Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In a world that thirsts for peace,

let's unite our voices through the art of documentary,

offering hope, understanding and light.

Greek Documentary Association

17/10/2024

Depi Vrettou interviews Eyal Sivan for his guest spot on ''Eyes Wide Open 2024''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTSDUG74nFg

1/7/2024

THE GREEK DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

AT SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC 2024

In La Rochelle, 24 - 27 June 2024

SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC MISSION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED FOR SEVENTH YEAR

With the support of the Hellenic Cinema Center and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival Sunny Side of the Doc, one of the most important European markets and co-productions forum that takes place every year in France, concluded this year with the participation of 2,100 documentary professionals from 68 countries, 1,000 companies, 90 exhibitors and 250 buyers from all over the world.

The Greek delegation consisting of colleagues Anneta Papathanasiou and Fotini Economopoulou presented and supported 43 documentaries submitted by Greek documentary filmmakers and producers.

This year, we had the pleasure of having near us and participating in Sunny Side of the Doc, the producer Constantina Stavrianou and the director Nikos Ziogas, with the documentary in development "The Lake" which was awarded by Sunny Side of the Doc in the context of pitching forum of the 26th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

EEN had its own Pavilion and our representatives welcomed dozens of foreign distributors, sales agents and channel representatives who were interested and informed about the latest production of Greek documentaries.

A catalog was created in digital and printed form that included the full details of the films as well as a short video that we projected on a screen at our Stand.

This year, the attendance of Sunny Side of the Doc participants at the Greek Pavilion was exceptionally large, making EEN's presence significantly stronger than any other year and giving a step to the presentation of the Greek Documentary on the International Market.

During the four days, a series of contacts were organized with specific targeting per film and several appointments were made with representatives of channels such as ARTE, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, NHK, RAI, TV Monaco, Documentary Channel DMedia-Group, PBS, RTP2, Avotros. We also contacted online channels - platforms - Sales Agents & Distributors: W4tch tv, Espresso Media, Cat & Docs, Visiblefilm, GA&A Sales & Acquisitions, Poorhouse International, MONICA CARPI TV DISTRIBUTION, ADR Distribution, Taskovski Films, TVF International, Scriptline , Filmoption, Wild Stories, SPECEE Media.

The well-established and beloved "Ouzo Party", which was a great success this year, was attended by representatives from all areas but also from the corresponding Unions of other countries in Brazil, Poland, Germany, Spain and many others.

For EEN, extroversion and the creation of an expanded network of relations and contacts with the international market remains vital for the recognition of Greek documentary abroad.

We owe a big thank you to colleagues Anneta and Fotini, who deservedly represented EEN and the Greek documentary.

The Board of Directors of EEN

25/5/2024

DOC CLUB

Μια πρωτοβουλία της Ένωσης Ελληνικού Ντοκιμαντέρ.

Την Τρίτη 28/5/2024 στις 20.00

στην Ταινιοθήκη της Ελλάδος

«The wanted 18», 2014, Καναδάς, Παλαιστίνη, 75’

Σκηνοθεσία: Paul Cowan & Amer Shomali

Η είσοδος είναι ελεύθερη για το κοινό.

Η Ένωση Ελληνικού Ντοκιμαντέρ αισθάνεται βαθιά υποχρέωση να στηρίξει την κινηματογραφική δημιουργία και τους Παλαιστίνιους κινηματογραφιστές που δοκιμάζονται, μαζί με όλο τον λαό της Παλαιστίνης, σε έναν ανελέητο πόλεμο, που τραυματίζει ανεπανόρθωτα τις ανθρώπινες αξίες του σύγχρονου Ευρωπαϊκού πολιτισμού.

Με αυτή τη σκέψη η ΕΕΝ και το DOC CLUB ετοιμάζει ενα μικρό αφιέρωμα με την προβολή της ταινίας ντοκιμαντέρ των Amer Shomali και Paul Cowan, «The wanted 18» και μια συζήτηση με την πολύ σημαντική Παλαιστίνια ποιήτρια και διευθύντρια του Παλαιστινιακού Φεστιβάλ της Αθήνας, Carol Sansour.

Τη βραδιά επιμελούνται εκ μέρους της ΕΕΝ, η Άννα Αντωνοπούλου και ο Γιάννης Μισουρίδης.

Ως δημιουργοί και ακόμα περισσότερο ως ντοκιμαντεριστές, στεκόμαστε αταλάντευτα στο πλευρό των συναδέλφων μας Παλαιστινίων κινηματογραφιστών και όλων των καταπιεζόμενων δημιουργών, που σε συνθήκες πολέμου διεκδικούν το δικαίωμα να εκφράζονται, υπερασπιζόμενοι τον αγώνα του λαού τους και κάθε λαού που παλεύει για την υπόστασή του όταν απειλείται.

Λίγα λόγια για την ταινία:

Στα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 80, κατά την πρώτη Ιντιφάντα, κάτοικοι της Bayt Sahour, μιας μικρής πόλης ανατολικά της Βηθλεέμ, αγόρασαν 18 αγελάδες από ένα κιμπούτς με στόχο να αποκτήσουν ανεξαρτησία από τη μονοπωλιακή τακτική των ισραηλινών. Το μποϊκοτάζ των ισραηλινών προϊόντων από τις παλαιστινιακές κοινότητες και η προσπάθεια τους για διατροφική ανεξαρτησία κατέστησε αυτή τη μικρή φάρμα με τις 18 αγελάδες απειλή για την εθνική ασφάλεια του Ισραήλ. Οι κάτοικοι της Bayt Sahour τις έκρυψαν και «ανάγκασαν» τις Ισραηλινές αρχές να εξαπολύσουν επιδρομές προς αναζήτηση των «επικίνδυνων» αγελάδων. Το ντοκιμαντέρ συνδυάζει τεχνικές κόμικ book, stop motion, animation, puppet – Claymation, αρχειακού υλικού και σκηνοθετημένων αναπαραστάσεων και προσεγγίζει την ιστορία των καταζητούμενων 18 αγελάδων με καυστικό χιούμορ. Η ταινία έχει συμμετάσχει και βραβευτεί σε πολλά φεστιβάλ, ενώ ήταν και η υποψηφιότητα της Παλαιστίνης για Όσκαρ Ξενόγλωσσης Ταινίας.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmSBrMvI2XM&ab_channel=KinoLorber

Λίγα λόγια για την Κάρολ Σανσούρ:

Είναι ποιήτρια και πολιτιστική παραγωγός από την Παλαιστίνη. Είναι ιδρύτρια και διευθύντρια του Φεστιβάλ Παλαιστινιακού Κινηματογράφου Αθήνας και συνδιευθύνει το «Shaeirat Project». Έργα της έχουν μεταφραστεί στα Γαλλικά, Αγγλικά, Ιταλικά, Ισπανικά και Γερμανικά. Η ίδια ζει και δημιουργεί στην Αθήνα.

