Greece Special (3): How is the film festival in Thessaloniki going?

 

If all goes well, on November 6, the 56th Thessaloniki International Film Festival launched. Less well-known than Rotterdam, Berlin or Locarno, but the most important festival in southern Europe. And they have quirky and broad programming, where you can discover all kinds of new filmmakers. But will it go well?

The first festival dates back to 1960 and was then a purely Greek affair. Since 1992, they have started to programme internationally and play a bigger role in the festival circuit. Although they are not as big as, say, the IFFR, they are much more than a 'regional' festival. Last year, for instance, they had a retrospective around Hanna Schygulla and Roy Andersson, as well as lesser-known names like Ramin Bahrani.

They also have a Greek section, and Balkan section, an international competition and an international programme. And part of the selection here is familiar from IFFR and from the regular programming of film houses. Still, when watching previous editions, I came across a lot of unknown names. New makers from all corners of the world. That makes me curious. I might want to travel to Greece in November, but will there be a festival, so in the middle of this crisis?

Reason to get in touch and see how people in Thessaloniki are sailing in these harsh times.

Director of the TIFF is Dimitri Eipides, with a career as programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, programme director of the Reykjavik IFF and as founder of the Montreal Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, he is a seasoned festival man.

I put 4 pressing questions to him.

HW: Does the current economic situation have a direct impact on the festival? Are there still subsidies and will European funds be released?

DE: The current situation affects all aspects of life. However, a financial crisis is nothing new in Greece. We have had more problems in recent years and we have learned to live with them. The Thessaloniki International Film Festival operates in the same way. The festival budget has shrunk substantially over the past four years, which is why we have sought (and received) support from European funds, both for the TIFF and the Documentary Festival. It is too early to know whether those funds will be available in the near future but we are confident that we can continue to use European funds and organisations.

HW: Specifically, how are the preparations for the festival going?

THE:Despite the difficulties and uncertainties that certainly have their impact, we are simply preparing. We feel responsible to our partners, the public and our own history. Our mission is to renew the festival time and again. But above all, we have an obligation to all the new filmmakers around the world, who, despite their own, sometimes problematic situation, keep reinventing cinema. It is up to festivals like ours to discover and support their talent.

HW: I noticed that nothing was happening on Twitter and Facebook. Is that a sign of impending doom or a summer of working on other things? I am a bit worried.

THE: It's summer. It's a quieter period and we are now sticking to screenings at the Thessaloniki Cinemathèque. But in a very short while we will be back with news!

I noticed that no Greek festival is doing anything on social media now. Even the short film festival in Drama is silent. Surely, a suspicion creeps up on me that it is not just the heat, but that insecurity is affecting them all more than they can possibly hint at. Time to ask about the content. Perhaps we can pry something more loose there.

HW: Can you already give a hint of the festival veil?

THE: No, it is still too early for that. We are working hard on the programme and sometime in early September we will be able to announce the first tributes and special guests. After that, the other parts will also come up.

Maybe that's not so strange either. After all, it is high summer and over 3 months before the festival.

Maybe I should just book a ticket and a hotel and see what happens. Harsh statements about how things are going now I can't shake. Understandable. When everything is uncertain, right down to the currency that will be there by November, you can't say anything with certainty either. I hope they are in for a great festival. A lot is happening in Greek cinema, but also in neighbouring countries. Those filmmakers deserve a festival like Thessaloniki's. Maybe they could use another crew member. In that case, you will get a sneak peek in November.

If you would like to contribute to my travel expenses, you can make a donation below. Please do mention that it is for the Greek festival. Thank you in advance!