Dimitri Eipides named director of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Dimitris Eipides is the new director of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), appointed by Greek minister of culture Pavlos Geroulanos, following the resignation of previous Festival Director, Despina Mouzaki.
Eipides’ first step as TIFF director is to change this year’s event dates to a December 3-11 slot as additional time for the Festival preparations will be necessary, a move already approved by FIAPF. Certain to remain for this year are core sections of the Festival, such as the International Competition section (reserved to first and second films), the Independence Days and Balkan Survey sections, as well as industry initiatives such as the Balkan Fund and the Crossroads co-production event.
Dimitri Eipides has long been a member of the TIFF, which he has served in various significant positions for the past 17 years. In 1993 he introduced the New Horizons section, which became a significant and much-loved component of the Festival. In 1999 he founded the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival - Images of the 21st Century (TDF), quickly to become one of the top documentary festivals in the world; he will also remain helmer of the TDF.
Eipides was born in Athens. He studied English Literature and Theatre at the University of San Francisco, and Stage Direction at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and the London School of Film. In 1971 he founded with Claude Chamberlain the Montreal Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, of which he was director for the next 14 years. From 1988 until today, Eipides has worked as senior international programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival, while since 1995 he has been the program director of the Reykjavik International Film Festival. In 1999 he was presented by FIPRESCI with an honorary award for the quality and originality of the New Horizons section and in 1993, the Iranian Minister of Culture honored him in recognition of his role in the promotion of Iranian cinema internationally.