“Παρόλο που η ταινία «The wanted 18» διαδραματίζεται στα τέλη του ’80 με αρχές του ’90, λειτουργεί σαν φακός μέσα από τον οποίο μπορούμε να κατανοήσουμε το παρόν και δίνει το πλαίσιο μιας ιστορίας που συχνά περιγράφεται σαν πολύπλοκη”

Κάρολ Σανσούρ

23/4/2024

With this announcement, we would like to highlight the immediate response of the film community to yesterday's call for public intervention organized by the Hellenic Film Academy on the subject of the new Agency "GREEK CINEMA AND AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA CENTER - CREATIVE GREECE", as well as the strong unity expressed within from the absolute agreement of all of us with the positions of the speakers of the panel, for the bill that was recently submitted for consultation and in which significant shortcomings are identified that endanger the future of Greek cinematography with the focus on the ambiguity regarding the existence of the selective program such as has been created and has been operating successfully for the last few years through the Greek Cypriot Association.

In the short time remaining until the passage of the bill, we expect the competent ministry to ensure that the necessary clarifications and corrections are made that will ensure the smooth, orderly and discrete operation of the two entities that are integrated into the new scheme, as well as the necessary additions concerning the selective program.

We are optimistic that the ministry will respond positively to our fair requests for the creation of a draft law that will lead to a healthy and rich Greek cinematography.

Boards of Directors: ESPEK, SAPOE, EEN

8/3/2024

DYSTOPIA IS HERE

Imagine the following scenario: The lyric scene decides to finance the production of the documentary "Mary, Marianna, Maria: The Unknown Greek Years of Calla".

The film is shot, edited and premiered at the SNFCC in the Lyric Hall with the Minister of Culture Mrs. Mendoni present. And as everything is ready, a representative of the Organization announces that the screening will not take place as there is a prosecutor's order banning the film for violation of paragraph 1 of article 12 which obliges the creative contributors of the film "to incorporate Greek-language songs or orchestral musical performance of Greek-language songs at least seventy percent (70%) of the total musical investment of the film".

Is it a science fiction scenario? No! Dystopia is here.

And the strikes against documentary production continue:

1. Through the draft law for the single entity, it creates obstacles to its financing by putting stricter financial criteria.

2. The advance of far-right fundamentalism through representatives of the "Niki" party, who are asking the Minister of Culture to impose a ban on the documentary about Alexander the Great because it does not agree with the creators' view of history.

3. The demand through a topical question from a Member of Parliament of the same party to impose censorship by banning the poster of the documentary "Stray Bodies".

And now article 12. Unconstitutional, anti-European, authoritarian, anti-artistic. The why has already been expressed by important actors of the film community.

We have one thing to declare: The musical style of a film is determined by the aesthetic of the creator and by the needs of dramaturgy and not by legal restrictions imposed by guilds that have made introversion and nationalism their banner. Article 12 completely ignores the particular reality of producing creative documentaries, which is largely based on finding financial sources from abroad with the prerequisite of a letter of participation from a Greek public body (ERT, EKK, EKOME).

We find it almost impossible for foreign co-producers to agree to such a requirement set by Article 12.

In practice, the Greek documentary is abolished, the cultural product par excellence that, serving the idea of extroversion, is a means of spreading Greek culture worldwide and connects Greek culture with the cultures of other countries and peoples.

We ask the Minister of Culture Mrs. Mendonis to withdraw the controversial article 12.

Thursday, March 14 | 11.00 - 13.30

"Documentary and Artificial Intelligence: A Relationship Under Investigation"

On the occasion of the stormy developments in relation to the applications of Artificial Intelligence in the field of the moving image, the Greek Documentary Association, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, is organizing a debate on "Documentaries and Artificial Intelligence: A relationship under investigation".

Speakers:

Manolis Andriotakis - journalist, writer
Georgia Koutrika - research director at the "Athina" research center
Nicole Alexandropoulou - director
Victoria Vellopoulou - director

Coordinator: Angelos Kovotsos - director

Also there to join the conversation for added interventions will be:

Apostolos Karakasis, director, President of Thessaloniki University's Film Department.

Argyris Theos, cinematographer, representative of the Organization for Collective Management of Copyright ISOCRATES.

John Cassavetes Hall

16/10/2023

DOCUMENTARY LABORATORY "From Concept to Trailer and Teaser: Strategic Planning for Audience Engagement" FOR NEW DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 8th EYES OPEN 2023 October 21-22 & 28-29 at Stavrakos School Participation in the workshop is free. Information: Metamatiaanoixta2023@gmail.com Registration here: https://forms.gle/HfLhr7m8R1PFJCpr7 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 19/10/2023 As part of this year's 8th EYES OPEN event, the Hellenic Documentary Association will implement a four-day workshop aimed at new documentary directors and producers, whose proposal is in an intermediate stage of processing: They have prepared a 2 page summary An early script design (treatment) with description of possible scenes, characters and development of the theme. The Workshop will be taught by experienced professionals from the field of creative documentary with the aim of participants to create a strong production portfolio. SPEAKERS Special guest Tue Steen Müller (the relationship of personal vision with the rules imposed by the market). Tue Steen Müller teaches documentary in more than 40 countries. Since its inception in 1996, he has been a director of EDN. He teaches at the Baltic Sea Forum, the Zelig Documentary Film School in Italy and is a consultant to film festivals such as Magnificent7 and Docs Barcelona. Chronis Theocharis editor / director (creation of trailer - teaser) Christos Karakepelis director / teacher at the Stavrakos School (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach) Antonis Tolakis director / producer / director of studies at the Stavrakou school (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach Dimitra Kouzi producer director (audience approach strategy) Maria Leonida, director – Georgia Tsismetzoglou, editor (creation of trailer - teaser) The responsibility for the planning and organization of the Workshop has been taken by EEN, Angelos Kovotsos - director, who has also taken over the coordination, Dionysia Kopanas - director and Maria Leonida - director in charge of the "Karpos" educational organization. From the applications - proposals that will be submitted, the 15 best will be selected in principle. The selection of participants will be based on the application, CV and sample film/television/audio-visual work. Accepted as a sample and graduation films. Workshop Program The participants will form separate groups and attend the seminars offered over 2 weekends October 21-22 and 28-29 at the Stavrakos School. Finally, the participants will present their completed projects to a Pitching panel with the aim of one of them being selected as a reward for participation in the Agora Pitching Forum of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March 2024. Participation and hosting costs will be covered by the Festival.

