Films, Docs & Shorts

Open until the 14th of July

Message from the team

In an effort to keep our team, guests and islands safe and under the guidance of Greek state, we have decided to postpone the dates of the festival for August 2020 while discussing the option of hosting an online version later in the summer. The submission deadlines will be postponed accordingly to the 14th of July 2020 and the notification date for the shortlisted films will now be the 22nd of July 2020.  

In 2010 the Aegean Film Festival was founded as a way of bringing together filmmaking communities while introducing a meeting point and a celebration of independent cinema in the heart of the Greek summer.

These past ten years the Festival has been consistently presenting fiction and documentary programmes and providing support towards local communities, despite the numerous challenges we had to face.

Now more than ever, we believe it is our responsibility to continue our mission of presenting compelling stories and inspiring ideas - so necessary in times of crisis - and push forward towards creating the 10th Aegean Film Festival this summer. We hope we will all meet on the islands after COVID-19 is over.

In the meanwhile, in an effort to overcome COVID-19’s anxiety, loneliness and inertia, we are curating a list with some of our favourite films from the past editions, to keep you company during the sleepless nights of the lockdown.

Check the "Lockdown Diaries" below ...

Stay healthy, stay home, stay inspired …

Lockdown Diaries

Welcome to The Lockdown Diaries!
A curated list of the most inspiring films that have been screened at the Aegean Film Festival. We promise to stay connected and provide you with ideas to watch until the very end of COVID-19 and we hope to bring you closer to some of our favourite fiction films and documentaries.
Day by day we will be suggesting titles that can be watched online on major VOD platforms (Amazon, Netflix, Cinobo, Vimeo, Youtube, etc). Also you can check on Cosmote TV History - that broadcasts live for free on YouTube - some of the history documentaries premiered in our past editions.
You can always follow the news of the Lockdown Diaries on our social media, Facebook and Instagram, and post your comments.

THE GREAT BEAUTY

We reminisce our times in the Eternal City through a lifetime of lavish nights and endless, absurd, and spectacular beauty. The Great Beauty – the filmic gem of Paolo Sorrentino – takes us on a magic journey of adolescence, love, ecstasy and acceptance.

We reminisce our times in the Eternal City through a lifetime of lavish nights and endless, absurd, and spectacular beauty. The Great Beauty – the filmic gem of Paolo Sorrentino – takes us on a magic journey of adolescence, love, ecstasy and acceptance. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it was screened in competition for the Palme d'Or ; The Great Beauty won the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year the 86th Academy Awards.

WHEN TOMATOES MET WAGNER

In times like these it’s important to reinvent ourselves and lookout for brighter days – much like the case of Alexandro’s and Christo’s tomatoes. When Tomatoes Met Wanger, is a truly inspiring, moving and charming documentary about the sense of community and the importance of looking forward while respecting your past.

HER

Theodore is an introverted and lonely writer who was recently divorced with his wife. While coping with his grief he decides to purchase an operating system with artificial intelligence, that he later customizes to meet his needs. His everyday interaction his new app, Samantha makes him develop unusual feelings and eventually fall in love. Can this unusual relationship work? A sweet, soulful and intelligent sci-fi scenario directed by Spike Jonze.

Theodore is an introverted and lonely writer who was recently divorced with his wife. While coping with his grief he decides to purchase an operating system with artificial intelligence, that he later customizes to meet his needs. His everyday interaction his new app, Samantha makes him develop unusual feelings and eventually fall in love. Can this unusual relationship work? A sweet, soulful and intelligent sci-fi scenario directed by Spike Jonze.

MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE

The incredible, remarkable and powerful love story of Leonard Cohen's enduring relationship with his Norwegian wife, Marianne Ihlen. Her relationship with the famous songwriter has now become legendary, not only because she inspired some Cohen's most brilliant masterpieces but also because their spark that remained alive over the years. Nick Broomfield chronicles the couple's relationship from their early days on the island of Hydra to the emotionally destructive times of Leonard's success.

The incredible, remarkable and powerful love story of Leonard Cohen's enduring relationship with his Norwegian wife, Marianne Ihlen. Her relationship with the famous songwriter has now become legendary, not only because she inspired some Cohen's most brilliant masterpieces but also because their spark that remained alive over the years. Nick Broomfield chronicles the couple's relationship from their early days on the island of Hydra to the emotionally destructive times of Leonard's success.

MUSTANG

Mustang is a story about five sisters who have lost their parents, and live with their grandmother and uncle in a village in northern Turkey. After a day of dating and having fun with boys, their grandma and uncle decide to cut them off from the outside world, and transform their house into a prison. While fighting for freedom, the sisters struggle to find ways of getting around the constraints and oppression imposed on them. A transfixing, atmospheric and intimate drama film by Deniz Gamze Ergüven which received widespread critical praise.

