EKOME actively supports the 62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival, which returns dynamically this year on-site with a physical presence of visitors and professionals and screenings in theatres. A central point of reference for EKOME is again this year the Agora taking place from 5 to 9 November with the participation of the audiovisual sector professionals from around the world.
The EKOME stand in Warehouse C will be open during the Festival, giving the opportunity to professionals and visitors to discover its work, the positive results from the financial incentives implementation in audiovisual production, educational and professional training programs and the progress of the national repository of audiovisual works.
Agora Talks
As part of the actions of the Market, EKOME supports and participates in the discussions for professionals “Agora Talks” hosted in Warehouse.
Bullying at work in the audiovisual sector, as well as the methods and tools helping to secure a safer work environment, is the topic of the discussion, organized by EKOME in collaboration with EWA – European Women’s Audiovisual Network. The discussion takes place on Sunday, November 7. Speakers: Jenni Koski, General Director, EWA, Vassiliki Diagouma, Head of Communication & International Relations Department, EKOME, Anna Kasimati, Head of Creative Europe Media Desk – Greece, Katerina Kaklamani, Head of Development, Mega Channel, Kalliopi Lykovardi, Gender Equality Deputy, The Greek Ombudsman.
On Sunday, November 7, the producers Bettina Brokemper (Heimatfilm – Germany) and Konstantinos Kontovrakis (Heretic – Greece), Stelios Kraounakis, Head of Investment Incentives and Financing Directorate, EKOME, and Venia Vergou, Director, Hellenic Film Commission present the case study of the film “Daughters”, one of the first European co-productions to resume film shooting after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.
A new, annual audiovisual professionals’ training program “S2M (Story2Market)”, supported by EKOME, is presented within the frame of the Agora Talks, on Wednesday, November 10, aiming to team story with market professionals to create stories in a new way, and learn techniques utilizing new, digital tools.
Films supported by the Greek Cash Rebate program
For the first time in the history of the Festival, nine Greek films, more than ever, participate in its three competition sections. Two projects supported by EKOME stand out in the International Competition Program, namely the films “Sheep Pack” directed by Dimitris Kanellopoulos and produced by Jungle Films & Graal Films and “Holy Emy” by film director Araseli Laimou and producer Studio Bauhaus, competing for the Golden Alexander Award.
Four Greek films also supported by the cash rebate program of EKOME make their official debut in Thessaloniki: “Kalavrita 1943” by Nikolas Dimitropoulos produced by Foss Productions, “Luger” by Costas Charalambous produced by EYESIN IKE, “A Pure Place” by Nikias Chrysos produced by Violet Pictures UG, as well as the short film “Brutalia, Days of Labour”, that won best film award at the Semaine de la Critique in 2021 Cannes Festival and at the International Drama Short Film Festival, directed by Manolis Mavris and produced by Avion Films & Stathi Twins.
Besides the Greek films, there are three international co-productions with Greek co-producer Heretic that were supported by the Greek cash rebate programme and participate in the Open Horizons section of the Festival: the films “Do not hesitate”, “Daughters” and “Mediterraneo”.
“Motherland, I see you” at the 62nd TIFF
Eight Greek masterpieces that were restored and digitized within the framework of the initiative “Motherland, I see you: The 20th century of Greek cinema”, a major sponsor of which is EKOME, will be screened with free admission for the public. As part of the action, on Friday, November 5, at 18.00, in the Frida Liapa theatre, the silent film “Astero” accompanied by live music by Nalyssa Green will be screened, and on Sunday, November 7, at 12.00, in Warehouse C, the special bilingual edition of EAK, “Motherland, I see you” is presented by Nefeli publishing house.