15/10/2023

PRESS RELEASE

MASTERCLASS FROM TUE STEEN MÜLLER, 22/10

The great Danish documentary critic, comes to Athens as an official guest of the Greek Documentary Union for a MASTERCLASS,

on Sunday 22/10, time 12.00-14.00 at the Film Library of Greece.

The masterclass will be held in English without translation.

Subject:

Why do we love documentaries?

Documentaries are everywhere today at festivals, on TV, on on demand platforms. Why; Because we, the viewers, love them, they arouse our curiosity, they move us, they trouble us and they touch us. They talk to us about our world, in serious ways, but also with humor. A talk by documentary expert, Tue Steen Muller, accompanied by excerpts from notable documentaries of recent years that he chooses to inspire us!

Short Biography

Dane, born in 1947, Tue Steen Müller, worked for more than 20 years at the Danish Film Board. Co-founder of the Balticum Fim and TV Festival, Filmkontakt Nord and Documentary of EU, he has taught documentary courses and participated in documentary seminars in more than 30 countries. In 2004 he won the Danish Roos Prize for his contribution to Danish and European documentary. In 2014 he won the EDN Award for his "outstanding contribution to European documentary culture". From its inception in 1996 until 2005, there was a director of the EDN (European Documentary Network). Since 2006 he taught in documentary workshops, such as Ex Oriente, DocsBarcelona, Archidoc, Documentary Campus, StoryDoc, Baltic Sea Forum, Black Sea DocStories and was a program advisor at film festivals such as Magnificent7, DocsBarcelona, Message2Man in Ag. Petersburg and DOK Leipzig. In 2007-2013 he taught at the Zelig Documentary Film School in Bolzano, Italy. He has written many articles and reviews in Danish and international magazines and newspapers. He writes (almost daily) articles in English about documentaries on the website www.filmkommentaren.dk.

12/10/2023

PRESS RELEASE

WITH EYES OPEN

8TH TRIBUTE TO THE GREEK DOCUMENTARY OCTOBER 12-15

IN THE FILM LIBRARY OF GREECE

For the 8th year in a row, the Greek Documentary Union organizes a Tribute to Greek Documentary, honoring young and old creators whose films deserve to be shown to the wider public.

For this year, 20 feature and short films will be screened at the Film Gallery of Greece, from October 12-15, with 4 screenings per day and a single ticket of 5 euros.

EEN loves and honors the Greek documentary and its creators and does not forget that:

REALITY WRITES THE BEST SCRIPTS

Particularly:

A TRIBUTE TO LAKIS PAPASTATHIS

Two MASTERCLASSES by the great Danish expert Tue Steen Müller

7th WORKSHOP for young directors and producers on "From the initial concept to the Trailer and Teaser. The strategic planning for attracting the public".

Special honorary screening of the award-winning film from North Macedonia HONEYLAND and Masterclass from the film's co-director Ljubomir Stefanov

Q&A with the actors of the films after each screening.

The TV spot of the Festival:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khTrCstpAh4

The R-spot of the Festival:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_FtN3Iu0hw

HONORARY TRIBUTE TO LAKIS PAPASTATHIS

Thursday 12/10 from 20:15 – 22:00

Lakis Papastathi's contribution to the development of the language of the Greek documentary, but also to Cinetik as a place for the creation and promotion of important new documentarians, will be discussed by Paraskini's director partners, Ilias Giannakakis, Katerina Evangelakou and Eva Stefani. It is coordinated by Angelos Kovotsos, also a partner of Paraskini.

Official guests: Yvonne Maltazou and Argyris Papastathis.

They will be shown:

· "A film by Lakis Papastathi about Aliki Vougiouklakis" (23') 1976. One of the first "Behind the Scenes" shows in 1976. A subversive show for public television.

· The first film of Lakis Papastathis "Letters from America" 1972 (19').

· Excerpts from the ERT show "Documentary over time - Letters from America" with Laki Papastathi himself talking about "Letters from America".

7th WORKSHOP on:

“From the initial concept to the Trailer and Teaser.

The strategic planning for attracting the public".

October 21-22 and 28-29, Stavrakos School

As part of this year's 8th EYES OPEN event, the Hellenic Documentary Association will implement a four-day Workshop aimed at new documentary directors and producers, whose proposal is in an intermediate stage of processing. As an official guest of EEN and special speaker, the well-known expert Tue Steen Müller, will be in Athens and will deliver to the participants of the Workshop on Saturday 21/10 a Masterclass on the topic: "The relationship between personal vision and the rules imposed by the market"

Workshop Instructors:

Chronis Theocharis editor / director (creation of trailer - teaser)
Christos Karakepelis director / teacher at the Stavrakos School (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach)

Antonis Tolakis director / producer / director of studies at the Stavrakou school (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach)

Dimitra Kouzi producer director (audience approach strategy)
Maria Leonida, director – Georgia Tsismetzoglou, editor (creation of trailer - teaser).

Angelos Kovotsos is the coordinator.

SUNDAY 22/10 12.00- 14.00, FILM ARCHIVE OF GREECE

***Tue Steen Müller, will deliver an additional masterclass for all interested documentary filmmakers on:

Why do we love documentaries? Documentaries are everywhere today at festivals, on TV, on on demand platforms. Why; Because we, the viewers, love them, they arouse our curiosity, they move us, they trouble us and they touch us. They talk to us about our world, in serious ways, but also with humor.

A talk by the documentary expert, Tue Steen Muller, accompanied by excerpts from notable documentaries of recent years to inspire us!

With the cooperation of the Film Archive of Greece and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

Greek Film Library, 48 Iera Odos and Megalo Alexandrou Street, KERAMEIKOS Metro Station.

CLICK TO SEE OUR PROGRAM

4/7/2023

It is our pleasure to announce that the two-day seminar "Introduction to editing using DaVinci Resolve", at the Lykourgos Stavrakos Film and Television School, has just concluded with great success and attendance of interested parties.

The presenter was Mr. Alexandros Spathis, a member of the Workshop and Blackmagic Certified Trainer for DaVinci Resolve, who offered it as a gift to all members of the Hellenic Documentary Union.

The seminar was implemented in the framework of the action "e-Aegean Production Center : Center for the production and processing of audiovisual material" of the project "Interregional Digital Transformation of the Aegean Archipelago in Culture and Tourism" - MIS 5047046, which is part of the action supporting the Regional Excellence of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation" of the NSRF 2014-202 0 and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national resources.

The following photo from our vice president Mr. Meletis Moira as a souvenir for those who could not be there.

See you in the fall for more activities!