Mustang is a story about five sisters who have lost their parents, and live with their grandmother and uncle in a village in northern Turkey. After a day of dating and having fun with boys, their grandma and uncle decide to cut them off from the outside world, and transform their house into a prison. While fighting for freedom, the sisters struggle to find ways of getting around the constraints and oppression imposed on them. A transfixing, atmospheric and intimate drama film by Deniz Gamze Ergüven which received widespread critical praise.

MAIDEN

In the late 1980s, amateur British sailor Tracy Edwards decided she’d had enough of being discriminated in sailing for being a woman. She assembled the world’s first international all-female sailing crew and took part in the Whitbread Round the World Race—a staggering 40,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the earth that few boats dared tackle. As the team weathered not only life-threatening high seas but also a storm of sexism in the media, their expedition came to signify so much more than just a race to the finish line. Directed by Alex Holmes this inspiring documentary premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2018.

In the late 1980s, amateur British sailor Tracy Edwards decided she’d had enough of being discriminated in sailing for being a woman. She assembled the world’s first international all-female sailing crew and took part in the Whitbread Round the World Race—a staggering 40,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the earth that few boats dared tackle. As the team weathered not only life-threatening high seas but also a storm of sexism in the media, their expedition came to signify so much more than just a race to the finish line. Directed by Alex Holmes this inspiring documentary premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2018.

EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT

“To become warriors, the cohiuanos must abandon all and go alone to the jungle, guided only by their dreams (…) Many are lost, and some never return. But those who return they are ready to face what is to come.” In search for a sacred healing plant, two scientists follow the last survivor of the Karamakate tribe through the depths of the Amazon forest. Embrace Of The Serpent directed by Ciro Guerra, transports us into a fable-like world as we explore the bridges between Amazonian and Western storytelling.

“To become warriors, the cohiuanos must abandon all and go alone to the jungle, guided only by their dreams (…) Many are lost, and some never return. But those who return they are ready to face what is to come.” In search for a sacred healing plant, two scientists follow the last survivor of the Karamakate tribe through the depths of the Amazon forest. Embrace Of The Serpent directed by Ciro Guerra, transports us into a fable-like world as we explore the bridges between Amazonian and Western storytelling.

THE SALT OF THE EARTH

People are the salt of the earth.” Said Juliano Ribeiro Salgado.

“The Salt of The Earth” is a touching and beautiful doc that follows the life and work of the famous Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. The photographer has been documenting impoverished communities in remote corners of the world for forty years.
Directed by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, the film premiered in Cannes Film Festival where it won the Un Certain Regard Special Prize.

People are the salt of the earth.” Said Juliano Ribeiro Salgado.

“The Salt of The Earth” is a touching and beautiful doc that follows the life and work of the famous Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. The photographer has been documenting impoverished communities in remote corners of the world for forty years.
Directed by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, the film premiered in Cannes Film Festival where it won the Un Certain Regard Special Prize.

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

Beasts of the Southern Wild is the story of Hushpuppy, a six- year-old girl who lives with her father when he is diagnosed with an unidentified disease. While her dad's health worsens the environment suffers with him bringing back to life the prehistoric creatures aurochs. Threatened by an environmental catastrophe and in search for a safe place to live, Hushpuppy embarks on a journey in search for her mother. This tender and poetic film directed by Benh Zeitlin, is a response Hurricane Katrina and premiered in Sundance Film Festival 2012 .

Beasts of the Southern Wild is the story of Hushpuppy, a six- year-old girl who lives with her father when he is diagnosed with an unidentified disease. While her dad's health worsens the environment suffers with him bringing back to life the prehistoric creatures aurochs. Threatened by an environmental catastrophe and in search for a safe place to live, Hushpuppy embarks on a journey in search for her mother. This tender and poetic film directed by Benh Zeitlin, is a response Hurricane Katrina and premiered in Sundance Film Festival 2012 .

THE SERENGETI RULES

The Serengeti Rules is an incredible documentary that illustrates how all things in nature work. Exploring some of the most remote and spectacular places on Earth, five pioneering scientists make surprising discoveries that flip our understanding of nature on its head, and offer new hope for restoring our world.

The Serengeti Rules is an incredible documentary that illustrates how all things in nature work. Exploring some of the most remote and spectacular places on Earth, five pioneering scientists make surprising discoveries that flip our understanding of nature on its head, and offer new hope for restoring our world.

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE

Once again the Kiwis did it and managed to fought through, much like Ricky and Hec in the Hunt for the Wilderpeople: a comic and adventurous dynamite for all our “homies” – as 13-year-old Ricky would say. While lost in New Zealand’s forests, the adolescent misfits Ricky and his grumpy uncle have to find a way to resolve their differences and work together in order to survive.

