The Greece International Film Festival (GIFF) is set to make its triumphant return to the Greek capital for the fifth consecutive year, bringing a rich selection of films from Greece and around the globe.
Scheduled for March 29 and 30, the festival will take place at the neoclassical and historic “Irida” venue (Akadimias 55) in central Athens, hosted by the Cinema Department of POFPA.
Audiences will be treated to a diverse lineup featuring fiction films, documentaries, animations, and music videos. A total of 29 films from 20 countries will be showcased, with many having already earned accolades at major international festivals. Additionally, the program includes three feature-length screenplays, two short film scripts, and two theatrical plays.
Among the highlights are films that have been nominated for Oscars and BAFTAs, as well as award-winning works from the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. The event will also feature world, European, and Greek premieres, culminating in an awards ceremony on Sunday, March 30, where prizes, including the coveted Audience Award, will be presented. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite films throughout the festival.
The jury, composed of 19 distinguished figures from 17 countries, will judge 10 competitive categories. Notable honorary members include Greek cinematographer and director of photography Giorgos Arvanitis and film critic Elie Castiel. A special focus of this year’s GIFF is its Competitive Section for Films and Screenplays, which aims to support emerging artists in finding their audience.
The festival places a stronger-than-ever emphasis on supporting Greek producers and directors—both from Greece and the diaspora—as well as professionals and students. The program features an impressive roster of filmmakers and actors, including directors such as Eva Nathena, Tommy King, Liza Themeli, Kostis Alevizos, Angeliki Pardalidou, Foivos Kontogiannis, Charis Georgiadis, Spyros Pantazis, Achilleas Tsoutsis, Nikolas Koskinas, Giorgos Delis, Mary Gogoli, Petros Tserpelis, Alexandros Kouros, Danny Koumiotis, Jorge Morais Valle, Olga Dymskaya, Pascale Mopmez, Erenik Beqiri, Christofer Nilsson, Thomas Dahirel, Michael Maurissens, Alexandre Athané, Nikita Kvasnikov, Sohaib Ilyas, Maité Lonne, Gaël Maleux, Marco Carmel, Ven Jemersic, Jos Azuela, and Isaiah Wilson.
On March 29, the feature film Sgt. Fruit Fly, directed by Tommy King, will be screened, with many of its crew members attending and visiting Greece for the first time. The following day, March 30, the feature film Φόνισσα (The Murderess), directed by Eva Nathena, will be presented, followed by an open discussion with the director and crew.
Filmmakers in attendance will participate in Q&A sessions after their screenings, offering audiences a chance to engage directly with the creators. The festival kicks off on Saturday, March 29, at 5:00 p.m. and will run until 11:30 p.m. on both days. The venue is accessible to people with disabilities and open to all social groups, with free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
For Greek film enthusiasts abroad, the 5th GIFF promises to be a vibrant celebration of cinema, bridging local talent with the international stage.