The presentation of the projects in the Crossroads Co-Production Forum of the 65th TIFF Agora took place on Monday, November 4th, at Frida Liappa theatre. At this year's 20th anniversary edition of the Crossroads Co-Production Forum, 15 promising film projects from 17 countries of Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean were selected.
Angeliki Vergou, Head of Agora, welcomed the audience: "Welcome to the Agora of the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the projects’ presentations of the Crossroads Co-Production Forum. We are very happy to see you all with us and we hope you enjoy all the projects the teams have prepared for you. We are celebrating 20 years. We celebrate two decades of dedication to uniting the region's film industry and uplifting storytelling and craftsmanship across Southeast Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Looking back over these two decades, we recognise the many challenges we have faced together: economic and health crises, the digital transformation of the landscape, the current humanitarian crisis and we keep track of all news about the results of the U.S. election."
She then made a flashback over the last 20 years of the Agora’s actions: "The Agora has adapted, developed and supported the industry in every change. Yet, as we celebrate, we remain aware of the struggles, injustices and discrimination affecting people’s lives around the world. Our achievements are a testament to the resilience and commitment of the creators, professionals, and partners in this industry. Over the years, Agora has seen rapid changes and has been called upon to face unique challenges in our field, such as the digital transformation and fight for consistent funding in our region. Co-productions proved to be an essential tool for fostering collaborations and bridging gaps. Our industry events, such as the Agora, are here to serve and build a strong film community, to facilitate connections, but also to support stories that cross borders and deepen our understanding of the world we all share", Angeliki Vergou said, before giving the floor to Elise Jalladeau, the general director of the Festival.
"Welcome to our Afora 20! Happy birthday to us, but also to you, because your projects and support are an active part of your success. We thank our partners and volunteers, as well as the Agora team, which is led by Angeliki Vergou with passion. I see old friends here. I want to thank them for their loyalty throughout the years. But I also see many new faces and that makes us very happy and hopeful for the future of our industry and our art. Inclusion and support to new generations of professionals is a very crucial subject and very dear to us, as you might have noticed in our programs. During the Festival we organize Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy, Launchpad and Meet the Future, which I encourage you to participate in. We stand by Greek artists and professionals. In an act of extroversion, we accompany them on training programs, European markets and film premieres. Welcome to our old and new colleagues, and our friends. Enjoy the actions of the Agora!", she said.
Angeliki Vergou then welcomed this year's ambassador of the Agora, the beloved and multi awarded writer Victoria Hislop, who welcomed the audience and thanked the Festival and the Agora team for inviting her to be ambassador: "I want to acknowledge this amazing cross border collaboration taking place in the actions of the Agora. These actions are very appropriate to the city of Thessaloniki, which historically has been the ideal multicultural city. 100 years ago, there was a very balanced population of Muslims, Christian Orthodox and Jews. The horrors of war and politics have changed all that. To see this wonderful place full of so many nationalities and plans for collaboration is really uplifting. Cross border collaboration is the ideal feature for all of us, not only in terms of film but really in terms of world peace. We are facing, as Angeliki Vergou said, a world in terrible turmoil and conflict. Art can overcome all of that, so it's great that we're all here today. All the project ideas I have read in the synopses all deserve to come to the screen. Some made me laugh, others disturbed me, excited me, moved me. So many emotions just in 15 summaries. In short, that is what art can do: it reaches our heart, our emotions. As I was trying to connect myself with you here and the word that is really irrelevant for me is storytelling. I do something very easy with a pen: I put my ideas, my thoughts and my pros down on paper and that's it. Whereas what you all are doing here is something so much more complex. The task of bringing a film on the screen is really a multitasking job. I admire all of you," Victoria Hislop said.
As for her relationship with the city of Thessaloniki, this year's ambassador said: "I love Thessaloniki not only for its multicultural past, but because it is a place full of stories. I have been here about 30 or 40 times, I have lost count. The first time I’ve been to Thessaloniki as a tourist I found something that just grabbed me as a storyteller. So I came back dozens of times to piece together my third novel, and every single time I added a detail. I think that's what storytelling is, maybe it's a bit cliché but it's true: it's like creating a tapestry." Finally, she wished the participants good luck: "I prefer the French form 'bon courage' to the word 'luck', which implies a request, a prayer to the gods and the stars to help you. But the truth is that what we all need is courage for our projects in the 21st century. You are all courageous people, producers and creators. We are all taking steps to an unknown place, but I think the results of all the projects we will see here today will be really joyful and productive for the world's sake. Good luck to everybody and thank you," Victoria Hislop concluded. Then, Angeliki Vergou and Errika Zacharopoulou, partners of the Agora, presented in detail this year's actions of the Agora, the sponsors and the awards, while they also introduced the members of this year's jury. Finally, they gave the floor to Amanda Livanou, producer and founder of Neda Film and Vice President of SAPOE, who coordinated the presentation.
This year's program of the Crossroads Co-Production Forum includes a selection of first and second feature films. At the same time, it supports emerging film talents and established creators, among whom stands out the prolific Romanian director Adrian Sitaru, who will present his new film. At the Crossroads Co-production Forum of the Agora of the 65th TIFF we also meet the second films of talented directors such as Yorgos Gousis, Sonia Lisa Kenterman, Kaltrina Krasniqi, Diego Llorente, Nikola Mijović, Ahu Öztürk and Ahmad Ghossein, as well as the highly anticipated feature debuts of Neritan Zintziria and Thelyia Petrakis. The selected projects hailing from countries including: North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Palestine, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Turkey.