1/7/2023

MEETINGS UPDATE & OF UN ACTIONS ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC 2023

Dear friends / Dear friends,

Sunny Side of the Doc 2023, the international Documentary Market in La Rochelle, France June 19-22, 2023, has come to an end. The Greek Documentary Association, with the support of the Hellenic Film Center and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, once again had a strong presence among 2000 participants. The mission team at Sunny Side consists of Anneta Papathanasiou (President of EEN) and Fotini Economopoulou (Producer – member of EEN) with the active participation and support of EEN secretary Xenophon Angelopoulos, EEN Treasurer Andreas Siadimas. This year we had the pleasure of having with us and participating in Sunny Side of the Doc, Maria Karagiannakis, Mina Drekis, and Natassa Segou, with documentaries in development that participated in Docs in progress of the 25th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

The main purpose of EEN was to promote Greek Documentaries to channels and distributors. The film list of 24 documentaries, ready and in development, was sent to all participants (decision makers) personal emails were also sent to over 300 people seeking appointments at our stand.

We are very satisfied with the attendance of Sunny Side of the Doc participants at our stand, making the presence of EEN strong as an institution and giving a step to the presentation of the Greek Documentary on the International Market.

Through our experience we realized that from the TV channels there was more interest in the films that were in the development stage while many distributors (sales agents) asked more for the completed films. In general, the thematic categories: Environment, Nature (Wild life), Archaeology, Culture, Science, History, and less Social issues of a local nature were of greater interest this year.

We contacted and made an appointment with the following TV channels: ARTE (France), Al Jazeera Documentary Chanel (Qatar), CCTV (China), Shaanxi Media Convergence (China) RAI (Italy), Avrotros (Netherlands), ZDF (Germany) , SWR (Germany), SBS (Australia), RTS (Switzerland), PBS (USA).

We also came in contact with online channels - platforms : L'Harmattan video (France), W4tch tv (France), SPIEGEL TV (Germany), Espresso Media (UK).

We contacted and made an appointment with the following Sales Agents & Distributors:

Windrose (France), Cat & Docs (France), Visiblefilm (France), Poorhouse International (UK), MONICA CARPI TV DISTRIBUTION (Italy), ADR Distribution (Italy), Filmdelights (Austria), Taskovski Films (UK), TVF International (UK), HG Distribution (Canada).

Most distributors we have contacted are suggesting that there be 2 versions of the film, a festival feature and a 52' TV version.

Other meetings and information we want to share with you:

· CHINA

CCTV – China Public Channel. They informed us that they are open to co-production with films from Greece with issues related to China. They are also open to programs - movies related to nature (Wild life) as according to statistics the most views are recorded in programs of this kind. Contact: Ms. ZHANG GIUOFENG , E: 22321123@qq.com

CICC – China Independent Producer. He is interested in co-production in projects whose content is related to China or Wild Life (if he likes the proposal he can find 20-50% financing from China). Contact: Mr. GUO YEQI, E: g.matt0831@gmail.com

· IMZ - International music + Media center (Austria)

It is an international organization active in the promotion of the performing arts through audio-visual media, mainly music and dance. They organize pitching sessions at the Berlinale mainly about music.

You can go to their website for more information:https://www.imz.at/

Contact: Katharina Jeschke (Secretary General), E: k.jeschke@imz.at

· WORLD CONGRESS OF SCIENCE & FACTUAL PRODUCERS www.wcsfp.com

Science themed conference. Producers who have a similar theme can participate. The 2023 conference takes place in Seattle USA, 11/28 to 12/1.

Contact: PAUL LEWIS, Conference Director, E: plewis@wcsfp.com,

· AST – Association of Science and Television (France)http://science-television.com It is an organization that has over 150 independent producers and 50 production companies active in the production of programs related to Technology and Science. In case someone has a project with this theme and is looking for a co-producer from France, he can contact them.

Contact: Nathalie Karp,

· PBS / POV has been urged by Chris White (Executive Producer) for finished films to be submitted to their platform by August 22, 2023;https://filmfreeway.com/POVCallforEntries

· EURODOC https://eurodoc-net.com/en

International workshop for producers who have creative documentaries Contact: MARIE PURCELOT, EURO DOC, E: mpourcelot@eurodoc-net.com,

OYZO Party We again had a great turnout and success. This Greek event has now been established at our stand with ouzo and Greek products

We want you to know that we made the most of our time at Sunny Side of the Doc for the benefit and promotion of the Greek Documentary and it is really worth the effort and the effort.

Yours sincerely,

The EEN delegation at Sunny Side of the Doc / La Rochelle 2023

Anneta Papathanasiou

Fotini Economopoulou

6/15/2023

See below the list of all the Greek documentaries we are representing at Sunny Side of the Doc 2023 in La Rochelle and download it in pdf format by clicking on the adjacent thumbnail:

7/3/2023

MASTERCLASS AT THE THESSALONIKI FESTIVAL

"How to get documentaries more visibility"

As part of the 25th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (March 2-12, 2023), on Tuesday, March 7, the Greek Documentary Association is organizing a Masterclass on:

"How to get documentaries more visibility"

The speaker is German Paul Rieth, designer of strategies for attracting the public.

The Masterclass will take place on Tuesday, March 7 at 10:00 am in the John Cassavetes Hall.

"Films are made for the public to see":

If we take the above premise as a given, we notice that documentaries find it difficult to find their rightful place in the distribution circuit.

Looking at the ways in which documentaries try to attract audiences both in theaters and in VOD distribution, it is evident that the limited budget in the areas of marketing is one of the biggest challenges.

In the masterclass, audience strategist, marketing and crowdfunding consultant and producer Paul Rieth will give useful tips on targeting and attracting audiences from the early stages of the process.

Armed with original ideas, research, and personal vision, industry professionals will learn how to optimize the outcome of their efforts by leveraging all available media, each time adapting their approach to the story they want to tell and the audience they want to reach. wish to attract.

Brief Biography of Paul Rieth:

Paul Rieth is a producer, audience strategist, marketing and crowdfunding consultant based in Berlin.

He frequently gives lectures and presentations at universities, colleges and film festivals.

He is a professor and consultant in the field of audience planning for the Feature Lab of the Torino Film Lab. GET YOUR CROWD agency offers consulting or workshops for companies, organizations and individuals in strategy planning in terms of audience attraction, crowdfunding and digital marketing.

In addition to strategic planning and campaigns, his company produces various forms of audiovisual material for its clients. From 2021 he is an executive at the Film University Babelsberg in the field of Audience Planning, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

For more information:www.paulrieth.de

NOTE: The Masterclass will be given in English, without Greek translation.

26/1/2023

Open Letter sent to the Deputy Minister of Modern Culture on the subject of the pending Law on the integration of EKK/EKOME/OPI

Dear Mr. Deputy Minister,

We address you believing that we express the anxiety of the entire film community, regarding the issue of the sudden decision, to proceed with the consolidation of three Organizations (EKK, EKOME, OPI) with different legal character and different statutory purposes.

