The Athens International Film Festival has been taking place for more than twenty years with the support of cinemagazine.gr. The Festival transforms the centre of Athens into a ten-day cinematic fest, with the most notable film premieres of the year, unique tributes, highly anticipated music-related films, the annual crop of the best documentaries as well as complimentary events such as concerts, parties, special screenings and other surprises.
Under the supervision of the artistic director, Loukas Katsikas, and with the help of a dynamic and youthful team, the Athens International Film Festival will hold its 24th annual event from the 19th to the 30th of September and present more than 100 new feature-length films from around the world as well as from Greece, three competition sections, special tributes and carefully selected Greek short films.
The Athens International Film Festival Nyxtes Premieras, was originally founded by the Athens Film Society with the intention of highlighting lesser-known aspects/genres of independent cinema, introducing audiences to some of the best productions of the year and establishing itself as the ideal opening of the upcoming movie season. The Festival was launched in September 1995 and continues successfully until now.
We have hand-picked the Asian movies in this year's Programme.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION:
The Seen and the Unseen by Kamila Andini
(Indonesia, Netherlands, Australia, Qatar 2017)
Every day 10-year old Tantri loses herself in an imaginary world, the only place she can be with her twin brother. This cinematic poem from Indonesia is one of the most beautiful testaments to childhood as it depicts a young girl's journey through sadness, rage and finally acceptance of loss. Nominated in the Generation section of the Berlin Film Festival.
“STRANGER THAN FICTION” – INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES COMPETITION:
Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. by Stephen Loveridge (USA, UK, Sri Lanka 2018)
From the war in Sri Lanka and her immigration to London to her achieving prominence and her fierce conflict with the US media, this is the story of M.I.A., told through private never-before-seen material which chronicles a remarkable 22-year journey. This exciting portrait of one of the most radical and controversial voices in contemporary pop won the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film will be introduced by journalist and radio producer Theodosis Michos
“FESTIVAL DARLINGS” SECTION:
A Family Tour by Ying Liang (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia 2018 )
Exiled from her country, because of the views she puts across in her films, a Chinese director hasn't seen her mother in years. Until a risky plan is put in place to bring the two women together for one last time. A lesson in humanity and strength inspired by the director's personal experience and the grand simplicity of Ozu's films. One of this year's hidden gems.
Ash Is Purest White by Jia Zhangke (China, France 2018)
A small-time Mafioso of the Chinese countryside survives his attempted murder thanks to his lover's intervention who sadly ends up in jail. What starts out as a stylized gangster drama becomes a stimulating chronicle of the selfless love of an unyielding woman created by the hands of one of the most significant directors of Asian cinema, responsible for the award-winning “Still Life” and “A Touch of Sin”.
Burning by Lee Chang-dong (South Korea 2018)
A story by Haruki Murakami inspired one of the top Asian directors to create one of the best films of the year, a masterpiece on romantic obsession, which was received with great acclaim. The film received some of the best reviews written in the last ten years for a film in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Dead Pigs by Cathy Yan (China, USA 2018)
Five people meet in a rapidly changing Shanghai which is dealing with an inexplicable epidemic resulting in thousands of dead pigs floating down the river. A symbolic clash between modern and traditional, a film which unexpectedly changes genres in its successful attempt to be this year's unconventional epic. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
“AFTER HOURS” SECTION:
One Cut of the Dead by Shin'ichirô Ueda (Japan 2017)
A film crew is filming a zombie film in an abandoned warehouse when they are attacked by the actual living dead. What starts out as an incredible 37-minute single-take scene of a B-movie ends in a recital of backstage ineptitude by the most clumsy film crew you've ever seen.
“SPECIAL SCREENINGS” SECTION:
Mirai Of The Future by Mamoru Hosoda (Japan 2018)
Mirai's birth is met with jealousy by her four-year old brother. But the little boy will change his mind when he finds a magical garden which allows him to travel through time and meet his relatives at different time periods. A story about the invisible thread that links generations and families is Mamoru Hosoda's new animation which was this year's dark horse at the Cannes Film Festival. (Suitable for children over 8). In collaboration with the 1st Athens International Children's Film Festival. The film will be introduced by Kalliopi Charalambous Krief and Amanda Livanou, Directors of ATHICFF
Additional information about events and screenings, as well as continuous updates on the activities and news of the 24th Athens International Film Festival can be found on the official website