Once again the Kiwis did it and managed to fought through, much like Ricky and Hec in the Hunt for the Wilderpeople: a comic and adventurous dynamite for all our “homies” – as 13-year-old Ricky would say. While lost in New Zealand’s forests, the adolescent misfits Ricky and his grumpy uncle have to find a way to resolve their differences and work together in order to survive.

THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

What would you do if you were to find out that you have two identical siblings with which you got separated at birth? That’s the story of Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran the identical triplets that got separated from each other when they were only 6-months old. When they finally find each other they embark on a journey to find out the truth and they’re suddenly faced with an unimaginable and sinister secret.

What would you do if you were to find out that you have two identical siblings with which you got separated at birth? That’s the story of Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran the identical triplets that got separated from each other when they were only 6-months old. When they finally find each other they embark on a journey to find out the truth and they’re suddenly faced with an unimaginable and sinister secret.

ISLE OF DOGS

When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies to Trash Island in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. A heartwarming stop-motion adventure directed by Wes Anderson.

When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies to Trash Island in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. A heartwarming stop-motion adventure directed by Wes Anderson.

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

Two South Africans set out to discover whether the death of their musical hero is true or not. The mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez, has disappeared and rumor has it he lit himself on fire. No one has seen him since… An adventurous and Swedish–British–Finnish documentary film directed by Malik Bendjelloul that premiered in Sundance Film Festival in 2012.

Two South Africans set out to discover whether the death of their musical hero is true or not. The mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez, has disappeared and rumor has it he lit himself on fire. No one has seen him since… An adventurous and Swedish–British–Finnish documentary film directed by Malik Bendjelloul that premiered in Sundance Film Festival in 2012.

DIEGO MARADONA

In 1984, Diego Maradona arrived in Naples for a world-record fee. The world’s most celebrated football icon and the most passionate but dangerous city in Europe were a perfect match for each other. It is constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage from Maradona’s personal archive with the full support of the man himself.Directed by Asif Kapadia, the documentary premiered at Cannes Film Festival and had its Greek premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2019.

In 1984, Diego Maradona arrived in Naples for a world-record fee. The world’s most celebrated football icon and the most passionate but dangerous city in Europe were a perfect match for each other. It is constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage from Maradona’s personal archive with the full support of the man himself.Directed by Asif Kapadia, the documentary premiered at Cannes Film Festival and had its Greek premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2019.

SUNTAN

Suntan is undeniably one of the most intense Greek summer films of the last few years. Kostis is a 40-year-old doctor that finds himself in the small island of Antiparos, in order to take over the local clinic. His whole life and routine will turn upside down when he meets an international group of young and beautiful tourists and he falls in love with Anna, a 19-year-old goddess. Directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, the film premiered at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2016.

Suntan is undeniably one of the most intense Greek summer films of the last few years. Kostis is a 40-year-old doctor that finds himself in the small island of Antiparos, in order to take over the local clinic. His whole life and routine will turn upside down when he meets an international group of young and beautiful tourists and he falls in love with Anna, a 19-year-old goddess. Directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, the film premiered at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2016.

THE GREAT HACK

Do you ever wonder why you receive ads for products that you happened to research the day before? THE GREAT HACK is an eye-opening, well-executed documentary that uncovers the dark world of data exploitation and delves into the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data breach that rocked the world. A documentary produced and directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer and had its European premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2019.

Do you ever wonder why you receive ads for products that you happened to research the day before? THE GREAT HACK is an eye-opening, well-executed documentary that uncovers the dark world of data exploitation and delves into the Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data breach that rocked the world. A documentary produced and directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer and had its European premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2019.

AMERICAN ANIMALS

American Animals is a crime drama written and directed by Bart Layton. The extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends living everyday lives who, desperate to break out of the ordinary, brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history. American Animals had its premiere at Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2018.

American Animals is a crime drama written and directed by Bart Layton. The extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends living everyday lives who, desperate to break out of the ordinary, brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history. American Animals had its premiere at Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2018.

HAPPY AS LAZZARO

HAPPY AS LAZZARO is an Italian drama by Alice Rohrwacher. Lazzaro is a naive and optimistic twenty-year-old farmer; Tancredi is instead a young man with a fervid imagination. Between the two, an unexpected friendship is born. Over time, the two face many difficulties together, until Tancredi makes his tracks lose in the city, and Lazzaro sets out to search for him. HAPPY AS LAZZARO premiered in Cannes Film Festival in 2018 and won the award for Best Screenplay. The film was screened as a Greek premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2018.

HAPPY AS LAZZARO is an Italian drama by Alice Rohrwacher. Lazzaro is a naive and optimistic twenty-year-old farmer; Tancredi is instead a young man with a fervid imagination. Between the two, an unexpected friendship is born. Over time, the two face many difficulties together, until Tancredi makes his tracks lose in the city, and Lazzaro sets out to search for him. HAPPY AS LAZZARO premiered in Cannes Film Festival in 2018 and won the award for Best Screenplay. The film was screened as a Greek premiere at Aegean Film Festival in 2018.

