Animal

64th TIFF: Greek Premiere

Under the hot Greek sun, the animators at an all-inclusive island resort prepare for the busy touristic season. Kalia is the group leader. As summer intensifies and the work pressure builds up, their nights become violent and Kalia’s struggle is revealed in the darkness. But when the spotlights turn on again, the show must go on.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Sofia Exarchou

Script: Sofia Exarchou

Cinematography: Monika Lenczewska

Editing: Dragos Apetri

Sound: Sebastian Watzinger, Rudolf Gottsberger, Odo Grötschnig, Thomas Pötz Kava

Music: Wolfgang Frisch

Actors: Dimitra Vlagopoulou, Flomaria Papadaki, Ahilleas Hariskos, Voodoo Jürgens, Chronis Barbarian, Ilias Chatzigeorgiou, Danai Petropoulea, Kristof, Elpida Orfanidou, Joanna Toubakari, Fay Tzouma, Nondas Damopoulos, Vangelis Evangelinos

Production: Homemade Films

Producers: Maria Drandaki, Maria Kontogianni

Co-production: Nabis Filmgroup, Digital Cube, Felony, ARS OOD, ERT SA. With the support of: Eurimages - Council of Europe, Media Creative Europe, Greek Film Centre, Austrian Film Institute, Vienna Film Fund, Salzburg City Film Fund, Centrul National al Cinematografiei, Mediacom, Bulgarian Film Center, Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, ΕΚΟΜΕ SA, Region of Crete, Αrctos Films

Co-producers: Lukas Valenta Rinner, Laura Sterian, Stelios Kammitsis, Vicky Miha, Ivan Tonev, Menos Deliotzakis

Costumes: Vassilia Rozana

Sets: Jorien Sont

Make Up: Ioanna Lygizou

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Greece, Austria, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 116'

Distribution in Greece: Weirdwave

Contact: Shellac Films (Egle Cepaite, eagle.cepaite@shellacfilms.com)

Sofia Exarchou

Sofia Exarchou is a Greek film director and screenwriter. In 2014, she was selected for the Sundance Screenwriters & Directors Lab. Park, her debut feature film, was widely acclaimed after its premiere at Toronto IFF and San Sebastian IFF, where it won the New Directors Award. Her sophomore film, Animal, was selected and participated in L’Atelier (Festival de Cannes, 2020). In August 2023, Animal premiered at Locarno IFF, where it won the Award for Best Performance. In October 2023, Animal won Best Film Award (the Vanguard Award) at Vancouver IFF.