For the past ten years, every July, for 12 to 14 days, the Aegean Film Festival has been presenting fiction, documentary and short programmes, filmmaking seminars, masterclasses and networking events.
The Festival has the mission to promote films and new ideas, educate the next generations of filmmakers and host a unique celebration of cinema. The Festival team is honoured to invite filmmakers to the islands of Patmos, Paros and Spetses in order to present their work to both international and local audiences.
Programming:
The AegeanFF Programming team curates an average of 8 programmes consisting of fiction feature films, documentaries and short films. Each year, the festival introduces more than 30 feature fiction and documentary premieres, 50 shorts and a series of environmental docs.
For the next edition, the programming team is watching your films and selecting them with the guidance of the festival’s advisory board, including:
Frédéric Boyer (Artistic Dir. Tribeca FF), Alexander Payne (Film Director), Alin Tasciyan (FIPRESCI), Thanassis Karathanos (Film Producer), Jesper Jack (Documentary Producer) and more.
History
In 2010 the Aegean Film Festival was founded in Patmos island as a way of bringing together filmmaking communities while introducing a meeting point and a celebration of independent cinema in the heart of the Greek summer.
The Festival provides flawless screening conditions in custom built open air cinemas, stress-free times for networking, inspiring seminars and events and finally the chance to promote films beyond Greece through collaborations with other festivals across the globe.
In 2016, the Aegean Film Festival launched the environmental programme “Echoes”, an international summit for filmmakers, writers, scientists and opinion leaders where they meet on the islands to present their work and to find sustainable solutions to pressing issues of our planet. The programme is consisted of documentary screenings, Q&A’s, panel talks, presentations, workshops, dinner events and a sustainability summit .
In 2017 the Festival introduced the award for Best International Short which was later followed with the addition of Best Greek Short Film Award as well as two Audience Awards for Best Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature plus two special mentions from the Jury.
In 2021 we announced our Script Competition - Rescript the Future - for environmental short documentaries, in partnership with Waterbear Network. Up to 10 awards of a total value of 85.000 euros were awarded to young filmmakers (until the age of 24) who pitched their eco short ideas to the competition jury.
We are looking forward to meeting you on the islands and celebrate storytelling and new bold voices.
Best Aegean Short Film:
Jury Award € 2000,00*
Best Greek Short Film:
Jury Award € 1500,00*
ReScript the Future - Environmental Short Script Awards:
1st - €25.000 (ages 13-17)
2nd - €25.000 (ages 18-24)
Runner Ups: 8 paid Internship Programmes with WaterBear and AegeanFF
Feature Fiction Audience Award
Feature Documentary Audience Award
(*) To be awarded in the form of a cash prize or distribution deal
Benefits:
All Selected filmmakers in the competition programme also receive:
1. Accommodation for three nights (single occupancy).
2. Festival Guest Pass providing access to all screenings, seminars and events.
3. Access to dedicated industry seminars and the "Filmmaker's Brunch" - a series of networking events presented by industry experts.
4. Promotion for the short films and press focus covered by the Festival's Media Sponsors.
5. The option for their films to travel and be screened as part of curated programmes in affiliated festivals.
6. AegeanFF Partners Offers including discounts up to 30% on ferry tickets, restaurants, bars, rentals, hotels).
7. Special Guest Passes for plus ones to accompany the filmmakers to the islands and enjoy the same benefits with the invited guests.
2022 Jury will be announced in Spring 2022.
2021 Film Jury:
Eva Sangiorgi, artistic director of VIENNALE - Vienna International Film Festival, writer and programmer based in Vienna.
Jukka-Pekka Laakso, festival director, Tampere Film Festival and executive director for Pirkanmaa Film Centre.
Phaedra Vokali, general director of the Hellenic Film Academy, producer and filmmaker. Has worked in film distribution, served as head of programming at the Athens International Film Festival and editor-in-chief of Cinema Magazine.
Thodoris Koutsogiannopoulos, Lifo’s film critic, reviewer, interviewer and festival correspondent for ALPHA TV.
2021 Awards
Best Aegean Short Film:
NAYA / Sebastian Mulder
Best Greek Short Film:
Route-3 / Thanasis Neofotistos
Jury Special Mention:
As if underwater / Anthie Daoutaki
Feature Fiction Audience Award
Monday / Argyris Papadimitropoulos
Feature Documentary Audience Award
Bee Gees: How can you mend a broken heart / Frank Marshall
