Running from 3-11 November, Agora serves as the industry segment of the 64^th Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Agora functions as an inclusive and diverse professional hub, catering to all facets of the audiovisual sector. Every year, it hosts the Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy and the Agora Short Film Lab, which offer customised programmes and networking opportunities for emerging professionals.

The Thessaloniki International Film Festival is one of five European film festivals collaborating on an innovative initiative called Launchpad (read the news). This initiative is also partnered with the Locarno Film Festival, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, IFFR, and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Launchpad has the objective of easing the integration of promising emerging film professionals engaged in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition, programming, funds, and commissions. It achieves this by providing them with facilitated access to a network of film festivals throughout the annual calendar. Agora is hosting a total of nine professionals, providing them with the option to participate either online or in person.

As was previously announced (read the news), Agora is introducing a new initiative called “Bridge to the North,” aimed at fostering collaboration between the South and the North. Each year, a different guest country from the Baltic and Scandinavian region will be invited. In collaboration with the Lithuanian Film Centre, a delegation of Lithuanian producers, directors, distributors, and film programmers who will actively participate in all Agora activities with their own projects and talents will be hosted.

In its eighth consecutive year, the Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy, taking place from 4-9 November, is hosting a group of eight emerging professionals specialising in film promotion. The programme offers participants a unique opportunity to learn from international experts who will share their insights and experiences. Through engaging discussions, presentations, case studies, and group activities, participants from Greece and beyond will gain a wealth of knowledge. The personalised training provided by the academy will empower attendees to expand their professional network within the realms of international sales, marketing, distribution, and film programming.

Here is the list of participants of Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy 2023:

Zahra Benasri, founder and sales - Hors Du Bocal (Belgium/Morocco)
Alfred Deragne, head of acquisitions and co-productions - Indie Sales (France)
Ayumi Filippone, fund coordinator - Hubert Bals Fund (IFFR) (Italy/Japan)
Dovilė Grigaliūnaitė, festival programmer and acquisition manager - Vilnius Film Festival Kino Pavasaris (Lithuania)
Yort Jansen, digital media and markets - Flanders Image (Belgium)
Dimosthenis Kontes, international film sales manager – Pluto Film (Greece)
Eftychia Terzi, programming assistant - Cinobo (Greece)
Adrien Vidal-Berthaud, sales manager - Reel Suspects (France)

Taking place from 5-9 November, Agora Short Film Lab is a collaborative initiative between Agora, the Drama International Short Film Festival, and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The lab is exclusively open to directors who have been honoured with prestigious awards at the Drama International Short Film Festival's National Competition (including the Golden Dionysus Award for Best Film, Best Director Award, and Best Screenplay Award) and film directors recognised at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals who will provide practical insights for their future endeavours, particularly focusing on the transition to full-length film production. The Agora Short Film Lab instructors will share their experience and expertise across various aspects of filmmaking, spanning scriptwriting, production, marketing, and the vital role of sales agents. Furthermore, they will offer guidance on effective pitching, networking, and provide valuable information on European programmes dedicated to film production.

Here are the Agora Short Film Lab 2023 participants:
Stergios Dinopoulos (Greece)
Eitvydas Doskus (Lithuania)
Alexis Koukias-Pantelis (Greece)
Krysianna Papadakis (Greece)
Arthur Thomas-Pavlowsky (France)

As for the speakers who will be part of the two initiatives, those include Michael Arnon, partner at boutique PR & marketing film WOLF; Geremia Biagiotti, sales agent at Intramovies; Markus Duffner, head of Locarno Pro; Ed Frost, release senior marketing manager at MUBI; Rico Johnson-Sinclair, co-director of ARTEF (Anti-Racist Taskforce for European Film); Vicky Miha, producer and marketing expert at Asterisk*; Razvan Radulescu, scriptwriter and script consultant; Markéta Šantrochová, head of Czech Film Center; and Sergina Stavroulaki, acquisitions at Heretic.