June 2025
The Evia Film Project (June 17–21, 2025), Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s green initiative, returns to Northern Evia for its fourth edition, bringing sustainability and humanity’s connection with nature to the forefront. This year, the linchpin between the films and the actions of the festival is the Greek summer.
The five-day celebration will feature free open-air screenings at the summer cinemas of Edipsos, Limni, and the Fishing Shelter in Agia Anna. The program includes acclaimed Greek and international films that rediscover the spirit of the Greek summer such as Mamma Mia! by Phyllida Lloyd, Animal by Sofia Exarchou, Suntan by Argyris Papadimitropoulos (photo), Super Paradise by Steve Krikris, The Big Blue by Luc Besson, Before Midnight by Richard Linklater, etc. Audiences will also enjoy a curated selection of short films that, though diverse in origin, converge around the festival’s main theme, along with daily VR screenings in Loutra Edipsou (Edipsos Thermal Baths).
In addition to screenings, the Evia Film Project hosts masterclasses, professional networking activities, workshops for children and students, and special musical events.
A highlight of the event is the thematic conference on June 20 in the coastal town of Limni. The agenda will explore climate change’s effects on the Greek summer, local traditions, tourism, social life, and cultural identity. The discussion will also delve into cinematic storytelling under the summer sun: How do you film Greek light? How is the authenticity of landscape and lifestyle portrayed? What are the challenges of summer film production?
Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne made a return appearance at this year’s Aigio film festival (June 15-22), held annually in the Greek town with which he has family ties. Payne hosted the new initiative “Alexander Payne Presents,” introducing one of his favorite films, Thieves’ Highway by Jules Dassin, another great Greek-American. The festival, officially named the Aigio International Short Film Festival “Theodoros Angelopoulos”, is a vibrant event inspired by the legendary Greek filmmaker. It is dedicated to showcasing short films and creatively focused on the future of cinema.
The 16th Iris Awards Ceremony of the Hellenic Film Academy took place on June 11, 2025, in a dazzling event at the Onassis Stegi. President Lefteris Charitos highlighted the ongoing struggle and pivotal moment for Greek cinema. “Arcadia” by Yorgos Zois (photo), won the three major awards: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. “He Loved Blossoms More” by Yannis Veslemes won eight awards, including Best Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Editing, Original Score, and Sound. “Stelios” by Yorgos Tsemberopoulos won two (Supporting Actress, Costume Design), as did “Kyuka Before Summer’s End” by Kostis Charamountanis (Debut Director, Lead Actress). “Meat” by Dimitris Nakos won Best Actor, and “Stray Bodies” by Elina Psykou was awarded Best Documentary. The much-awaited event will take place on May 31 at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater, following the West Coast Premiere of the latest Gavras film “Last Breath”, as a part of the LAGFF Costa-Gavras multi-event Tribute.
