed after January 1, 2022 are accepted. Submission of participation is free for Greek and Cypriot directors.

To participate in the International Competition, films must be produced in 2023, the cost of submission per film is 15 Euros, while the duration of the film must not exceed 45 minutes. For the International Student Competition (2022-2023 productions), the submission fee is 5 Euros and the duration of the film must not exceed 20 minutes.

In any case, a Greek premiere is required.

The terms of participation are detailed here:

REGULATIONS – TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

KIDDO

Kiddo marks the new aspirational opening of the Drama Festival to films in which children and young people are in the foreground. The acclaimed Drama actress Elena Mavridou will be the head of the programme, and explains the reasoning behind this new initiative of the Festival:

“No human being is more contemporary at this time than young children who can handle digital media with such comfort and knowledge. If this knowledge shifts towards the Arts, a breeding ground of new innovative ideas can be formed. Children’s emotional intelligence and critical thinking lay the groundwork for the future societies. The Drama Short Film Festival, through its many years of educating the pupils of Drama, offers educational programmes, screenings and cinema workshops for children. We are happy to announce the new Kiddo competition programme for films by professional filmmakers, as well as by children and teenagers. The competition addresses creators of films for children & teenagers with contemporary themes. Young creators are also given the opportunity to screen their films. Films made by children for children, aiming to activate their imagination and to cultivate their own aesthetic perception. The competitive nature of the programme aims to prepare young cinephiles, as well as future creators, for the art of cinema.”

 

SAVE THE DATE: this year’s 46th Drama International Short Film Festival will be held September 4-10. The opening will take place on Monday, while the award ceremony will take place on Sunday.

The National Short Film Festival is here to highlight new emerging talented filmmakers and to encourage the creation of short films as an autonomous category for creators of all ages.

The Drama Festival, a hub for filmmakers and audiovisual professionals, is considered one of the most important of its kind in Europe, providing contestants with an opportunity to compete for European Film Academy (EFA) awards.

More information:

info@dramafilmfestival.gr (Drama Festival Secretariat)
Drama Offices: tel. 25210 47575
Athens offices: tel. 210 3300309

Masterclass with Paweł Pawlikowski | 17-Sep-2022

PP

Masterclass with Pawel Pawlikowski | 17-Sep-2022

THE DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL TRAVELS TO THE GREEK FILM ARCHIVE

Among the undisputed highlights of this year’s programme at the Drama International Short Film Festival was the masterclass with Oscar-winning creator Paweł Pawlikowski. Held as part of the Cinematherapy programme of the Festival and followed by a discussion between the Festival’s artistic director Yannis Sakaridis, psychotherapist Denise Nikolakou, and – naturally – the audience, the event proved to be a very successful part of the ‘DISFF in Athens’ function, with crowds filling up the great hall of the Greek Film Archive building.

The four-day event of the Drama Festival which took place at the Greek Film Archive was successfully concluded last night, with sold-out screenings of films from the Festival’s National Competition Programme.

The Cinematherapy programme, curated by Denise Nikolakou, is now synonymous with Paweł Pawlikowski, as it was the Oscar-winning director himself who inaugurated the programme with his film Cold War (2018) during the 43rd event of the Drama International Short Film Festival in 2020.

During the event at the Greek Film Archive, the audience enjoyed a cinematic collage of the director’s prolific work, with excerpts from the important period of his BBC documentaries (1990-1995 – From Moscow to Pietushki, Dostoyevsky’s Travels, Serbian Epics, Tripping with Zhirinovsky), from the second period of his fiction filmmaking (1998-2004 – The Stringer, Last Resort, My Summer of Love), as well as works from his third (The Woman in the Fifth) and fourth (Ida, Cold War) periods (2011-2018).

You can watch the entire masterclass and discussion with the director here:

DISFF45 LIVE STREAMING - Pawel Pawlikowski

Talking with Denise Nikolakou in the discussion that ensued, Paweł Pawlikowski was charming, expressive, and humorous. The creator revealed that he loves, empathises and identifies with the heroes of his films from a psychological point of view, even when the characters are unlikeable. “Of course, that does not mean I consciously try to deliver any kind of cinematherapy when making these films”, he clarified. “When I feel I am starting to lecture the audience, I am immediately deactivated; I push the OFF button, because this is something I don’t want to be doing. I have always made films that expressed what was in my mind at the given time”.

