51ST THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
December 3 - 12, 2010
PRESS RELEASE ATHENS
51st TIFF LINE-UP, JURIES & PARALLEL EVENTS
With less than a week to go before the start of the event, we have the pleasure to contact you again with the latest news from this year’s 51st Thessaloniki International Film Festival, which kicks off Friday, December 3rd.
A complete list of this year’s line up can be found at the end of this press release. The Golden Alexander award bestows a purse of 20,000€ and the Silver Alexander award 10,000€ (shared ex aequo by the film’s director and producer). Added to the awards roster for the first time, a Special Jury Award for Originality and Innovation is introduced, carrying 5,000€ and presented to the winning film’s director.
INTERNATIONAL JURY
The five-member International Jury called to judge the films of the International Competition section and to award the Golden and Silver Alexanders plus a number of additional awards, is composed of:
Michel Demopoulos, Jury President, Film critic (Greece)
Mohamed Al-Daradji, Director (Iraq)
Scandar Copti, Director (Palestine)
Behrooz Hashemian, Producer (Iran/USA) and
Martin Schweighofer, Managing Director of the Austrian Film Commission (Austria)
The International Jury members will hold a press conference on the 7th of December, at 13.00 in Warehouse C, where they will discuss their views on filmmaking and the criteria with which they will be judging the films.
FIPRESCI JURY
The five-member FIPRESCI Jury called to judge films in the International Competition and the Greek Films Panorama sections is composed of:
Annika Gustafsson, President (Sweden)
Dubravka Lakic (Serbia)
Asli Selcuk (Turkey)
Chris Patmore (UK) and
Tasos Retzios (Greece)
PARALLEL EVENTS
MASTERCLASSES & PANELS- At the John Cassavetes Theatre, 11:00 – 13:00 unless otherwise specified
Borivoj Dovnikovic – Bordo Masterclass, Monday 6/12
The master of Croatian animation will talk about his fascinating and long-standing career as a pioneer of illustration, graphic design and animation, as well as the history of the Zagreb School of Animation and its significant and innovative role in the genre.
Kinoclimates Meeting, 5-7/12, Akmi Theater
A conference that began through the collaboration of the Rotterdam International Film Festival and Brussels-based Nova cinema, Kinoclimates focuses on providing an overview of the European independent film exhibition scene and its future.
Greek Cinema Beyond its Borders Panel, Tuesday 7/12
At a critical time for Greek cinema, with local films enjoying success at an international level and in light of the new law on cinema, the TIFF organizes a forum focusing on the contemporary Greek cinematic reality. Participants include Yiorgos Papalios, President of the Greek Film Center, TIFF Director Dimitri Eipides, as well as acclaimed directors such as Yiorgos Lanthimos, Athina Tsangari, Philippos Tsitos and others.
Apichatpong Weerasethakul Masterclass, Wednesday 8/12
The Thai filmmaker, whose work is being presented in a full Retrospective during the 51st TIFF, will discuss his unique body of work and his journey from being an unknown Thai filmmaker to turning into an international art house sensation.
CONCERTS & PARTIES:
Your Hand in Mine
4/12, 20.30, Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art Amphitheater
Innovative pop duo from Thessaloniki Your Hand in Mine, who previously composed and performed music for Mikio Naruse’s Every Night Dreams as part of a 48th TIFF Tribute, will play live from their new album as well as the aforementioned soundtrack (in collaboration with the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art).
Seeland & Mueran Hermanos
5/12, 21.30, Mylos Club
The annual Independence Days event presents a double live, opening with experimental Argentinean/Berliner band Mueran Hermanos and presenting for the first time in Greece, Seeland, an up-and-coming British group influenced by Brian Eno, Kraftwerk and the Beach Boys.
The Burger Project
7/12, 22.00, Warehouse C
The Burger Project is a Greek band from Athens known for its party atmosphere and its inventive and fun remixes and covers from genres such as swing, punk, jazz and disco.
Closing Party
11/12, 23.00, Warehouse C
The 51st TIFF will wrap up with its traditional party in the Festival headquarters.
EXHIBITIONS:
Stills from Unmade Films - Photos by Ismail Necmi
Macedonian Museum Of Contemporary Art, 4 – 12/12 2010
Filmmaker Ismail Necmi is one of the most distinctive artists in underground Turkish photography. His surreal work explores the world of dreams, hidden desires and fantasy that is found in the everyday reality of contemporary Turkey.
Photo Biennale 2010
Thessaloniki Museum of Photography (Warehouse A), 16/11, 2010 – 28/02, 2011
The PhotoBiennale 2010 transformed Thessaloniki and other Greek cities into a unified “Topos” (Greek for place) of encounters and communication, through photographic images, screenings and interactive applications (in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography).
Beyond Dress Codes
Macedonian Museum Of Contemporary Art, 4/ 12, 2010 – 04/01, 2011
Sketches of Greek costumes and headdresses by artist Zissis Papageorgiou are exhibited alongside pieces by Greek and foreign fashion designers (Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and others), in order to develop a dialogue between traditional Greek dress and contemporary fashion (in collaboration with the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art and the Hellenic American Union).
JUST TALKING:
5-11/12, 16.00 to 17.00, Excelsior Room
Held every day from 16.00 to 17.00 at the Excelsior Room of the Electra Palace Hotel, Just Talking is an open discussion in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The event, held in English, brings Greek and international directors together, in order to meet and exchange views on their work and experiences. Directors, journalists and other film professionals form daily groups; the audience of accredited festival attendees can choose to listen or participate while enjoying some wine and coffee. The Just Talking coordinator/moderator is Elena Christopoulou at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Should you need more information or have any comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.
