24/10/2023 - The most important Greek film gathering is running from 2-12 November, featuring four competitive sections that include movies from around the world

The 64th Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) is scheduled to take place from 2-12 November, maintaining its traditional commitment to discovering new talents and voices that challenge our perspectives. The festival's four competitions promise captivating and profoundly human cinematic experiences. Opening the gathering is The Taste of Things [+see also:
film review
film profile] by acclaimed French-Vietnamese director Trần Anh Hùng, who received the Best Director Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Closing the event is Fallen Leaves [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, which is also one of the nominees for the LUX Audience Award.

Eleven feature debuts or sophomore films have earned a selection in the International Competition. These pictures are vying for the Golden Alexander Award, the recipient of which will be determined by the international jury, consisting of Dieter Kosslick, former director of the Berlinale; producer Diana Elbaum; and filmmaker Elina Psykou. The selection includes Animal [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sofia Exarchou
film profile] by Sofia Exarchou (Greece/Austria/Romania/Cyprus/Bulgaria), The Feeling that the Time for Doing Something has Passed by Joanna Arnow (USA), Fingernails by Christos Nikou (USA), Grace [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Ilya Povolotsky (Russia), Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person by Ariane Louis-Seize (Canada), In Camera [+see also:
film review
interview: Naqqash Khalid
film profile] by Naqqash Khalid (UK), The Last Taxi Driver [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Stergios Paschos (Greece), The Lost Boys [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Zeno Graton
film profile] by Zeno Graton (Belgium/France), Medium [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Christina Ioakeimidi
film profile] by Christina Ioakeimidi (Greece/Bulgaria), Sweet Dreams [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ena Sendijarević
film profile] by Ena Sendijarević (Netherlands/Sweden/Indonesia/France) and Touched [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Claudia Rorarius
film profile] by Claudia Rorarius (Germany).

For the fifth consecutive year, the Meet the Neighbours+ Competition has been “upgraded”, with its cash prizes now matching the International Competition’s. The section features 11 debut or sophomore films offering profound insights into life and the human condition “beyond our neighbourhood”. The jury includes Xenia Kaldara, general director of the Michalis Cacoyannis Foundation; festival programmer and film critic Cedric Succivalli; and actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart. The Golden Alexander has been renamed as the “Golden Alexander - Michel Dimopoulos” in recognition of his role in expanding the festival's global reach. The films at this edition are Àma Gloria [+see also:
film review
interview: Marie Amachoukeli
film profile] by Marie Amachoukeli (France), Day of the Tiger [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrei Tănase
film profile] by Andrei Tănase (Romania/France/Greece), Excursion [+see also:
film review
interview: Una Gunjak
film profile] by Una Gunjak (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Croatia/Serbia/France/Norway/Qatar), Guest Star [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Vasilis Christofilakis (Greece), Inshallah a Boy [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Amjad Al Rasheed (Jordan/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France), Milk [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Stefanie Kolk
film profile] by Stefanie Kolk (Netherlands), Murderess by Eva Nathena (Greece), Notes on a Summer [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Diego Llorente (Spain), The Vanishing Soldier [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Dani Rosenberg (Israel), We Have Never Been Modern [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Matěj Chlupáček and Miro Ši…
film profile] by Matěj Chlupáček (Czech Republic/Slovakia), Where the Wind Blows [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Marco Righi
film profile] by Marco Righi (Italy) and Without Air [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Katalin Moldovai
film profile] by Katalin Moldovai (Hungary/Romania).

The >>Film Forward section, which has always been much revered by film lovers, is inviting along 11 movies by bold directors who question the conventions of filmmaking, and the awards will be distributed by the international jury, comprising film director and video artist Köken Ergun; filmmaker, writer and academic Ana Grgić; and film director Nikos Pastras. The selection includes All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt by Raven Jackson (USA), Camping du Lac [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Éléonore Saintagnan
film profile] by Eléonore Saintagnan (Belgium/France), Embryo Larva Butterfly [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kyros Papavassiliou
film profile] by Kyros Papavassiliou (Cyprus/Greece), Foremost by Night [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Víctor Iriarte
film profile] by Victor Iriarte (Spain/Portugal/France), Hello Dankness by Soda Jerk (Australia), The Human Surge 3 [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Eduardo Williams (Argentina/Portugal/Netherlands/Taiwan/Brazil/Hong Kong/Sri Lanka/Peru), Little Things That Went Wrong by Haris Vafiadis (Greece), Remembering Every Night by Yui Kiyohara (Japan), Samsara [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lois Patiño
film profile] by Lois Patiño (Spain) and The Vourdalak [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adrien Beau
film profile] by Adrien Beau (France).

Finally, the Immersive competition section embraces films that make use of the latest technologies, proving that this new medium is opening up exciting avenues for the cinematic art and experience. It includes eight films that beckon us into imaginary worlds, introduce us to imaginary friends, and explore the power of music and the inspiration triggered by diversity. The films on offer here provide a thrilling viewing experience, transcending genres and immersing the audience in the universe of each movie.