Regarding the documentaries he filmed in the 1990s, produced by BBC (editor’s note: Pawlikowski lived in England since he was 14 years old), the director said he was influenced by documentaries made in the country by great creators like Kieślowski. This influence led him to give this Polish “approach” to his films, which were more artistic and lyrical than the conventional British documentaries of the era. “Polish creators functioned within a different framework, that of totalitarian state control”, he explained. “Thus, they were forced to invent ways to deceive the regime in order to say what they wanted to say, which had an impact on the aesthetic of their films”.

In his documentaries, he captured “the birth of nationalism in Europe during that time”. “It was interesting to capture it all not with today’s digital means, but rather on 16mm film”, he said. “Today we are trapped in a virtual reality, but back then making films was much more interesting. Today we film current events endlessly and without critical thought. Back then we used film, so everything we shot was selected very consciously, as it had a specific purpose; we did not shoot in a general and vague manner. We wanted to capture a poetic or funny scene”.

Talking about his documentaries in contrast to the fiction films he created, the director said that “even though the framework is more realistic in one case and more imaginary in the other, I never discriminated fully between the two, as it always felt like I was “toying” with reality and using a kind of stylisation, at least to a certain extent. That is maybe due to the fact that I really hate the way in which the media depict the world and “reality”. Just look at the way they portray Russia and France today…”.

Using his film “Tripping with Zhirinovsky” as an example, the director underlined that “Zhirinovsky was a deplorable, terrible guy; his time was before the era of Trump, but his course is very indicative of what happened to the vast and incredible country of Russia”. Still, much like it happened with his documentary “Serbian Epics”, which he shot in Bosnia during the 1992 war, he said: “You fall in love with your subject matter. Something inside you motivates you and rings a bell within”.

Speaking of his incredible film “Ida”, which he shot in Poland, Paweł Pawlikowski confessed that, during his puberty, he also discovered that his paternal grandmother was Jewish. “I had no idea, and then suddenly I found out about this adventure of my family, about Auschwitz… In that sense, Ida was a very personal film for me”.

In Poland “we have this obsession with history, to the extent that it crushes everything else. I want to create real, three-dimensional characters – besides, truth is a very controversial concept…”.

When asked about which stage in the creation of a film fascinates him the most, he answered with a big laugh: “None! It is a very stressful procedure. Perhaps the only enjoyable part is the moment that something clicks, you get an idea and you think, “Great, that might just work””. And when asked about the moment he realises his film has achieved its goal? “You cannot know that”, he said. “You often wonder, “Ok, what do I do now?”. The thing that offers a kind of satisfaction is holding a first screening for selected friends. If they like it, you feel that something beautiful is happening. When people start discovering your work, you feel that your efforts are being rewarded”. Regarding his relationship with actors, he said that it doesn’t fit the mould. “There is no standard method, because each and every actor is different”.

Discussing the effects of the pandemic on filmmakers and cinema in general with Yannis Sakaridis, he noted that “as a creator, I feel that in today’s age of digital communication, it is getting harder and harder to make a film that has a purpose, a film with cultural content. In my 68 years of age, I admit that I often think: Why should I even bother? Why make the effort? Who cares? At the beginning, digital platforms pretended to care about cinema, but it is now clear they are all exclusively oriented towards making marketable films. At the same time, film crews are either extremely expensive, or they are busy making blockbusters. How can you make a film like Ida today? I grew up with a kind of cinema that is starting to disappear…”.

He concluded: “After the age of 60, it is difficult to maintain the same level of enthusiasm. I wish I were younger so I could fall in love with cinema all over again…”.

DISFF 45 (2022) And the winner is…!!!

DISFF45 LIVE STREAMING - Τελετή λήξης

DISFF 45 (2022) And the winner is…!!!

45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL NATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS

JURY

Jury Head: Konstantinos Giannaris, Director

Jury Members:

  1. Markella Giannatou, Actress
  2. Marina Gioti, Filmmaker and visual artist
  3. Aris Dimokidis, Journalist
  4. Ioakim Mylonas, Director, Artistic Director of International Short Film Festival of Cyprus

JURY QUOTE:

Thank you Drama and Drama International Short Film Festival for the hospitality and for giving us the opportunity to be here. Thanks to a successful preselection process, we had the opportunity to judge a wide and strong range of films, from first time directors to established filmmakers. Our main interest was the sincere and sometimes successful attempt of the creators to deal with current social issues but also – something very pleasant to us – with different genres of cinema. They conveyed it to us in their own unique and quirky way and impressed us with their maturity, passion and humor.