This year's programme was co-curated by an international jury and an esteemed Advisory Committee, featuring industry consultant Thibaut Bracq (France) and producer Rula Nasser (Jordan), who brought their extensive industry experience to the selection process.
This 2024 Crossroads Co-production Forum Jury consists of:
Dora Bouchoucha, Producer, NOMADIS IMAGES – Tunisia, Alfred Deragne, Acquisitions and Co-productions Manager, Indie Sales – France, Konstantina Stavrianou, Producer, Graal Films – Greece, Mathilde Hersant, Head of Finance, ARTE France Cinéma - France
The awards of the Crossroads Co-production Forum are:
The selected projects of the 2024 Crossroads Co-production Forum:
WAKE
Director: Thelyia Petraki, Production: Kostas Tagalakis - Out of the Box Films, Co-production: Iraklis Mavroidis, Nikos Smpiliris - Boo Productions, Greece
THE APPALLING HUMAN VOICE OF THE ANIMALS
Director: Neritan Zinxhiria, Production: Efijeni Kokedhima - Reconstructing Memories, Greece
AFRICAN GREY
Director: Yorgos Goussis, Production: Konstantinos Koukoulis - Plankton, Greece
NEARBY FARAWAY
Director: Sonia Liza Kenterman, Production: Myrto Stathi - Byrd, Executive Producer: Mikis Modiano, Co-production: Alexandra Hoesdorff - Deal Productions, Greece, Germany, Luxembourg
BLEACH
Director: Kaltrina Krasniqi, Production: Ares Shporta - Vera Films, Co-production: Dream Factory Macedonia, Code Blue Production, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro
DYING BIRD
Director: Diego Llorente, Production: Lara González Lobo - Failo Cine, Co-production: Báltico, tarkiofilm, Spain, Uruguay
FOG
Director: Denis Spiridonov, Production: Katia Khazak - Aurora Films, Co-production: Vanya Rainova - Portokal, France, Bulgaria
FOUR FUNERALS AND A WEDDING
Director: Nikola Mijović, Production: Maja Kecojević - Parangal Film, Co-production: Masterfilm, Montenegro, Czech Republic
THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF
Director: Terézia Halamová, Production: Natália Pavlove - Other Stories, Co-production: Guča Films, Czech Republic, Slovakia
THE HUNCHBACK
Director: Ahu Ozturk, Production: Pinar Aydin - Leyla Film, Türkiye
LA YOLI
Director: Sandra Reina, Production: Valérie Delpierre - Inicia Films, Spain
Mediterranean Film Institute project selection
THE PASSPORT
Director: Rakan Mayasi, Production: May Odeh, Zorana Musikic - Mayana Films, Co-production: Abdallah Al Ramahi, Palestine, Germany, Jordan
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUSTING LIFE
Director: Ahmad Ghossein, Production: Georges Schoucair - Abbout Productions, Co-production: Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion, DUOfilm, Lebanon
VIRGIN MARY
Director: Adrian Sitaru, Production: Iriana Adnana - 4 PROOF FILM, Co-production: Damned Films, Romania, France
A WHITE HOUSE
Director: Francesco Romano, Production: Raffaella Pontarelli - Amarena Film, Co-production: Bocalupo Films, Italy, France
Recent Crossroads Co-production Forum alumni projects include: KYUKA - BEFORE SUMMER'S END - Kostis Charamoundanis (Cannes FF - ACID Cannes 2024), THE SUMMER WITH CARMEN - Zacharias Mavroeidis (Venice FF - Giornate degli Autori 2023), BLAGA’S LESSONS - Stephan Komandarev (Karlovy Vary IFF 2023), MEDIUM - Christina Ioakeimidi (Sarajevo FF 2023), INSHALLAH A BOY - Amjad Al Rasheed (Cannes FF - Semaine de la Critique 2023), BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD BLACKBERRY - Elene Naveriani (Cannes FF - Quinzaine des Cinéastes 2023), THE SEA AND ITS WAVES - Liana & Renaud (Cannes FF - ACID Cannes 2023), 20.000 SPECIES OF BEES - Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren (73rd Berlinale International Competition 2023 - Silver Berlin Bear/Best Leading Performance), NIGHTSIREN - Tereza Nvotová (Locarno FF - Cineasti del Presente 2022 - Golden Leopard), HOW IS KATIA? - Christina Tynkevych (Locarno FF - Cineasti del Presente 2022 - Special Jury Prize, Best Actress), THE LAND WITHIN - Fisnik Maxville (Black Nights Tallinn FF - Best Film - Best First Feature) LUZZU - Alex Camilleri (Sundance - World Cinema Dramatic Competition 2021 - Best Actor), ZUHAL - Nazlı Elif Durlu (Black Nights Tallinn FF - International Competition 2021), 200 METERS - Ameen Nayfeh (Venice Days 2020 - People’s Choice Award), GHOSTS - Azra Deniz Okyay (Venice FF International Film Critics Week - Grand Prize), THE FATHER - Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov (Karlovy Vary IFF - International Competition 2019 - Crystal Globe).