As the Greek Documentary Association, we have decided to publicly declare our opposition to such a hasty decision to change the legislation that aims to unify three bodies, two of which (EKK and EKOME), finance the submitted film productions with different criteria.

We are concerned, because with the way this merger is being carried out, we will essentially be forced to accept fait accompli, without having been sufficiently informed and without having participated in a wider discussion, which will actually concern the future of Greek cinema and documentary in particular .

We are concerned because the documentary as a genre needs special care, because of its global, not only artistic value, but also because of its international spread as a genre that offers knowledge and experiences to an audience that is expanding year by year.

The Greek Documentary Association represents perhaps the most financially "sensitive" group of the film community. Nevertheless, our offer was, is and will be invaluable, as EEN consists of colleagues with international experience in the documentary production process. As the Greek Documentary Union we have elaborated proposals and thoughts that we would like to share with you.

Mr Deputy Minister,

for all these reasons, our Union decided:

To request the suspension of the processing and promotion of the Bill, at least until the elections, so that we do not proceed with hasty solutions that will endanger the viability of the Greek Documentary and in general of film producers; Greek and foreign .
To immediately request an informational meeting with you, so that we can be informed in detail about the intentions and goals of the Bill being processed.
To publicize her positions and the letter to the other film unions and to the press.

Yours sincerely
The Board of Directors of EEN

President: Anneta Papathanasiou
Vice President: Meletis Moiras
Secretary: Ilia Papaspyrou
Treasurer: Andreas Siadimas
Member: Dionysia Kopanas
Member: Maria Leonidas
Member: Yiannis Misouridis

The 7th EEN Tribute to Greek Documentaries was successfully completed
A little account

With Eyes Open 2022 already in the past, but at the same time a strong legacy for the future of an institution that already counts 7 years of presence in the field of promoting Greek documentary, EEN continues its effort to highlight and promote Greek documentary filmmakers and their films.

As part of this year's 7ou Tribute, more than 20 short and feature-length films were screened at the Film Gallery of Greece from October 13-16
After the screenings of the films, interesting discussions followed with the presence of the directors and an audience, which responded and actively participated in these discussions.

This year's Tribute to the Ukrainian director, guest of EEN, Alisa Kovalenko, was a great success. After the screening of her film Home Games, she delivered a masterclass to a packed room on the dilemmas of the creator in wartime.

In the Honorary Tribute to the recently deceased Robiros Manthoulis, 2 of his important films were screened, which mark the way in which this great director approached the subject and characters of his films.

In the framework of the "With Eyes Open" Tribute, the 5th Documentary Workshop was also organized with the theme "Workshop to Strengthen the Production File", in collaboration with the "Lykourgos Stavrakos" Film and Television School and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, with experienced directors and producers as presenters of the documentary space in Greece.

There were more than 40 submissions with proposals for films to be developed and all of them were of great interest. There were also numerous requests to attend the Workshop.

This fact made clear the huge interest that exists among young people, for training on the subject and the field of creative documentary.

One of the proposals entitled "Nova Opera - The Art of War" by Vera Iona Papadopoulou was chosen by the presenters to be awarded with an honorable mention and to participate in the Agora Pitching Forum of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March 2023.

The Greek Documentary Union feels proud because with this organization it managed to attract an audience that is interested in and supports Greek documentary.

The Tribute and the Workshop were held with the funding and support of the Ministry of Culture and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival

Greek Documentary Association

(photo: Yiannis Misouridis)

11/10/2022

PRESS RELEASE

WITH EYES OPEN

7th TRIBUTE TO GREEK DOCUMENTARY FILM, FROM OCTOBER 13-16 AT THE FILM LIBRARY OF GREECE

THIS YEAR TWO IMPORTANT TRIBUTES A MASTERCLAS & A DAY OF MUSICAL DOCUMENTARIES

· Ukrainian filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko will be our guest of honor with her filmHome Games, followed by a masterclass on the role of the documentary filmmaker in wartime

· Tribute to Roviros Manthoulis

· A day of music documentaries

· Official festival trailer: https://youtu.be/HLrZf32bKAE

Official guest of GDA and of this year's WITH EYES OPEN Tribute is the 34-year-old Ukrainian director Alisa Kovalenko.

Saturday 15/10 will be dedicated to Ukrainian filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko with the screening of her award-winning film Home Games.
Alisa, after the end of the screening, will give a masterclass on the subject of the conditions and difficulties encountered in making films in wartime conditions. Events she personally experienced participating in 2014 as a filmmaker when she was captured by the Russians and sexually abused. In the current circumstances she gave up the camera and took up a gun to fight.

A few words about Alisa and her film Home Games.

Alisa Kovalenko (1987) is a Ukrainian director, living in Kyiv. Her first feature documentary Alisa in Warland, about the war in Eastern Ukraine, premiered at IDFA Amsterdam in 2015. Alisa's second documentary Home Games had its world premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest and was selected in 65 festival (8 awards). It was also the official IDFA entry 2018 and was awarded the Best European Documentary Award at the Odessa Film Festival in July 2018. Home Games was nominated as the best Ukrainian documentary in 2019 at the Ukrainian Film Academy.In 2019, Alisa became a member of the European Film Academy (EFA).

Home Games is a 'disintegrated' fairy tale depicting a critical moment in the life of Alina, a 20-year-old girl, a 'million dollar baby' from Kyiv, whose passion for soccer gives her a chance to escape from poverty.

The trailer of the movie https://youtu.be/tKCID-GxBh8

HONORARY TRIBUTE TO ROVIRO MANTHOULI

Friday 14/10 from 19:30 – 22:00

As part of the tribute, the films of Cinema of the Real and The Wrecks of History will be shown. Then Roviros will 'talk' about Roviros with the help of Nikos Theodosios and Kostas Machairas through excerpts from the Behind the Scenes' Roviros Manthoulis: The man with the cinematograph by Kostas Macheiras.

The tribute is also connected to the Workshop for young professionals, organized this year by GDA as part of the WITH EYES OPEN Tribute.

Nikos Theodosiou and Stavros Psyllakis will analyze the way in which Roviros Manthoulis approached the subject, the characters and the narrative in his work.

Greece, the shipwrecks of History (1977, 49'). The documentary, filmed for French and Swiss television, searches for the identity of the Greek, after the contractions that Greece suffered from the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the internal migration from various poor areas to the outskirts of the big cities. A typical example is Maniatika, the neighborhood of Piraeus that arose from the internal migration of residents of Mani, where most of the film was shot. It contains testimonies from Pontic and Turkomeric songs, from maniacal obituaries as well as a lyrical commentary by Dionysis Savvopoulos, as he himself is from a refugee family in Asia Minor.

