The Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the 66th edition of which is taking place from 30 October-9 November, has announced the return of Agora Series, Agora’s dedicated forum for television and streaming series production across the region of Greece, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. The 2025 edition will take place on 1 and 2 November, presenting a two-day schedule of master classes, industry talks and case studies that bring together creators, producers, broadcasters and audiovisual professionals.

This year, Agora Series introduces Agora Series Talents, a new development and networking initiative designed to support both emerging and established screenwriters based in Greece. The programme provides a structured platform for screenwriters based in Greece, helping them refine their craft through hands-on workshops, master classes and one-on-one mentorship from leading professionals in the audiovisual field.

The programme will be led by Fleur Winters, producer, creator and founder of Big Blue. Over the course of the programme, this pilot edition’s selected participants - Margarita Gerogianni, Stella Kavallieratou, Anna Maria Lagortsi, Christina Mitropoulou, Manos Papaioannou and Katerina Papanastasatou - will receive expert feedback on their projects, guidance on development and how to present themselves and their work, as well as the opportunity to network with key international industry figures.

The Agora Series master class will feature acclaimed Italian filmmaker Saverio Costanzo, writer and director of My Brilliant Friend [+leggi anche:
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scheda series] (HBO, Rai), who will discuss his experience adapting Elena Ferrante’s acclaimed novels for the screen and share insights into his creative process. The session will be moderated by film critic Poly Lykourgou (flix.gr - NOVA TV).

Industry discussions will include a case study on the European co-production The Great Chimera, based on the classic Greek novel by M Karagatsis. Producers Pier Giorgio Bellocchio (Mompracem), Stelios Cotionis (Foss Productions), and executive producer Ferdinand Dohna (Beta Film) will be joined by Maria Kozakou, programme general manager of ERT, the national broadcaster, to discuss the production’s financing, co-production strategies and international collaboration. The series, which was filmed in Greece and in Italy, and includes a local and international cast, premieres in November on ERT. The discussion will be moderated by Poly Lykourgou.

Another highlight of the programme, moderated by journalist Iosifina Grivea (24media.gr), will explore how storytelling and intellectual property can shape cultural discourse and drive social impact. The panel features Alisha Hasan (founder and chief innovation officer, Helsinki Film Lab), Niall Shamma (producer, Warp Films), Niki Théron (senior manager, International Projects & Film, Frankfurter Buchmesse) and Maria Chiara Ventura (development supervisor, Our Films). The session will also examine examples such as the series Adolescence [+leggi anche:
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scheda series], reflecting on how audiovisual storytelling continues to influence social narratives across media.

This year’s Agora Series industry section will be complemented by series screenings within the main Thessaloniki International Film Festival programme, highlighting new international and regional works.