For the past ten years, every July, 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)
Robert Dick (Sundance FF)
Alin Tasciyan (FIPRESCI)
Thanassis Karathanos (Film Producer)
Jesper Jack (Documentary Producer)
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 AegeanFF launched the environmental programme Echoes, an international summit where filmmakers, writers, scientists and opinion leaders meet, present their work and find sustainable solutions to pressing issues of our planet The programme is consisted of documentary screenings, Q&A’s, panel talks, presentations, workshops, networking events and a sustainability summit .
In 2017 the Festival introduced the Best International Short Film Award which was soon followed by the Best Greek Short Film Award and two Audience Awards for Favourite Feature Fiction Film and Favourite Documentary Feature. The jury also awards a Special Mention.
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.
Finally in 2022 we introduced the “Festival Alliance for the Climate” with the mission to join forces and help festivals become more sustainable while they amplify the impact of environmental and short films.
We are looking forward to meeting you on the islands and celebrating storytelling and new bold voices.
Best Aegean Short Film:
Jury Award € 3000,00*
Best Greek Short Film:
Jury Award € 2000,00*
ReScript the Future - Environmental Short Script Awards (ages 13-24):
Grand Award: €25.000
Impact Award: Internship programmes with the Aegean FF and WaterBear.
Runner Ups: Perks including AegeanFF Guest Passes and discounts to attend the festival.
Audience Award for Favourite Fiction Film
Audience Award for Favourite Documentary
AegeanFF Sustainability Award
(*) To be awarded in the form of a cash prize
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 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 with 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.
2023 Jury will be announced in Spring 2023.
2022 Film Jury:
CLAIRE DENIS - Filmmaker | Chocolat (1988), Beau Travail (1999), Stars at Noon (2022)
PETER VAN HOOF - Film Programmer | Cinema de Balie, Into The Great Wide Open
THANASIS NEOFOTISTOS - Film director, Writer, Head Programmer | DISFF
NIHAN SIVRIDAG - Selection Committee Member | Berlinale Shorts
2022 Awards
Best Aegean Short Film:
No Signal by Adrien Genoudet
Best Greek Short Film:
From The Balcony by Aris Kaplanidis
Jury Special Mention:
Party Poster by Rishi Chandna
Feature Fiction Audience Award:
You Resemble Me by Dina Amer
Feature Documentary Audience Award:
Nothing Compares by Kathryn Ferguson