Thessaloniki Film Festival Draws 89,000 Visitors at Its 65th Edition in Greece
The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), held in Greece from October 31 to November 10, 2024, concluded with an impressive attendance of 89,000 spectators and visitors. Showcasing 252 films across 281 screenings in physical venues, the festival emphasized diverse cinematic voices while attracting global attention. An additional 67 films were available online, expanding its reach to virtual audiences.
Among the festival's highlights was the Agora industry platform, where 648 professionals participated in 583 meetings, fostering collaborations on new projects. This year’s festival screened 211 films exclusively for journalists and industry experts, offering a robust selection for professional audiences.
One of the standout initiatives, Meet the Future, centered on the art of film scoring with the tribute “Music in Motion.” Esteemed artists like Zbigniew Preisner, Suzana Perić, and Greek composers Nikos Kypourgos and Evanthia Reboutsika led masterclasses at the packed Pavlos Zannas Theater. Casting director Ellen Lewis also delivered an insightful session, attracting a large student audience.
The festival honored Greek filmmaker Panos H. Koutras with the Golden Alexander award. A tribute to his innovative career included a colloquium and a masterclass where Koutras explored the queer identity of his films, sharing insights from his 25-year career in Greek cinema.
Immersive cinema took center stage with 882 screenings of virtual reality films competing for the Golden Alexander Immersive Award. Danish artist Carl Emil Carlsen’s installation Intangible also drew attention in this section. Additionally, the Podcast Competition Section engaged 1,446 listeners with content available on the festival's website.
Over 2,845 visitors toured the main exhibition We, the Monster, housed at the MOMus-Experimental Center for the Arts. This exhibition remains open to the public until November 24, 2024.
The festival enjoyed significant support from Greek cultural institutions, regional programs, and private sponsors, ensuring a seamless experience for audiences and filmmakers alike. It was made possible through funding from the EU’s NextGenerationEU program under the “Greece 2.0” initiative.
As Thessaloniki’s port city ambiance enhanced the cinematic celebration, the festival organizers look forward to hosting the 27th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival from March 6 to 16, 2025.