FIRE AT SEA

FIRE AT SEA is a fascinating and remarkable Italian documentary directed by Gianfranco Rosi. Samuele is 12 years old and lives on an island in the middle of the sea. But his is not an island like the others, its name is Lampedusa and it is the most symbolic border of Europe, crossed by thousands of migrants in the last 20 years in search of freedom. FIRE AT SEA won the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2016.

FIRE AT SEA is a fascinating and remarkable Italian documentary directed by Gianfranco Rosi. Samuele is 12 years old and lives on an island in the middle of the sea. But his is not an island like the others, its name is Lampedusa and it is the most symbolic border of Europe, crossed by thousands of migrants in the last 20 years in search of freedom. FIRE AT SEA won the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2016.

MACHINES

In his mind-provoking yet intimate portrayal, director Rahul Jain observes the life of the workers, the suffering and the environment they can hardly escape from. With strong visual language, memorable images and carefully selected interviews of the workers themselves, Jain tells a story of inequality, oppression and the huge divide between rich, poor and the perspectives of both. MACHINES was a part of the Aegean Film Festival in 2017.

In his mind-provoking yet intimate portrayal, director Rahul Jain observes the life of the workers, the suffering and the environment they can hardly escape from. With strong visual language, memorable images and carefully selected interviews of the workers themselves, Jain tells a story of inequality, oppression and the huge divide between rich, poor and the perspectives of both. MACHINES was a part of the Aegean Film Festival in 2017.

THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES

The secret in their eyes is a crime drama directed by Juan José Campanella, based on the novel La pregunt de sus ojos by Eduardo Sacheri. A retired legal conselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards and was screened at the Aegean Film Festival in 2010.

The secret in their eyes is a crime drama directed by Juan José Campanella, based on the novel La pregunt de sus ojos by Eduardo Sacheri. A retired legal conselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards and was screened at the Aegean Film Festival in 2010.

20.000 DAYS ON EARTH

The documentary portrays the fictionalised 24hours of Nick Cave’s life, inspired by his songwriting, notes and calculations of his last day on Earth. 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH premiered at Sundance winning two awards for Best Editing and Directing and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2015.

The documentary portrays the fictionalised 24hours of Nick Cave’s life, inspired by his songwriting, notes and calculations of his last day on Earth. 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH premiered at Sundance winning two awards for Best Editing and Directing and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2015.

BEFORE MIDNIGHT

The Film is a sequel of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Before Midnight is romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater. 18 years after their first meeting, Jesse and Celine, are now a couple with children and are vacationing in Greece. On the last day of their vacation, their relationship will be tested unexpectedly. BEFORE MIDNIGHT premiered at Sundance film festival in 2013 and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2013.

The Film is a sequel of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Before Midnight is romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater. 18 years after their first meeting, Jesse and Celine, are now a couple with children and are vacationing in Greece. On the last day of their vacation, their relationship will be tested unexpectedly. BEFORE MIDNIGHT premiered at Sundance film festival in 2013 and was screened at Aegean Film Festival in 2013.

... we will meet again

2020 Festival Passes

Awards

Aegean Short Film Awards

We’re excited to announce the Aegean Short Film Awards 2019 powered by COSMOTE TV:

Best Aegean International Short Film Jury Award 2019
€2,500 in Distribution Rights

Tungrus
Dir. Rishi Chandna
Lng: English, Hindi

Best Aegean Greek Short Film Jury Award 2019
€500 in Distribution Rights

Patision Avenue
Dir. Thanasis Neofotistos
Lng: Greek

Join us next year on the islands, watch great films and have your work reach wider audiences.
Film Submissions

Aegean Short Film Jury

A warm welcome to the new Aegean Short Film Jury 2019: Philip Ilson, Sam Cullis and Gregory Kokkinakis. A new friendship begins with curated programmes exchange and exciting stories!

1. Alin Tasciyan - Deputy Secretary, FIPRESCI
2. Philip Ilson - Festival Director, London Short Film Festival
3. Sam Cullis - Festival Director, Barnes Film Festival (London)
4. Gregory Kokkinakis - Cosmote TV Cinema & VOD Section Manager
5. Grace Attanasio, Nora Graham, Sasha Pinto, Karina Rotenstreich - Ivy Film Festival Board

Aegean Short Film Jury 2020: To be announced soon

Aegean Audience Awards 2019

The Aegean Film Festival introduces the Aegean Audience Awards for best Fiction Feature and Documentary Feature Film.

Best Feature Film Audience Award

Yesterday
Dir: Danny Boyle
Lng: English

Best Feature Documentary Audience Award

When Tomatoes Met Wanger
Dir. Marianna Economou
Lng. Greek