Given the latest developments on the pandemic front, the 61^st Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) will take place entirely online from 5-15 November. In a further development to the alternative scenario that the festival had already envisaged, more than 170 films from across the world will be available to viewers in Greece. Also, the online screenings will be increased by 40% so more people will have access to them.

Despite this latest change, support for the local film community remains a priority for the festival, and the Agora industry section, which is also happening online (see the news), has already launched a series of actions. More specifically, this year, the successful “Meet the Future” programme will focus on eight emerging cinematographers on Greek films, while the Thessaloniki-Locarno Industry Academy is also dedicated to film professionals living and working in Greece. Furthermore, the number of Greek projects in the Crossroads Co-Production Forum is being increased (see the news), and for projects that are in the editing phase, the Agora Lab workshop is being introduced (see the news). Also, two new awards for Greek projects – one for Crossroads and one for Works in Progress and Agora Lab – are being introduced.

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In collaboration with Europa Cinemas, the Audience Development & Innovation Online Lab is also being introduced, aiming to offer ideas and solutions for this new era and for re-designing the cinema experience. The festival is also strengthening its collaboration with the Drama International Short Film Festival, and its award-winning short films will be screened at the Agora Film Market. The Directors’ Corner will also be introduced, and it will consist of a daily online meeting that will bring together directors from across the world.

In the festival programme, three (instead of two) Greek films are participating in the Meet the Neighbors competition section. Also, the festival will give a screening fee to all of the Greek films that are selected for its programmes. As an additional measure, €3,000 are being offered to debut or sophomore films that are now travelling abroad and being screened at major international film festivals, with the most recent example being Apples [+leggi anche:
recensione
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intervista: Christos Nikou
scheda film] by Christos Nikou, which premiered in Venice’s Orizzonti and which will also be partaking in Thessaloniki’s International Competition.

The TIFF is continuing its collaboration with Cinando, and the films will be available to industry professionals from across the globe via its platform.