The awards for the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival's Agora were presented during a special ceremony. Angeliki Vergou, the head of Agora, presided over the ceremony. Starting with the Crossroads Co-Production Forum, the Co-Production Award provided by Greek post-production company 2|35, which went to The Hunchback by Ahu Ozturk. The project, produced by Pinar Aydin of Leyla Film, captivated the jury with its raw portrayal of two women experiencing loss, abandonment, and delusion in an immersive narrative.

The CNC Script Development Award, worth €8,000, was awarded to Passport by Rakan Mayasi, produced by May Odeh and Zorana Musikic of Mayana Films, with co-production by Abdallah Al Ramahi. The jury noted the project’s “biting, poetic, and humorous journey that reflects the absurdity of life experiences, transforming a third-world narrative into a first-class journey.”

The Greener Screen Consultancy Award, valued at €7,000 and offering a tailored green production plan, was presented ex aequo to The Hunchback by Ahu Ozturk and The Appalling Human Voice of the Animals by Neritan Zinxhiria. According to the jury, “Both projects displayed exceptional dedication to environmental responsibility and demonstrated their commitment to sustainability in filmmaking.”

The ArteKino International Award, accompanied by a cash prize of €6,000, went to Fog by Denis Spiridonov, produced by Katia Khazak of Aurora Films, with co-production by Vanya Rainova of Portokal. The jury highlighted the project’s “sensitive and determined storytelling that captures the personal and political dilemmas faced by its protagonist, shaped by recent events in the director’s homeland.”

The Finos Film Award, which supports the local industry with a €3,000 grant, was given to Wake (Agrypnia) by Thelyia Petraki, produced by Kostas Tagalakis of Out of the Box Films, with co-producers Iraklis Mavroidis and Nikos Smpiliris of Boo Productions. The jury praised its “emotional depth and clear vision, using the protagonist’s gaze to unveil hidden truths.”

The Producers Network Accreditation for the Cannes Marché du Film was awarded to producer Ares Shporta for Bleach by Kaltrina Krasniqi, recognising its exploration of class and gender inequalities. The Mediterranean Film Institute’s Script 2 Film Workshop Scholarship was bestowed on Passport by Rakan Mayasi, which the jury lauded for its bold and haunting narrative. The MIDPOINT Consulting Award went to The Side Effects of Trusting Life by Ahmad Ghossein, produced by Georges Schoucair of Abbout Productions, for its depiction of resilience amidst relentless disasters, portrayed with a touch of humour.

This year, the Onassis Film Award, accompanied by a €10,000 cash prize, was awarded to the Greek project African Grey by Yorgos Gousis which participated in the Crossroads Co-Production Forum. The jury praised the winner with the following statement: "The Onassis Film Award goes to a project that redefines a beloved genre and promises a satisfying cinematic story with a surprising protagonist. A project which shows that sometimes ideas for films can be found as easily as knocking on our neighbour's door." The EAVE Thessaloniki Award – Marketing Scholarship was awarded to the project’s producer Konstantinos Koukoulis of Plankton. The jury noted his strong motivation and potential for leveraging the opportunity, especially given his base on the island of Lesvos.

In Agora Works in Progress, the Authorwave Post-Production Award for creative services was awarded to Bearcave by Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna Papadakis, produced by Emily Sky Hickin of PUCCI Productions, and Stergios Dinopoulos, Krysianna Papadakis, Arsinoi Pilou, Thanasis Michalopoulos of the Pameligo Collective. The jury cited its “unique style, rebellious characters, and compelling storytelling.”

The 119 Marvila Studios Award for sound mixing services went to Lifelike by Ali Vatansever for its “moving portrayal of modern-day Turkey through the lens of a family drama that tackles universal current affairs with tenderness and humour.” The ERT cash prize of €2,000 was given to Patty is Such A Girly Name by Giorgos Georgopoulos as it “can offer romance, suspense, quirky humour and, above all, a playful glimpse behind the scenes of the traditional martial arts world.”

The Crew United Award within the Meet the Future of Agora was given to composer Vasilis Zlatanos for his outstanding ability to elevate film scenes with his music, coupled with stellar acting performances. The newly established Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra Award was presented to composer John Konsolakis, granting him the opportunity to record a symphonic film score with support valued up to €20,000, a first-of-its-kind prize emphasising symphonic film music creation.

Here is the complete list of award winners:

Crossroads Co-Production Forum Awards

2|35 Co-Production Award
The Hunchback – Ahu Ozturk (Turkey)
Producer: Pinar Aydin (Leyla Film)

CNC Development Award
Passport – Rakan Mayasi (Palestine/Germany/Jordan)
Producers: May Odeh, Zorana Musikic (Mayana Films)
Co-producer: Abdallah Al Ramahi

Greener Screen Consultancy Award
The Hunchback – Ahu Ozturk (Turkey)

The Appalling Human Voice of the Animals – Neritan Zinxhiria (Greece)
Producer: Efijeni Kokedhima (Reconstructing Memories)

ArteKino International Award
Fog – Denis Spiridonov (France/Bulgaria)
Producer: Katia Khazak (Aurora Films)
Co-producer: Vanya Rainova (Portokal)

Finos Film Award
Wake (Agrypnia) – Thelyia Petraki (Greece)
Producer: Kostas Tagalakis (Out of the Box Films)
Co-producers: Iraklis Mavroidis, Nikos Smpiliris (Boo Productions)

Cannes Producers Network Award
Bleach – Kaltrina Krasniqi (Kosovo/North Macedonia/Montenegro)
Producer: Ares Shporta (Vera Films)
Co-producers: Dream Factory Macedonia, Code Blue Production

MFI Script 2 Film Workshops
Passport – Rakan Mayasi (Palestine/Germany/Jordan)

MIDPOINT Consulting Award
The Side Effects of Trusting Life – Ahmad Ghossein (Lebanon)
Producer: Georges Schoucair (Abbout Productions)
Co-producers: Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion, DUOfilm

EAVE Thessaloniki Award – Marketing Scholarship
African Grey – Producer: Konstantinos Koukoulis (Greece)

Onasis Film Award
African Grey – Yorgos Gousis (Greece)
Producer: Konstantinos Koukoulis (Plankton)

Agora Works in Progress

Authorwave Post-Production Award
Bearcave – Stergios Dinopoulos, Krysianna Papadakis (Greece/UK)
Producers: Emily Sky Hickin (PUCCI Productions), Stergios Dinopoulos, Krysianna Papadakis, Arsinoi Pilou, Thanasis Michalopoulos (Pameligo Collective)

119 Marvila Studios Sound Mix Award
Lifelike – Ali Vatansever (Turkey/Greece)
Producers: Selin Vatansever Tezcan, Oya Özden Özdemir (Terminal Film), Aytun Aktan Bahçeci (Aktan Görsel Sanatlar)
Co-producer: Antigoni Rota (Foss Productions)

ERT Agora Works in Progress Award
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – Giorgos Georgopoulos (Greece)
Producer: Stefanos Koutsardakis (Chaotic Good Productions)
Co-producers: Christos V Konstantakopoulos (Faliro House Productions), Fenia Cossovitsa (Blonde Productions)

Crew United Award
Vasilis Zlatanos

Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra Award
John Konsolakis