The 4th Evia Film Project, Thessaloniki Film Festival’s green initiative, is landing on Agia Anna, Edipsos and Limni, from June 17th to June 21st, 2025, with the notion of Greek summer at its thematic core. The Evia Film Project remains geared towards the goal of sustainability and our relation with nature. This year’s edition re-approaches Greek summer in all its aspects: environmental, touristic, cultural, financial, political. We revive and relive Greek summer through its film depictions, but also through our own experiences, contemplating on the essence of Greek summer and how a land such as Northern Evia, in the aftermath of the of the destructions it suffered, can offer a new definition, a new way to enjoy and spend our summer in harmony with our surroundings. The Evia Film Project hosts screenings, talks, workshops and music events, with free admission for the public.
Moreover, it organizes a colloquium on cinema titled “Filming Greek summer”, which will be announced in detail in due time. The Evia Film Project is carried out thanks to the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture.
A poster for the summer
Film director and animator Fokion Xenos is the name behind the poster of the 4th Evia Film Project, featuring a series of summertime images, making a nod to the trademark old-school tourist posters.
In the artist’s own words: “The summer experience cannot be contained in one single image. On the contrary, it’s a compilation of small but intense moments that are mentally knit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Having spent my childhood summers in the island of Evia, in the village of Nea Styra, I know firsthand that the images of a ‘Summer Day’ supersede and complete one another. [...] From the beach towels and the summer fruit to the starry night sky of an open-air cinema, each scene aspires to convey the inherent lightness, nostalgia and simplicity of Greek summer.
Let’s watch the EFP4 spot: https://youtu.be/PV4j6WN1rRM
Networking activities with the local community
This year, for the first time, the Evia Film Project is hosting a series of network activities both prior to the opening and during the 4th edition, for better informing the local society. The presence of the Festival in Northern Evia is broadened and further expanded. For days before the official kick-off of the events, on Friday June 13th, the EFP’s info point “Kyma” will open its doors in Edipsos, while for the first time an info point will also run in Limni. On Saturday June 14th and Sunday 15th, we invite the audience to “Kyma” for a heads-up on the EFP events, a little treat and a carefree chat.
These actions are part of the Festival’s new initiative under the name “Kafeneio” (Traditional Café) that also includes in situ meetings between the Festival’s people and acclaimed film industry professionals in the places that beats the heart of Northern Evia, such as cafés and meeting-working hubs of the region’s residents. This initiative is composed of targeted, organized and brief talks for exchanging views on issues such as sustainability, love for nature and topics of great interest for the local society, both before and during the 4th EFP.
Screenings
A selection of Greek and international films, classics and latest releases, fiction films and documentaries, urge us to rediscover Greek summer in the screenings held in the open-air cinemas Apollon in Edipsos and Elymnion in Limni, as well as in the Fishing Shelter in Agia Anna.
Let’s take a look at the full lineup of films screened at the 4th Evia Film Project with a free admission for the public:
Super Paradise by Steve Krikris (2025)
Over the past 50 years, Mykonos has experienced radical transformations. It was dirt cheap, today it is unaffordable; it was “off-the-beaten-track,” now it is a top destination; it was a symbol of inclusivity, today it is one of exclusivity. How did a tiny island become a melting pot for such divergent experiences? Was it paradise? Is it still?
Animal by Sofia Exarchou (2023)
Under the hot Greek sun, the animators at an all-inclusive island resort prepare for the busy tourist season. Kalia is the group leader. As summer intensifies and the work pressure builds up, their nights become violent and Kalia’s struggle is revealed in the darkness. But when the spotlights turn on again, the show must go on.
Suntan by Argyris Papadimitropoulos (2016)
Kostis is a 42-year-old doctor that finds himself in a tiny island, that is a total bore by winter and a sex crazed cosmopolitan hotspot during summertime. All young Anna has to do is burst into Kostis' clinic with her group of hard partying friends and the good doctor falls hard for her. Kostis will go out of his way to conquer her and impress them, but the more they tease him, the furthest he draws his lines. And too far might be closer than he thought.