We felt very satisfied that the issues related to the personal and social life of women were high up in the agenda and also with the strong presence of female creators, regardless of the fact that we often had objections to the final result, and that we would definitely like even more strong female roles. At the same time we saw surprisingly mature and sensitive depictions of both toxic and non-toxic masculinity, while also successful and hilarious satire on male narcissism.

The social integration of immigrant communities, or more to the point: the depiction of the lives of second generation children were themes that pleased us with their presence. However, we would also have liked a more robust and contemporary approach, devoid of stereotypes and facts deriving from past times.

Sexual identity, in all its forms, was depicted in a guilt-free mood, finally conveying real life without prudence or deciet. But still, in some cases, we would have liked a more complete result in terms of script and direction.

Regarding the depiction of urban violence and marginalized groups, there was an honest attempt from the creators to convey these worlds to us, but we also believe that the strength and effectiveness of this brave effort was undermined by fruitless obsessions with ethics and morals.

The sea and the water elements have obviously been the protagonists of this year’s prοductions, and we hope next year you will take the mountains!

Above all, however, as our role as jury demands, we looked without prejudice for quality and for the finest exploration of cinema as art.

Awards

  • Golder Dionysus – Best Film Award

To the film “5pm seaside” directed by Valentin Stejskal

A truly sensitive and beautifully simple cinematographic narrative which has been with us ever since we watched the film and has succeeded in effortlessly transmitting the wounded, inner world of its main characters.

The award is accompanied by three prizes: Finos Film offers a cash prize of 4,000 euros, ERT offers a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the Hellenic Film Center offers a cash prize of 2,500 euros.

  • Best Direction Award “Tonia Marketaki”

To Michalis Kimonas for the film “KIDDO”

A refreshing and surprisingly enjoyable directorial perspective that masterfully manages to maintain the pace in a film shot in one room.

The Award is accompanied by a cash prize of 3,500 euros offered by the Hellenic Film Center as well as Post Production services worth 2,500 euros offered by Stefilm.

  • Special Jury Award

to Evi Kalogiropoulou for the film “On Xerxes Throne”

Because it is a film that depicts the male, female and non-binary body at the limits of fluidity and seeks forbidden affection and contact within a harsh and archetypal masculine industrial environment.

  • DOCUMENTARY AWARD

to Nasos Gatzoulis for the film “Toxic Magnus”

An inventive hybrid documentary, a torrential and honest confession of an insecure and self-destructive protagonist-victim of toxic masculinity, which also made us honestly laugh with our hearts.

The award is accompanied by two cash prizes: 3,500 euros from the Greek Cypriot Association and 1,000 euros from ERT.

  • BEST SCRIPT AWARD

to Thanos Tokakis for the film “Tokakis or What’s My Name”

A complete and enjoyable, even hilarious, satire of Greek kitsch and the frenzy surrounding our public image, full of self-criticism.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euros, offered by the Greek Cycladic Society.

  • DRAMA QUEER AWARD

to Dimitris Zouras for the film “Cactus”

A bold perspective that is particularly well served by the performance of its up-and-coming young protagonist who wanders in an inhospitable Athens looking to find himself.

The award is accompanied by a prize of 2,000 euros, sponsored by Onassis Culture.

  • BEST MALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

to Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos for his performance in the film “5pm Seaside” by Valentin Stejskal

Because Tsitsiopoulos, with finesse and austerity – and with a wounded interiority – managed to convey the psyche of a man trying to negotiate love and lust.

  • BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD

To Niovi Charalabous for her performance in the film “Daphne” by Tonia Misiali

For the honest and direct performance on a difficult subject matter discussing female sexuality and the female body.

  • BEST SOUND AWARD

To Vasilis Gerodimos for the film  «PENDULUS» by Dimitris Gkotsis

For the clean and realistic feel of the sometimes inhospitable urban space.

The award is accompanied by a prize with sound design and mixing surround 5.1 services from the company DNA LAB.

  • BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD

To Nikos Linardopoulos and Leandros Ntounis

For the film «Under The Lake» by Thanasis Trouboukis

We were pleasantly surprised by the harmonious coexistence but also by the simultaneous contrast between the natural and the industrial environment.

  • BEST EDITING AWARD

to Nikos Vavouris for the film “Last Sigh“ by Haris Raftogiannis.

In this film, we really liked the masterful, sharp and yet simple changes of pace.

  • BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD

to Yiannis Kanakis for the film “Magma” by Lia Tsalta

An impressive picture that effectively served a difficult cinematic genre with consistency and perfection, creating a fantastic world of its own.

  • ORIGINAL MUSIC AWARD

to Alexandros Drymonitis for the film “Magma” by Lia Tsalta

For the evocative musical score that decisively contributes to the creation of the film’s cinematic universe.

  • “IULIA STAVRIDOU” COSTUME AWARD

to Marli Aliferi

for the film “Tokakis or What’s My Name” by Thanos Tokakis

A film with a dizzying change of attires with references to Greek kitsch that delightfully followed the speedy pace of the film.

The Greek clothing company Enjoy Fashion Point dresses the next film of the costume designer with its products.

  • SET DESIGN AWARD

to Eva Goulakou for the film “KIDDO” by Michalis Kimonas

Because he experimented with conventions of the traditional form successfully bringing them into the present day and found inventive solutions that were highly imaginative and artistic.

  • MAKEUP, HAIR & SPECIAL EFFECTS AWARD

To Ioanna Lygizou for Make-up, to Panos Kondylis for Special Make-up Effects and to Michalis Gkiokas for Special Effects in the film KIDDO by Michalis Kimonas

Because it is an extremely successful achievement, reminding us of the work of the pioneering photographer Cindy Sherman, using a grotesque approach managed to skillfully serve the tone of the film.

45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS

Head of Jury: Vasilis Kekatos, Filmmaker and Visual Artist

Jury: Claire Diao, Distributor and Film Critic

Basim Magdy, Filmmaker and Visual Artist

  • GRAND PRIX

To the Film Techno, Mama by Saulius Baradinskas from Lithuania

The 2022 DISFF Grand Prix goes to a striking film which combines toughness and tenderness in a unique way through music, frantic rhythm, daring acting and impressive mise-en-scène. This punch-in-the-face experience is a masterful demonstration of the complexity of expressing love and the urgent need to leave.

The award is accompanied by a 4.000 euros cash prize, a contribution of the company Raycap.

  • BEST DIRECTION

To the film «The Saboteur» by Ansii Kasitonni from Finland

Goes to a fearless director who made a memorable film that captures the magic of the process of filmmaking with humor and innovation. This love letter to cinema employs action to create a film within a film.

  • EFA CANDIDACY DRAMA

European Film Academy Award Nomination for Best Short Film – EFA 2022

To the film The Salamander Child by Théo Degen from Belgium

Goes to a film that successfully combines the wild imagination of a teenage boy with an absurd sense of humor. The tenderness used to film his two alienated worlds mirrors his escapist process of mourning and invites us inside a surprising world of dreams and wonder.

  • BEST SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN FILM AWARD

To the film Under The Lake by Thanasis Trouboukis from Greece

Goes to a captivating 16mm experimental film that seizes the stillness of submerged and forgotten villages. While drifting through smooth and meditative footage, the filmmaker manages to recall the ghost story of invisible lives.

  • BEST PRODUCTION AWARD “TV5 MONDE”

To the film «Cherries» by Vytautas Katkus from Lithuania

Goes to a producer who trusted a filmmaker with a very strong and personal vision. Through their collaboration, the film brilliantly transcends a seemingly banal father-and-son relationship into poetry.

  • #ThisisEU EUROPEAN VALUES AWARD

European Values Award #ThisisEU 2022, under the auspices of the European Commission in Greece

To the film «August 13th» by Ventsislav Lyubenov Sariev from Bulgaria

Goes to a debut film that also made its World Premiere at DISFF. It deals with human dignity and the right to fight for freedom and equality. This emotional short, shot in Eastern Europe, confronts us with the darkest parts of coming-of-age, and leaves the door open for a hopeful future.

