The Newcomers and Greek Short Film Awards at the 21st Athens International Film Festival - Opening Nights!
During a festive evening, celebrating the future of homegrown cinema, the Athens International Film Festival handed out the Greek Short Film and Best Newcomer Awards, honoring up-and-coming talent.
During a festive evening, celebrating the future of homegrown cinema, the Athens International Film Festival handed out the Greek Short Film and Best Newcomer Awards, honoring up-and-coming talent.
The inventive horror film “Norway” by Yannis Veslemes, the moving brotherly bond between the two leads in “Xenia” and the piercing central performance in Syllas Tzoumerkas’ “A Blast” stood out, unanimously awarded by the 21st Athens International Film Festival jury.
The jury, consisting of Pantelis Voulgaris (director), Thodoris Koutsogiannopoulos (journalist), Ilias Georgopoulos (distributor/movie theater owner), Andonis Kotzias (Visual Effects Supervisor) and Lena Papaligoura (actress) handed out the following awards:
Best Director to Yannis Veslemes for his film “Norway”, honoring “his bold and inventive decision to adapt his worldly arthouse references to Greek standards.” The filmmaker thanked the jury, mentioning he has been following the festival since day one.
The Best Actor Award went to Kostas Nikouli and Nikos Gelia, the starring duo in “Xenia” for “their fascinating interpretation of two very complex characters that brought out the human aspect of the story, perfectly complementing each other.” The two actors got up on stage to receive their awards, thanking director Panos H. Koutras for this huge opportunity that allowed them to develop a real brotherly bond. Kostas Nikouli thanked the audience for supporting Greek cinema and suggested we all join forces to make better movies.
The Best Actress Award went to Maria Filini for her appearance in “A Blast”, “a brilliantly realistic portrait that attributed a special personality to her character thanks to superior acting.” Maria Filini thanked director Syllas Tzoumerkas for putting his trust in her and supporting her as a true friend. She also thanked the festival and joked about this being her first award since a prize-winning high school essay on the merits of the European Union!
Jury President Pantelis Voulgaris thanked the festival for satisfying the audience’s insatiable hunger for cinema, while also wishing everyone who competed for the Awards good luck and a healthy appetite for filmmaking!
The Greek Short Film Awards had been announced a day early at a special ceremony at the IANOS bookstore, but the Newcomers Awards Gala afforded them the opportunity to publicly give thanks to everyone who deserves it. The winners kept their speeches brief, grateful to their collaborators for making their dreams come true.
Greek Short Film Awards:
Best Film: “Simon Says” by Nikos Tsemberopoulos
Second Best Film: “Dream Toy” by Christos Chouliaras
Third Best Film: "Ecdysis" by Faidra Tsolina
Best Director: “Icarus” by Giorgos Fourtounis
Best Script: "Euroman" by Gavriil Tzafkas
Special Mention: "March 4" by Dimitris Nakos
Best Animation: "The Leaf Of The Poplar" by Eirini Vianelli
Special Jury Award: "Archipelagos, Naked Granites" by Daphné Hérétakis
The evening was concluded with a screening of “Hail Arcadia” by Filippos Koutsaftis, a mystical exploration through a landscape riddled with myths, past and present. The Official Competition and the Music & Film Competition Section Awards will be announced during the festival’s Closing Gala on Sunday, October 4.