Before Midnight by Richard Linklater (2013)
The charismatic Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy return as Jessie and Celine in Before Midnight, the third part of this unique love story. Almost two decades have passed since the two characters first met on the train bound for Vienna, and Jesse and Celine will be forced to face new challenges in their relationship against the backdrop of the magnificent Mani countryside. A summer tour of Messinia, directed by Richard Linklater and produced by Faliro House.
Mamma Mia! by Phyllida Lloyd (2008)
Award-winner Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in this film adaptation of the beloved stage musical featuring the timeless lyrics and melodies of iconic super group ABBA, shot in the Greek island of Skopelos. Streep portrays a strong, independent hotel owner on an idyllic Greek isle who is preparing to host her daughter's wedding. The guests include not only her oldest and dearest friends, but also three men from her past whom her daughter secretly invited because she suspects one might be her father! Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found. Also starring Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, and Amanda Seyfried.
The Big Blue by Luc Besson (1988)
The film that made the Greek island of Amorgos famous, as some of its scenes were shot on the picturesque beach of Agia Anna. The highly fictionalized story is based on the friendship of two divers, Jacques Mayol and Enzo Molinari who have been into freediving since they were young boys, in the late 1950s. Twenty years later, they meet again and find themselves competing for the championship in Taormina. At the same time, a love affair is born between Zach and Johana. The stunning underwater shots and the music by Eric Serra, for which he was awarded a César, create a dreamy setting.
Summer Lovers by Randal Kleiser (1982)
Michael and Cathy, young American lovers, vacation on the picturesque Greek Islands. Michael is soon drawn to exotic, self-sufficient Lina. But instead of challenging the love between Cathy and Michael, Lina's appearance adds to their joy, as the three share an idyllic summer together.
Girls in the Sun by Vasilis Georgiadis (1968)
A shepherd wants to offer some almonds to a beautiful English tourist. She misunderstands his action, gets scared and starts running. He starts running after her and soon finds himself in jail accused of attempted rape. In vain, both the tourist and the shepherd try to convince the police captain that nothing at all happened. Soon, a strange love affair will develop between them, since neither of them speaks the other person's language.
Jenny Jenny by Dinos Dimopoulos (1966)
The film takes place on the Greek island of Spetses, where there is intense political enmity between the local party leader Skoutaris and the shipowner Kassandris. The latter is nominating his nephew, Nikos Mandas, who has been abroad until now, while Skoutaris is passionately supporting Gortsos, who is already ahead. When Skoutaris' daughter realizes her father's financial problems, she will accept Kassandris' proposal for a white marriage with his nephew in exchange for bailing out her father financially. The white wedding, however, will bring unexpected developments.
Closing Ceremony - European Music Day
The closing day of this year’s EFP coincides with the summer solstice and the time-honored European Music Day celebrations. The Evia Film Project has scheduled a series of special events that revolve around both music and cinema. More coming up soon in the detailed press release.
Special Screening
In addition, a special screening of the film L'éclairage revient / Waves of Light, directed by Pantelis Kalogerakis, Michalis Kalogerakis and Panagiotis Andrianos, will be held. Five landmark PPC's steam-electric power plants — in Aliveri, Ptolemaida, Megalopolis, Ladonas, and Lavrion — come alive through music and visuals, within the framework of the Waves of Light online festival, carried out by the Greek National Opera in collaboration with the Public Power Corporation, under the artistic curation of Yorgos Koumendakis. Five artistic teams create site-specific video performances, drawing inspiration for the music and the script from the spaces, the history, and the people who worked there. The first video, titled L'éclairage revient [The Light Returns] was filmed at the Steam-Electric Power Plant of Aliveri. The artists behind it drew inspiration from notes and journals found at the plant, crafting a soundscape where Arthur Rimbaud's poetry interacts with the reflections of those who once worked at Aliveri.
The Evia Film Project is carried out with the backing of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Important is the contribution granted by the MEDIA program, the Ministry of Tourism and ERT Valuable is the support offered by COSMOTE TV, the Festival’s Grand Sponsor, PPC, the Festival’s Strategic Partner, and Fischer, a steady companion of the Festival. The 4th Evia Film Project is actualized in collaboration with the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos, the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna, and the Evia Island Port Authority.
