Neil Jordan Honorary Award Ceremony

Many of us — and you — have grown up with his films. Through the worlds he creates, worlds of “Gods and Monsters”, he opened the door to cinema and to his magnificent storytelling.

With great emotion, pride, and gratitude, we welcomed the distinguished Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan to the 31st Athens International Film Festival.

Before the screening of his masterpiece “The End of the Affair”, the Artistic Director of Athens International Film Festival Loukas Katsikas, the Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, and Her Excellency Ciara O’Floinn, Ambassador of Ireland, welcomed the filmmaker and the audience, and spoke about the breadth of his work and his contribution to Irish and international cinema.

Neil Jordan received his award and warmly greeted the audience, saying: “I’m so grateful for what I’ve heard — I had no idea that people liked me that much. In fact, yesterday my producer Stephen Woolley — who is here at the Festival as President of the International Competition Jury — told me that the country where The End of the Affair was most successful at the box office was Greece. And in the film, it rains all the time! Thank you very much to Athens, the Mayor, the Festival, and all of you.”

Warm thanks to the Embassy of Ireland for their generous support.

Special thanks to Lexus Greece for the transportation of our guests, and to Jameson, event sponsor, for the delightful cocktails.

The honorary award was designed by ZOLOTAS jewelry.