  • SPECIAL MENTION

To the film «Plurabelle» by Sacha Amaral from Argentina

Goes to a debut film which made its World Premiere at DISFF and gradually exposes the loneliness of youth while seeking love and exploring sexuality through emotional detachment. For its natural acting and sensitive directing, the award goes to: Plurabelle directed by Sacha Amaral from Argentina.

  • DEVELOPMENT AWARD (Onassis Film Development Grant)

to Thanasis Troumpoukis from Greece for his film “Under The Lake”

The award is accompanied by a cash prize of 10,000 euros, offered by ONASSIS CULTURE, to develop their feature film script.

  • “HUMAN VALUES” AWARD to the film “Techno, Mama” by Saulius Barandinskas from Lithuania.

The Parliament TV Station (Vouli) awards the “Human Values” prize of the Hellenic Parliament to a film of the International Competition section which, by composing with skill, narrative economy and powerful performances the portrait of a young man trying to fulfill his dreams, highlights the problem of domestic violence violence and lack of love.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMME AWARDS 45th DRAMA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

JURY

Themis Bazaka, Actress
Lena Divani, Author
Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Filmmaker

JURY QUOTE

First of all, let’s thank the festival and the city of Drama for the hospitality and the artistic director and the programmers for their trust. We have been thinking for a long time what we should tell you and we decided to tell you the honest truth:

We envy you!

You are living the best moments of your life. You are at the beginning of the beginning, in the phase where you can dream, take risks, get out of your comfort zone, make fantastic mistakes that may not even be mistakes and watch thousands of films. Short, long, old, new, from the International Student Programme maybe – we were constantly wondering why the theaters were half empty when the International Student Programme was on -, watch delightfully bad or irritatingly good films that will inspire you and take your work further.

We won’t keep going because we are jealous of you, instead we will reward you!

Let’s start with the International Competition awards.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMME AWARDS

  • Special Mention

To the film “Before Pandemic and War, There Were Bed Bugs and Love!” by Nuruzzaman Khan from Chech Republic and India

To a film with a cool hybrid narrative, a disarming sincerity, which convinced us that unfortunately love is not as effective as a pesticide.

  • Distribution Award “Heat Me Up!”

To the film «Love You More Than Peanut Butter» by Ariadni Aggeliki Thyfronitou Lytou from Greece

Sponsorship of Radiator IP Sales, awarded to a Greek film in the programme, and offering representation for an integrated formulation of a commercial strategy, which will be addressed to buyers abroad (television stations and platforms).

  • Queer Student Award: “Loud & Proud!”

To the film “I Should Feed My Cat” by Abram Cedra from Belgium

To a film that magnified with chilling precision the disease of our age. How can I look for a caress if I’m afraid it will end in a slap?

  • Special Jury Award: “Rising Star”

To the film “The Dependent Variables” by Lorenzo Tardella  from Italy

Because no one in the festival flirted better than these two kids!

  • GRAND PRIX STUDENT: “Almost Famous”

To the film “On The Edge” by Matteo Sanders from Austria

The main characters live on the edge, but  the film has it all, narrative skill, emotional intensity, talented actors. We hope “very famous” soon!

The prize is accompanied by the amount of 1500 euros offered by Metropolitan College.

NATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMME AWARDS

  • Special Mention

To Ioanna Digenaki for the film “HAIR”

  • Editing Award

To Danae Xilogianni Gkontria for the film  «Love you more than peanut butter»

The company Green Pixel makes their award-winning editing suite available for their next film.

  • Best Acting Award

to Elina Tsiorbatzi & Eleni Georgakis for the film “Tsoulakia / Hussies”

  • Sound Design Award

to Giorgos Bisdikis for the film “Photosensitivity / Sun & Shadow”

The award is accompanied by sound design and 5.1 surround mixing services from DNA LAB and also a 6-month internship at Green Pixel.

  • Set Design Award

to Eva Kourelia & Eleni Sampri for the film “Tsoulakia / Hussies”. The award is accompanied by a 6-month internship at the Green Pixel company.

  • “Dinos Katsouridis” Photography Award

to Michalis Gajoias for the film “Sun & Shadow”

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

  • Screenplay Award

to Stelios Christoforou for the film “Sammer”

The award is accompanied by a cash prize of 1,500 offered by the ANT1 Screenplay School.

