The 8th Greece International Film Festival returns to Athens on September 29 and 30, bringing Oscar-winning, Venice-selected and international films to the open-air Cine Alimos by the sea.
Hosted by the Municipality of Alimos, the festival will begin at 19:15 on both nights and offer free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
The two-day programme brings together fiction films, documentaries, animation, music videos and video dance works from filmmakers around the world, alongside world, European, Greek and Athens premieres.
Among the highlights is Two People Exchanging Saliva, directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh, which will receive its Athens premiere after winning the Academy Award® for Best Live Action Short Film.
Set in a dystopian society where kissing carries a death sentence and shoppers pay for goods by receiving slaps in the face, the film follows Angine, an unhappy woman who develops an attraction to a playful salesgirl. Their growing closeness attracts the attention of a jealous colleague.
The festival will also present Sasso, Carta, Forbici (Rock, Paper, Scissors) by Virginia Mori in its Greek premiere. The film was selected for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival – Orizzonti Corti.
Set in an amusement park during a day with friends, the film explores childhood, relationships, memories and the subtle rituals that accompany the transition into adulthood.
The programme also features the international premiere of Nueve Auras, a feature documentary by Mariano Frigerio about Argentine filmmaker Fabián Bielinsky, director of Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) and El Aura.
Through interviews, previously unreleased archival material and visits to locations from Bielinsky’s films, the documentary examines his creative journey and cinematic legacy. Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, Leticia Brédice, Dolores Fonzi and other collaborators recall their experiences working with the director.
Beyond screenings, the festival will host discussions and Q&A sessions that give audiences an opportunity to meet filmmakers and discuss their work and creative processes.
The programme also includes screenplays and stage plays, highlighting the writing and ideas that form the foundation of stories before they reach the screen.
An international jury of more than 25 figures from cinema and the arts will assess films across the festival’s 10 competitive sections. Audiences will also vote for their favourite films, with the award results due to be announced in October.
The Greece International Film Festival says it remains committed to supporting emerging filmmakers and Greek cinema, including established professionals, young directors and students.
Accessibility and inclusion also form part of the festival’s programme. Cine Alimos is accessible to people with disabilities, while free admission allows audiences to attend regardless of their financial circumstances.
Filmmakers from different countries and cultural backgrounds will add further international perspectives to the programme.
The 8th Greece International Film Festival will take place on Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30, from 19:15, at the open-air Cine Alimos in the Municipality of Alimos.
The festival is hosted by the Municipality of Alimos and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Region of Attica.
Admission is free, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