Cinema of the real (LE CINEMA DU REEL 1981,48 min)

A documentary film about creative documentary and its history:

Flaherty, Vertov's 'cinema-eye', the British school of the 1930s, cinema-verité in France in the 1950s. Interviews with: Jean Roux, Edgar Morin, Henri Stork, Joris Ivens, Nagisa Oshima, etc. a. For the series Cinematic Eyes by Anne Andrieux.

A DAY FULL OF MUSIC

Thursday 13/9 from 18:00 – 22:00

Three musical documentaries take us on a journey from the Jazz of Larissa, to the Askavlos of the Aegean Sea and to 'reality (which) does not exist' by Aera Patera.

18:00 – 20:00

What Happened in Larissa (A story about Nat Birchall) / 72΄/ Dimitris Papadopoulos, Ioannis Kolaxizis

Nat Birchall is one of the most important representatives of the British Manchester jazz scene. Kostas Voultsidis is the originator of Duende Jazz Bar in Larissa, in 2009. The documentary follows their journey and focuses on the creation of the legendary album Nat Birchall Quintet: Live In Larissa, which was universally accepted by audiences and critics in 2014, year when many music lovers wondered: 'Where is Larissa? What happened in Larissa?'

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwOsyGexO8

20:00 – 22:00 The Voyage of Askavlos / 87΄/ Giorgos Arvanitis

A journey to the Aegean sea, during which the askalos, the ancient Greek bagpipe, is revived in the hands of musicians who keep an ancient tradition alive. The instrument is slowly but surely finding its way to the city, where modern musicians are bringing it to the modern music scene. The viewer witnesses this revival and, together with the protagonists, discovers something that has almost been lost: the customs and ethos of the people of another era, and an oral tradition that was once a way of life, preserved over the centuries.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoNR1P66LYI

22:00 – 00:00 Aeralandi / 94΄ / Haris Raftogiannis

'Reality does not exist': This is the motto of the chaotic and open music band Aera Patera. When some members, tired of the constant chaos, demand some form of organization, Jimis – the unofficial leader of the group – will have to compromise or face that 'reality doesn't exist' once again.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=554KN-tIE04

DETAILED PROGRAM OF THE FESTIVAL

At the end of each film there will be a Q & A with the directors

Thursday, October 13

16:00 – 18:00 A Beautiful Day / 97΄/ Danis Karaïsaridis, George Paterakis

The portrait of two self-organized preschool educational ventures, which use a combination of non-conventional educational methods. The Little Tree in Thessaloniki operates based on the values of libertarian education and experiential learning, while at the Little Dunias Forest School in Lesvos, local and refugee children play and learn together in nature every day.

Trailer:https://vimeo.com/457744840

18:00 – 20:00 Zambeta / 13΄/ Elisavet & Sofia Sfyri

Zambeta follows our grandmother one day in her life, as she watches TV, talks on the phone, visits her neighborhood KAPI. At the same time, she tells us how she was forced by her first husband to move to Canada and how she managed to return and get a divorce in Greece in the 1960s.

Trailer:https://vimeo.com/559122086

What Happened to Larissa (A Story About Nat Birchall) / 72΄/ Dimitris Papadolpoulos, Ioannis Kolaxizis

20:00 – 22:00 The Voyage of Askalos / 87΄/ Giorgos Arvanitis

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoNR1P66LYI

22:00 – 00:00 Aeralandi / 94΄ / Haris Raftogiannis

'Reality does not exist': This is the motto of the chaotic and open music band Aera Patera. When some members, tired of the constant chaos, demand some form of organization, Jimis – the unofficial leader of the group – will have to compromise or face that 'Reality Doesn't Exist' once again.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=554KN-tIE04

Friday, October 14

16:00 – 17:40 The Music of Things / 90΄/ Menios Karagiannis

Three people totally focused and dedicated to what they do. A musician, a carpenter and a photographer invite us into their personal world and reveal to us the most sensitive aspects of their work. Without words, images and sounds take on another meaning, while music is born alive, in encounters with things. The film takes us on a journey without a destination, to the details where the universe is hidden.

Trailer:https://vimeo.com/391577242

17:45 – 18:00 Greetings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GFC, Thessaloniki Festival, Filmmakers for Ukraine/Crew United.

18:00 – 19:30 Debt / 77΄/ Stavros Psyllakis

'Every person we meet in our life is a journey and many times we feel from the beginning whether we will travel with them first class or without luggage and with empty pockets.'

Alekos Zoukas is a very lovable, fun-loving and at the same time deeply thoughtful person who is hard to forget if you meet him. In the film, Alekos' trips, with his friends and the director, to Pirsogianni are alternated with his confessions from his experience with cancer and he is treated as a literary 'hero'. It is not a biography of Alek.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfc8QZqiUkQ&t=2s

19:30 – 22:00 Tribute to Roviros Manthoulis

The Castaways of History / 52΄/ Roviros Manthoulis

Cinema of the real (LE CINEMA DU REEL 1981, 48 min)

A documentary film about creative documentary and its history:

Flaherty, Vertov's 'cinema-eye', the British school of the 1930s, cinema verité in France in the 1950s. Interviews with: Jean Roux, Edgar Moren, Henri Stork, Joris Ivens, Nagisa Oshima et al. For Anne Andrieux's 'Cinematic Glimpses' series.

Background, excerpt from the show about Robiros Manthoulis / 13΄/ Kostas Machiras

22:00 – 00:00 Dimitra K / 73΄/ Eva Stefani

Dimitra is a sex worker and for many years the president of the Greek Sex Workers union. She loves her job and was the owner of one of the oldest houses in Athens. The film outlines the portrait of Dimitra over the course of twelve years. At the same time, the camera records aspects of the changing city, marked by the effects of the financial crisis. Knowing Dimitra we come face to face with our stereotypes about sex, female desire, individual freedom, but also the way trials change us at critical historical moments.
Trailer:https://vimeo.com/563347547

Saturday, October 15

16:00 – 18:00 Vidisova / 10΄/ George Panagopoulos

Mr. Tasos rebuilt the house of his childhood memories with his own hands, in a small village that was massively destroyed by its own inhabitants in the late 60s, in order to subsidize themselves as earthquake victims and build a new village. A documentary about memory, the passage of time and collective trauma.

Broken Boats / 19΄/ Dimitris Tamvakakis

The European Union in order to reduce overfishing began to subsidize the destruction of traditional boats. In the crisis, over 12,500 traditional caiques were destroyed, and the ancient art of shipwrights is slowly disappearing. Broken Boats records this event from the perspective of the people affected.

