In 1995, when the Thessaloniki International Film Festival inaugurated the BALKAN SURVEY section, the projected films which were produced in countries of this region in turmoil and severe strain, were considered to be small "miracles". Regardless of the shattered environment, war, blood and pain, some neighboring countries succeeded in producing films, an Art that is most difficult and financially dependent, in a desperate and utmost effort of survival and dialogue.

These "miracles" have now reached maturity. Films from the Balkan region are not just samples of Resistance and Expression, in places ravaged by war and destruction. They have succeeded in widening their thematic, their cinematographic writing and their subjects.

The new cinematographic crop from this region confirms a rare diversity in style. It includes comedies full of mockery and with a bitter and striking humor: "The Cashier Wants To Go The Seaside" by Dalibor Matanic, from Croatia, "Sweet Dreams" by Saso Podgorsec, from Slovenia, and "Ode to the Poet" by Martin Srebotnjak from Slovenia. There are also contemporary dramas that relate to the new emerging reality: "Milky Way" by Faruk Sokolovic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, "Natasha" by Ljubica Samarzic from Yugoslavia, or "Away From Home" by Semih Kaplanoglou from Turkey. At the same time, some films reflect upon the dreadful past, such as the shocking "Afternoon Of A Torturer" by Lucien Pintillie from Romania. Experienced and established directors, such as Goran Paskaljevic, from Yugoslavia with his film "How Harry Became A Tree" and Milsho Manchevski from FYROM with his film "Dust" attempt to reach an international audience. Albania's contribution is emerging and gets awarded in Film Festivals, such as Venice's Mostra and Tokyo Film Festival with Gjergji Xhuvani "Slogans". Bulgaria's film production that was mighty in the past, resurrects, nowadays, slowly but steadily, with the typical example of "Letter to America" by Iglika Triffonova.

The films included in this year's program of the BALKAN SURVEY section- are mostly international co-productions which have marked a satisfactory course in International Festivals.

Moreover, five more films produced in Balkan countries, representative work samples of new cinematographers, will be part of the Festival's International Competition program. The Balkan neighbors seem to overcome very quickly, productively and creatively their serious traumas, redefining their relation with the past and searching for their present and future. The International Thessaloniki Film Festival - is once again a hospitable place that provides room for the exposure of their work subjects and their achievements.