PDSFF23 - Resistances, 16 - 19 March 2023, Athens (main event),Athens, Istanbul, Belgrade, Sofia, Zagreb, Dakar, and Nicosia (simultaneous screenings of awarded films).

PDSFF23 is a trans-local cinematographic space of creation and resistance. We collectively negate the existing order that disconnects and confines persons, communities and struggles. We claim a new space where we can be together in all our diversity - safe and brave at the same time.

We invite filmmakers, documentarists, visual content creators, students and emerging artists to submit their shorts. We are particularly interested in the topic of intersectionality; in the stories of communities and individuals that, due to their identities and life-experiences, remain unseen.

Positively Different Short Film Festival focuses on the multiple facets of oppression and aspires to further creative works, cultural networks and political causes from and about the 'invisibles' of modern societies. Our team and audience seek for shorts that reflect personal involvement and urgency. Aesthetic coherence charms us; clarity, simplicity, tacitness, excite us.

Submissions from Africa in PDSFF are fewer than other parts of the globe. This, however, reflects neither the quality nor the quantity of works produced. PDSFF23 gives space and motivation to African filmmakers to share their work.

The festival will feature a curated catalogue of 30 short films that will be screened at TRIANON cinema in Athens from March 16 to 19 competing for 4 prizes – Best Film Award, Audience Award, Best Greek Production, Curators' Award. Concerts, workshops and masterclasses, special screenings, poetry-slam sessions and discussions will assemble an intense three-day celebration of diversity and togetherness. On the fourth day, awarded films will be simultaneously screened in special events organised around the world. At least 3 screenings will be organised in Europe and one in Africa.

The festival will support all finalists to join festival events in person.

Awards & Prizes

Best Film Award: 1000 euro
Audience Award: 500 euro
Best Greek Film Award: 500 euro

Travel & subsistence costs: The festival will support all finalists to join in person.

Rules & Terms

- Early bird deadline: 25 August 2022 [free]
- Regular submission deadline: 31 October 2022 [5 euros]
- Topics: Intersectionality; LGBTQI+; Feminism; Oppression; Privilege.
- Age of video makers: There is no age limit to the participants in the competition.
- Origin: There is no limitation or restriction to the origin of the video or its author.
- Duration: Videos should be up to 30 minutes long.
- Completion date of the film: after 01/07/2021
- Waivers: Films where at least one of the main contributors is African are eligible for a fee waiver and for competing for the Best African Production award. Waivers are also available on a case by a case basis. If you want to be considered for one, briefly explain the reason by writing us at positivelydifferentff@gmail.com)
- Submission fee: 5 euro
- Categories: Documentary, fiction, animation, experimental, video art.

Submission of your video
- You can use Vimeo (by submitting your password) or any other platform to submit the video. Other forms of submission (e.g. USB stick delivered to our office) will also be accepted.
- The video files should be in one of the formats: AVI, MP4 or MOV.
- Videos created with a smartphone are encouraged and will also be accepted.
- Suggested frame size 1080 * 1920
- Language: The video can be in any language, subtitled in English.
- More information available here: positivelydifferentff@gmail.com, indicating in the subject line of your e-mail: “Video Call 2023”.

Film Festival Terms
- The final number of films that will be screened during the festival in Athens depends on the final decision of the organising team.
- The final films will be selected by the International Jury of the Film Festival by February, 2023.
- The selection of the screened films, the order of projection and the programme are decided by the organisers, based on the technical specifications, the duration and the grouping of the films.
- The finalists will be informed by January, 2023 about the progress of their film in the contest.
- The organising team of the Positively Different Short Film Festival, reserves the right to project part of the final selection whenever it is needed for reasons of promotion of the Festival and under no circumstances for commercial causes.
- The finalists have to inform the organisers whether they will attend the festival so as the organising team can organise their trip and stay.
- There will be a jury prize, an audience prize, and an award for the Best Greek Production. The organisers will decide about the possibility of giving special prizes regarding the amount and the characteristics of the finalist films.
- The award ceremony will take place in Athens in a special ceremony right after the end of the competitive programme of the Positively Different Short Film Festival.
- Prizes consist of cash awards as well as promotion in other events of the organisation throughout the year
- Participants agree to give interviews to the communication sponsors and to be photographed if asked.
- Parts of the Festival will be filmed for Inter Alia’s archive and for its promotion to the public. Members of the audience and participants that may appear in these parts cannot claim anything from the organising company.
- During the Positively Different Short Film Festival parallel events will take place.
- Positively Different Short Film Festival organising team reserves the right to cancel the Festival if it is necessary
- The sending out of the signed participation form entails the complete and unconditional acceptance of the above terms of participation.
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vera Papadopoulou

    It was a fantastic festival! The whole team was very friendly and so cool! The program was very interesting! For sure one of the best festivals in Athens!

    April 2023
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  • Randa Ali

    A truly special festival run by an incredible team. Thank you so much for giving the space to Kingdom of Strangers to be in your selection.

    March 2023
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  • Alexis Hatzigiannis

    This is a great Festival! The whole team is so cool, hospitable and polite. For sure one of the best Festivals in the city.

    Our movie won the audience award and we had a great time.

    See you next year.

    March 2023
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  • Niklas Bauer

    Overall a fantastic festival with many great opportunities to network and enjoy your time in Athens.
    Great communication beforehand, especially since the strike made it difficult to arrive as planned. Still we got an amazing adventure with amazingly curated films and a very forthcoming team.
    Hope to see all of you soon again!

    March 2023
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  • Juliette Klinke

    Festival so necessary and important! A place with real values, seeking diversity of point of views and stories.
    It was great, inspiring and full of beautiful people.

    March 2022
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