2023 a year in review or else 12 months full of Athens International Film Festival (and cinema)
As we bid farewell to the past year, let's take a brief look back at the highlights of the actions and events of the Athens International Film Festival, which offered more than 200 screenings, including some of the most anticipated films of the year and legendary beloved movies to more than 80,000 viewers.
We promise that in 2024, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we will continue to support and celebrate great cinema in its natural space, the indoor and outdoor movie theaters, and the magic of the big screen.
January 2023
Jeanne Dielman, directed by Chantal Akerman, 3 sold-out screenings at ASTOR cinema with the #1 film of all time according to a Sight & Sound poll.
February 2023
From Fassbinder to Scorsese! A tribute to Michael Balhaus.
An extraordinary evening in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Athens, dedicated to Michael Balhaus, one of the greatest and most influential cinematographers, screening two legendary films: the rare “Martha”, which he considers his best work alongside Fassbinder, and “After Hours”, the remarkable beginning of his long collaboration with Scorsese.
March 2023
Savage Nights by Cyril Collard.
The Athens International Film Festival and the 23rd Festival du Film Francophone in Greece collaborated on an unforgettable anniversary screening: 30 years after its nationwide premiere in Greece, its turbulent release around the whole worls and the premature death of the screenwriter, director and leading actor, one of the greatest queer films of all time was shown for one and only evening in Athens on 35mm film.
April 2023
“Raging Bull”, “Heat” and “Bram Stoker's Dracula”: Three sold-out screenings at IDEAL cinema.
Athens International Film Festival presented the 4K digitally restored "Raging Bull" for a unique screening in Greece, the nationwide first screening of the 4K Director's Definitive Edition of "Heat," and Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" in the stunning 30th Anniversary Restoration in three sold-out screenings aiming to support IDEAL cinema.
June 2023
Greek Short Stories: Local Heroes at the PIOP Museums.
The Athens International Film Festival, in collaboration with the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation (PIOP), presented the "Greek Short Stories: Local Heroes" program in June and July at three PIOP Museums.
June - September 2023
13th Athens Open Air Film Festival
* 4 months of screenings
* 22 screenings in Athens, Serifos, and Mykonos
* +10,000 viewers
* Nationwide screening of this year's Palm d' Or winner with the glamorous premiere of "Anatomy of a Fall" by Justine Triet.
September - October 2023
29th Athens International Film Festival
Nationwide premiere of Woody Allen's new film "Coup de Chance" in the presence of the great American director at a pre-festival screening.
• +55,000 viewers
• 3 Sections In Competition (2 International, 1 National)
• 3 Juries and 15 Awards
• 160 films
• 80 Greek premieres
• 13 days of screenings in 8 venues
• 31 international guests
• 11 parallel events and parties
December 2023
"The Zone of Interest": The best film of the year in a special screening-event at the Bageion Hotel.
The nationwide premiere of Jonathan Glazer's much-anticipated film in a historically and architecturally significant monument in the city which was transformed into a cinematic installation for one unique evening to host the screening.
The Last Picture Show: 8 sold-out emotional, farewell screenings of legendary films at IDEAL cinema.
We bid farewell to our beloved movie theater just before its planned closure at the end of the year, without ever ceasing to emphasize the need for the rescue, preservation, and reopening of all historic cinemas in the center of Athens.
SEVEN (Digital Restoration) by David Fincher
GOODFELLAS (4K Restoration) by Martin Scorsese
EYES WIDE SHUT (Digital Restoration) by Stanley Kubrick
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (30th Anniversary 4K Restoration) by Jonathan Demme
DIE HARD (4K Restoration) by John McTiernan (in collaboration with MIDNIGHT EXPRESS)
PULP FICTION (4K Restoration) by Quentin Tarantino
PREDATOR (4K Restoration) by John McTiernan (in collaboration with MIDNIGHT EXPRESS)
Thank you for the love and faith!
See you next year in the lights of the big screen.