Thalia with Iota / 33΄/ Thodoris Ioannidis

The diplomatic film 'Thalia me yota' presents moments from the life of Takis Moschopoulidis. Takis immerses us in his world which consists of alcohol and wooden constructions corresponding to those of modeling craftsmen. Full of glue sticks in his hands and with unrolled cigarettes, he shows absolute devotion to his artistic creations and tells stories from his life. His stories are dominated by the phrase 'Sex, drugs and rock'n'rol' in the context of the Greek countryside of the 90s, a phrase that he is now paying dearly for.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKwoI2SwpA

18:00 - 19:30 Return to Earth / 60΄/ Chrysa Tzelepi, Akis Kersanidis

Hector Mavridis is a ceramist. Devoted in recent years to the ongoing project of svoloi, he investigates the imprint of the primordial form in the public space. The clods he collects from the plowed field are the raw material. Their form, the smell of the wet soil awakens memories for him. He observes them, touches them. He wants to transform them. He works with fire, water, time. The body carries the energy, the soul the deep blue color. Now the lumps are weightless, floating above the ears, along with a piece of the memories and identity of their creator, Hector.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4gVHIunbvQ

19:30 – 22:00 Home Games / 86΄/ Alisa Kovalenko

The trailer of the movie https://youtu.be/tKCID-GxBh8

***Masterclass by Alisa Kovalenko, on the subject of the conditions and difficulties she encounters making films in wartime conditions.

22:00 – 00:00 Through the Window / 83΄/ Christos Barbas

In May 2020, during the country's first two-month lockdown, in a nursing home in Agios Stefanos, north of Athens, staff and guests experienced an additional confinement, after sealing the unit for precautionary reasons. The documentary records this act, which at the time was unique at the national, European, and perhaps global level.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6JNF3k1HA

Sunday, October 16

16:00 – 18:30 Films from previous years workshops.

In Omonoia /10΄/ Olga Bakopoulou

Dreams on Wheels / 33΄/ Sofia Liulia

Rooms with a view / 22΄/ Nicoleta Parashi, Nikos Papadimitriou

What the Rain Washed Away / 14΄/ Ioanna Tsilili
The talking walls / 21' / Vassiliki Mylonas

The Notes behind the Rule / 15΄/ Lazaros Asmis

It's not about bikes / 8΄/ Vasilis Lolis

D΄ Lyceum / 14΄/ Emilia Vakoufari

Dresscode / 10΄/ Susan Chrysovitsinou

18:30 – 19:30 Fossils / 51΄/ Panos Arvanitakis

The activities of PPC in the area of Eordaia are transforming a place that looks unfamiliar. A perpetual process that never stops. Humans and machines set the stage for an ominous Future. Toil and the hope of escape humanize this place.

Trailer:https://vimeo.com/300277240

19:30 – 22:00 Golden Dawn – Public Affair / 117΄/ Angelique Kourounis

Five years after the release of the much-discussed and award-winning film Golden Dawn, A Personal Affair, Angelique Kourounis is back with her new film. The documentary Golden Dawn, Public Affair. Which resistance?, is the continuation and completion of the multi-year investigation on the Golden Dawn and runs through the five and a half years of the historical trial against this Nazi formation. At the same time, the documentary discovers the inner workings of Golden Dawn through the readings of the trial and focuses on Magda Fyssa, who forced Greek society to stop turning a blind eye to the rise of Golden Dawn.

Trailer:https://vimeo.com/559034571

22:00 – 00:00 The Flowers Are Missing / 16' / Ilma Tyrpetari, Alexandros Kantoros

In a small village called Drist there are few residents left, due to emigration. Among them is an old woman, who lives her own daily life away from those she loves. While the village and the people seem abandoned, nature flourishes seamlessly, enriching their lives.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvpk-JIno0E

Where the Dead Once Lived / 71΄/ Marios Kleftakis, Isabella Alopoudis

Cairo, Egypt: a megacity of 25 million tries to find its rhythm again. About a decade ago, the Arab Spring shook the country's political scene. The overthrow of the regime brought substantial changes to the already troubled everyday life. Adjacent to the center of the chaotic city is a vast necropolis. Half a million homeless find shelter inside the graves. They try to survive in the quietest neighborhood of the city, also known as Arafah, the city of the dead.

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJw_fUYg6sg

Buy Tickets & Schedule Schedule:http://www.tainiothiki.gr/el/aithouses/programma

20/9/2022

DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION FILE REINFORCEMENT WORKSHOP FOR NEW DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 7TH OPEN EYES GREEK DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL 2022

October 8-9 and 15-16 at Stavrakou School

Registration here: https://forms.gle/NZVQBXTRAMx877ep6
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 2/10/2022

As part of this year's 7th EYES OPEN event, the Greek Documentary Association will implement a four-day workshop aimed at new documentary filmmakers and producers, whose proposal is in an intermediate stage of processing:

• They have prepared a 2-page summary

• And an early script design (treatment) with description of possible scenes, characters and theme development

The Workshop will be taught by experienced professionals from the creative documentary field with the aim of participants creating a strong production portfolio.

TUTORS

Antonis Tolakis director / producer / director of studies at the Stavrakou school (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach)

Christos Karakepelis director / teacher at the Stavrakos School (treatment / synopsis / directorial approach)

Fotini Economopoulou producer (Budget, Financial plan)

Jan Rofekamp – Films Transit international (Distribution) The presentation will be in English.

Giorgos Angelopoulos – Director of Production and Development at YKK (KYKK Financial Programs)

Stavros Psyllakis director (screenplay analysis of works by Robiros Manthoulis)

Nikos Theodosiou director partner of Robiros Manthoulis (screenplay analysis in works by Robiros Manthoulis)

The responsibility for the planning and organization of the Workshop has been taken on the part of EEN by Angelos Kovotsos director, Dionysia Kopanas director and Maria Leonida director in charge of Karpos educational organization. Coordination will be undertaken by Angelos Kovotsos.

From the applications - proposals that will be submitted, the 14 best ones will be selected in principle. The selection of participants will be based on the application, CV and sample film/television/audio-visual work. Accepted as sample and graduate films.

Workshop Program

The participants will form two groups and attend the seminars offered over 2 weekends, October 8-9 and 15-16 at the Stavrakos School.

Each of the four workshop days will be divided into two sessions: the morning 4 hours (10.00-14.00) will be dedicated to the construction of the narrative, the development of the characters and the visual expression of the selected designs.

The afternoon two-hour sessions (15.00-17.00) will feature specialist presentations focusing on production direction, production, distribution, pitching the production portfolio and script analysis.

Finally, the participants will present their completed projects in a Pitching panel with the aim of one of them being selected as a reward for participation in the Agora Pitching Forum of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March 2023.
The costs participation and hospitality will be covered by the Festival.