  • Directing Award

to Semeli Safou for the film “All that remains”

The award comes with the free disposal of a camera for their next short film by Karamanos STUDIOS.

  • “Frida Liappa” Greek Study Film Award

to Despina Mavridou for the movie “Hussies”

The Award comes with a cash prize of 5,000.

SHORT & GREEN AWARDS 2022 – 45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

  • DRAMA GREEN AWARD

To the film Gardens Petrified, by Ali Cabbar from Turkey

A fiction film that illustrates the selection of Short and Green in the best possible way, portraying a strong story with a well orchestrated editing rhythm.

Accompanied by a cash prize of 4,000 euros sponsored by CYCLOPS

  • Special Jury Award

To the film Aralkum, from Daniel Asadi Faezi and Mila Zhluktenko from Uzbekistan

A film that combines a unique mix of documentary and experimental form. A warning story about the uncontrolled range that a human intervention to the environmental balance can take. A new cinematic reality very well constructed by the authors, in an impressive movie.

  • Special Mention

To the film Sirens by Ilaria Di Carlo from Germany

To an impressive and poetic movie, not only for the filming, the beautiful rhythm, the harmony and the brilliant music that made it an unforgettable experience. But also for the decision to make the catastrophe a poem. For the tenderness of embracing the darkness and lighting our souls through art. Well, that’s a way to save us.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2022 –  45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

  • Best Animation Film Award ASIFA HELLAS – GIANNIS VASILIADIS

The winner of the Animation Competition is A Garbage Man by the Portuguese Director Laura Goncalves

It is a complete film where the animation technique and the storyline turn a very personal story into a story that can catch us all.

Congratulations to the Winner !

DRAMA PITCHING LAB 2022 AWARDS – 45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

  • FINOS FILM AWARD

To the film ‘Tavern of Shadows” by İlyas Soner Yıldırım from Turkey

The award is accompanied by a prize of 2000 euros from FINOS FILM.

  • GREEK CINEMA CENTER AWARD

To the film “The weight of Air” by Carlos Ormeño Palma, from Peru

The award is accompanied by a prize of 1,500 euros from the Greek Cypriot Association.

Sessions of further development and script corrections on selected projects:

#bagets rider FREE HD, Lester Cristal, Philippines

HAG / Didimokorfo by Achilleas Gatsopoulos, Germany / Greece

FILM SOCIETIES AWARDS –  45th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

  • ETEKT AWARD to Dimitris Gkotsis for the film «PENDULUS»

The Technical Excellence Award of the Union of Greek Cinema and Television Technicians for achieving a functionally structured result from every filmmaking aspect.

  • Union of Greek Cinematographers (G.S.C)

to Fili Olsefski for the film “Yama” by Andreas Vakalios

For the script’s robustness and inventiveness,  illuminating childhood and difficult social nuances.

The Union of Greek Cinematographers (GSC) is excited to participate, for another year, in the process of following the evolution of visual storytelling, of cinematography to put it simply, in the National Competition Programme of the Drama Festival and to distinguish a fellow young filmmaker.

This year the committee members were Olympia Mytilineou, Christos Karamanis and George Fredzos.

The award is accompanied by a prize worth 2,000 euros, an offer by the ANMAR image laboratory in services for colour correction and DCP.

  • Federation of Cinematic Clubs of Greece (OKLE)

in the film “No Tomorrow” by Amerissa Basta

For the realistic depiction of the main character, who, inside a problematic environment, with the absence of a father being strong, carries the burden of the family and holds morality and dignity high and for the immediacy of the image, the creative use of hip hop music and the atmosphere of the natural spaces, which contribute positively to the artistic effect and the truth of the story.

  • Panhellenic Union of Cinema Critics (P.E.K.K.)

in the film “Pendulus” by Dimitris Gotsis

For the director’s ability to balance the internal pendulum of the hero’s search for identity. After all, nationalism has no identity!

  • International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI)

in the film Under The Lake by Thanasis Troumpoukis

The committee decided to award the prize to a film that impressed us for its enchanting images. A film that directly flirts with fiction, documentary and experimental montage. With truly beautiful photography, on film, the director takes us on this almost hypnotic journey through the water.

AUDIENCE AWARD 2022 45th DRAMA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

The 2022 Audience Award goes to the film“PENDULUS” by Dimitris Gotsis