Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2024, Greece

Every November, Thessaloniki hosts one of the most prestigious film events in Southern Europe, renowned for showcasing emerging directors and innovative storytelling techniques. The festival is a significant platform for up-and-coming filmmakers and attracts industry talent. In addition to film screenings, the event features workshops, panel discussions, sidebar events, and a variety of activities designed for audiences of all ages, making it a vibrant celebration of cinema.

Programme

The Thessaloniki Film Festival features a diverse program that includes an Official International Competition for first and second-full-length feature films, highlighting emerging directors. Alongside this, there is an Official Non-Competitive Section dedicated to showcasing notable Greek films. The festival also presents "Independence Days," an international informative section offering a panorama of films from around the world, as well as Retrospectives and Tributes to both new and leading international filmmakers. A special section titled "Balkan Survey" focuses on films from the Balkan region, while Out of Competition and Special Screenings highlight unique cinematic works. Additionally, the festival hosts a Co-Production Forum and a Film Market, providing industry professionals with opportunities to network, pitch projects, and explore collaborative ventures.

Awards

The Thessaloniki International Film Festival is celebrated for its prestigious awards recognizing cinematic excellence. The Golden Alexander is awarded for the best feature film, while the Silver Alexander acknowledges outstanding artistic merit. Individual talents are honored with awards for Best Director, Best Script, and performances in Best Female Performance and Best Male Performance categories. Additionally, the Best Artistic Achievements award highlights creativity in filmmaking.

History of Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Founded in 1960, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) evolved from a predominantly Greek film festival into an international event in 1992. Today, it showcases approximately 150 films each year across four different theaters and the Film Museum, attracting over 70,000 attendees.