7/9/2022

PRESS RELEASE

With eyes open

7th Tribute to the Greek Documentary

by the GREEK DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

in the Film Library of Greece

We renew our appointment for the 7th year

From 13-16 October 2022, every day from 16.00 – 12.00

Four days of movies full of real life images!

Tribute to Ukrainian filmmaker ALISA KOVALENKO

Special tribute to Roviros Manthoulis

5th Documentary Workshop for young professionals

At the end of each screening there will be a 10-minute discussion with the creators and the audience

NEXT PRESS RELEASE WITH PROJECTOR SCHEDULE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

With eyes open

Because reality writes the best scenarios

The Greek Documentary Association, the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and the Film Library of Greece are co-organizing the 7th Tribute to the Greek documentary With eyes open.

From the 13th to the 16th of October, the heart of the Greek documentary will beat at the Film Library of Greece, giving us the opportunity to watch some of the most important films of the past year and not only to talk to their creators.

This year's program consists of short and feature-length documentaries, which will be screened with the presence and participation of the contributors with a 10-minute Q & A after the end of each screening.

On Saturday 14/10, it is dedicated to the Ukrainian filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko with the screening of her award-winning film, Home Games.

Alisa, an official guest of the Greek Documentary Union, after the end of the screening, will give a master class on the conditions and difficulties encountered when making films in war conditions.

Ticket price: 5 euros / day

FILM LIBRARY OF GREECE,

Iera Odos 48 and Megalou Alexandrou 134-136, Metro Kerameikos

Documentary Workshop "Creating a Production Folder"

In the framework of the ME TA MATIA ANOICHTA 2020 Tribute with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and in collaboration with the Lykourgos Stavrakos Film and Television School and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, will organize the 5th Documentary Workshop on the theme ''Creating a production file'' on facilities of the Stavrakos School.

*** A special announcement/invitation will follow

Join : Free

Workshop days: 8-9 /10 and 15-16/10

Workshop hours: 10.00 am – 14:00 and 15.00 – 17.00 pm

Film and Television School Lykourgos Stavrakos

65 Patision, Athens 10433, Metro Pl. Victoria

23/4/2022

Announcement of the Greek Documentary Association about the death of Roviros Manthoulis

For Roviros

Our beloved Roviros,

In your face, the Greek Documentary Association sadly bids farewell to a great Creator and Teacher of the documentary (and not only). A wonderful person, for those of us who knew you closely, always available and by our side in everything we needed.

In your ephemeral passage from this world you left us a great, eternal, legacy with your cinematic creations, your writings and your attitude that always accompanies and will illuminate our path. As a minimum tribute at present and with the promise to come back much more substantially to pay tribute to your memory, we deposit, instead of a wreath, in our "common fund", two excerpts from your upcoming book Montage and magic:

Magic is a construction. Like an ancient temple. Each of its columns is a composition of pieces. But because the composition is successful, we do not see pieces. We see columns. We do not see montage, we see temple. The montage is the seams. And the seams should not be visible in the films. ... except for the absence of actors, there is only one difference between documentary and fiction. It is much more difficult to create magic in the documentary than fiction. As it is just as difficult to build a temple. The Parthenon is a magical documentary in itself, isn't it?

If the Cinema is alive, it owes it to its shadows on the white wall. Both fiction and documentary. The only difference is that if in the documentary the person in the scene we are shooting dies, he can not be replaced. So we can claim that a living documentary is the antidote to death.

Warm condolences to your family and loved ones.

(text: Stavros Psylakis for GDA)

27/2/2022

LETTER OF SOLIDARITY TO UKRAINE ON BEHALF OF THE GDA

Putin's authoritarian regime, under false pretenses, has launched a total invasion of the territories of the peaceful republic of Ukraine, starting a fierce war and seriously threatening Europe and world peace.

As people of Culture, we Greek documentary filmmakers are particularly sensitive to the abolition of the basic principles of democracy and freedom, to which this shameful invasion amounts.

Together with our Ukrainian colleagues, whose freedom and lives are under immediate threat, but also with our colleagues in Russia and Belarus, who have dared to express their opposition to the war, we demand an immediate end to the deadly "war operation" of Russia.

The Hellenic Documentary Association calls on the Greek Government to make a substantial contribution to the strengthening of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian people need our support and practical assistance.

In Ukraine people do not only defend their country, they fight for freedom and real democracy.

Our Ukrainian colleagues in a letter request:

Immediate measures for the protection of the civilian population and a complete commercial embargo
Medical and humanitarian aid

Complete isolation of Russia at all levels.
Immediate imposition of personal sanctions (travel ban and seizure of assets) on all Russian oligarchs and not just the close circle around the Putin regime.
Extensive funding in Ukraine

The firm position of the Hellenic Documentary Association is the support to our fellow colleagues, wherever they are in the crosshairs, all over the war-torn world and especially at this moment, in Ukraine.

We stand in solidarity with them as well as with each individual civilian who is a victim of this irrational conflict.

Practical solidarity for us, means help to every victim of the war, inside and outside Greek borders!

We must act immediately. Unless effective action is taken, we will be remembered in history as passive accomplices in the horrific crimes now being committed against freedom, democracy and humanity.

The Board of Directors of the GDA

Chairman: Anneta Papathanasiou

Vice President: Meletis Miras

Secretary: Ilia Papaspyrou

Treasurer: Andreas Siadimas

Members: Dionysia Kopana

Giannis Misouridis

Maria Leonida

18/2/2022

PRESS RELEASE OF THE GREEK DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

ELECTION OF A NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GDA

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, the annual General Assembly of the Greek Documentary Association was held online, with parallel elections for the election of the new Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of our Union.

The following were appointed as members of the new Board of Directors based on the results of the voting, but also after the internal voting of the elected body concerning their responsibilities:

President: Anneta Papathanassiou
Vice President: Meletis Miras
Secretary: Ilia Papapyrou
Treasurer: Andreas Siadimas
Members:
Dionysia Kopana
Maria Leonida
Giannis Misouridis

Members of the new Audit Committee are:

Mark Gastin
Angelos Kovotsos
Spyros Tsiftsis

Yours sincerely

The new Board of Directors of the GDA

1/1/2022

24th THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

Invitation for submission of Greek films

Deadline: Wednesday 12 January 2022

19/1/2022

Dear friends,

The 7th Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival "Beyond the Borders", extends an open invitation to documentary filmmakers from all over the world to participate in 2022.

Please, find the Submission Form and the terms of participation here: https://beyondborders.gr/forma-symmetoxis?view=form

Please follow the link to watch the Movie Invitation Trailer: https://youtu.be/Dx9W-7KmEN8

"Kastellorizo - Where documentary film meets History and Culture"

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: APRIL 30, 2022