During the 33d Cinema Festival of Thessaloniki and the 1st International one, "New Horizons" presented 45 films. 31 of these were presented as part of the main programme. As an indication we mention: "Benny's Video" by Michael Heinneke, "Bohemian Live" by Aki Kaurismaki, "A Night in the World" by Jim Jarmus, "Sweet Emma, Dear Bebe" by Istvan Zabo, "The Death of a Neapolitan Mathematician" by Mario Martone.

Furthermore, through special features, the festival audience had the opportunity to get to know the work of two great cinema artists: the idiosyncratic Atom Egoyan and the tender Abbas Kiarostami, while also being initiated in the New Russian Cinema.

During the 34th International Film Festival, the main programme of "New Horizons" was called "International Choice". This meant 26 films selected among independent productions. Some of them were: "El Mariachi" by Roberto Rodriguez, "A New Life" by Olivier Asayas, "These Boots" by Aki Kaurismaki, "Abraham's Valley" by Manoel de Oliveira, "Life with an Idiot" by Alexander Rogoskin, "Coffee and Cigarettes" by Jim Jarmous.

The special feature presented a retrospective view on the work of the famous Canadian director David Kronenberg; this stood out as it presented almost all his films-13 in number - as well as Thessaloniki and the Festival secured two world premieres: Kronenberg's last film, "M. Butterfly" and the exhibition of objects, drawings and video clips from his works entitled "The Strange Objects of his Desire"; this was a truly impressive exhibition held at Myow, one of the most spectacular and special happenings of the Festival.

In the same year, "New Horizons" organized a short programme dedicated to the young, talented, yet so far unknown to the Greek audience director, Hal Hartley. There were also two interesting spotlight presentations of cult films and contemporary documentaries.

In the first two years of its operation, the Department of "New Horizons", and its life and soul Dimitris Eipidis, managed to regenerate an enthusiastic audience. The programme of the 3d year, within the framework of the 35th International Film Festival of Thessaloniki, further proved that "New Horizons" are not proposing a marginal cinema but a living piece of cinematography which, despite not submitting to the pressures of the film industry keeps broadening and deepening its contact with the public. "Exotica" by Egoyan, "Through the Olive Trees" by Kiarostami, "Wild Cane" by Tessine, "Against the Grain" ("Close Shave") by Lodge Kerrigan, captivated us during their first Greek appearance in Thessaloniki and their career did not stop there. The same happened with the revelation of director Michael Heinneke whom we got to know that year through three of his films. Once again the Russian cinema made its presence felt with two directors, Nikita Michalkov and Gleb Pamphilov. There were also two short programmes dedicated to Afroamerican cinema with Charles Bernet and after midnight shows with strange, enchanting movies.

However, the informatory part of the Festival had already started to expand its activities beyond the screen; Fine Art and Music events that were in one way or another associated with the cinema have been organized by "New Horizons", firing the imagination of both cinephiles and the general public. Kronenberg was the beginning and in that year the trend continued with an exhibition of collages and constructions by Sergei Paratzanov. The leading Russian director also presented equally important works of Fine Art. In the same year, "New Horizons" invited to Thessaloniki Ingrid Kaven, Reiner Werner Vasbider's muse. The German singer and actress' concert at Mylos was unforgettable for those who experienced its unique atmosphere.

"New Horizons" had its greatest and most versatile film participation in the 36th Festival, celebrating the 100 anniversary of the moving pictures. More than 20 countries were represented in Dimitris Eipidis' department. International Choice presented 16 films, while a new series was introduced featuring "Independent Americans". Across the Atlantic, off-Hollywood productions had already created a strong cinema current. Its first samples had already been presented by "New Horizons" in previous years and it now dedicated a special part of the programme to this smart, contemporary cinema. Little gems like "Smoke" by Wayne Wang and "Ready for Anything" by Gus Van Sand were presented there. "New Horizons" also offered us a panorama of the Iranian cinema and featured famous director Moshem Makhmalbaf, while they successfully continued the after midnight shows of eccentric films. This new cult series is named "Night Shadows" and keeps gaining ground with a broader and loyal audience. During the cinema centenary celebrations "New Horizons" participation included an exhibition dedicated to the father of modern cinema Sergei Eisenstein entitled "Drawings and Objects" that initiated the public into the multi-faceted world of this pioneering intellectual.

Last year was an "exhausting" one for the Festival audience, that had to rush from one show to the next so as not to miss any of the many and interesting films presented by "New Horizons". The new series 3x3 received the direct and warm welcome of the public. "The Prisoner of Caucausus" by Russian Sergei Bodrov deeply moved the audience (nominated for an Oscar) and "Little Kollia" (Oscar for Foreign Language Film) by Czech Jan Sverak was equally touching. The two young directors, unknown in Greece till then, arrived in Thessaloniki and were enraptured by the response of the audience. There were some other extraordinary features by "New Horizons" last year. First of all, we saw "The Soloist" before it started on its way to the Oscar Awards as well as "Petite Ponnette" by Zacque Doiyon; then there were the refreshing presence of "To Have and Not to Have" by Leticia Masson and "Deep Red" by the most important Mexican director Arturo Ripstein. We also put on our special spectacles to experience the three-dimensional mania of the sixties. The 3D series was a great success with both the young and the older members of the audience. The heretic director Peter Greenaway, invited by "N.O.", provoked the public with his views on life and art. We also had the opportunity to experience how the British artist perceives the relation between Fine Art and the Cinema through the exhibition of his paintings, drawings and collages. We finally had a memorable evening at MYLOS, that has become established as a "New Horizon" event spot, submerged in the colours of Gatto Barbieri sounds. The Argentinian composer transported us with his saxophone to a wide musical landscape, magnificent in its jazzy moments and explosive under its Latin influence. The proceeds from the concert were given to orphanages of Thessaloniki.

This year "New Horizons" draw from its five year experience yet maintains its freshness that is their characteristic feature.

They invite you to new discoveries on the screen of contemporary independent cinema productions.