The Agora Awards of the 67th TIFF

Amidst a warm and festive ambiance, the Agora of the 67th Thessaloniki International Film Festival bestowed its awards at a special event held on Wednesday, November 11th, at Warehouse C. Orestis Andreadakis, the Festival’s Artistic Director, Thanos Stavropoulos, the new Head of the Agora, and Rafaella Karagianni, General Coordinator of the Agora, welcomed the audience and spoke about the six very creative days that had just passed and the projects that were presented, while also thanking the sponsors and partners of the Agora.

CROSSROADS CO-PRODUCTION FORUM AWARDS

This year’s Crossroads Co-production Forum Jury was composed of Ioanna Bolomyti, Producer and Founder of Atalante Productions SA (Greece), Fred Burle, Producer at One Two Films (Germany), Linda Mutawi, Producer at Fikra (Sweden), as well as the ArteKino International Award juror, Remi Burah, CEO of Arte France Cinéma (France).

The FRENEL Post Lab Post-Production Award, which offers image post-production services, was bestowed by producer Alexis Anastasiadis and colorist Dimitris Manousiakis to the project:

They Bloom at Dawn Director: Angela Dimeska, Production: Ognen Antov - Dream Factory, North Macedonia (MIDPOINT Institute project)

Reasoning:

“Life is full of surprises. It's sad, it's traumatic, but it's also beautiful. Like the nature it portrays, these characters will also renew themselves and find ways to support each other even when they can't find the words for it. This is a project that has a strong visual potential and a story that will resonate across borders. In fact, it's a project that wants to break walls both in front of and behind the cameras, led by a director and a producer in sync, who moved us with their perfect pitch. The jury decided unanimously that the FRENEL Post-Production Award goes to They Bloom At Dawn by Angela Dimeska, produced by Ognen Antov”.

The CNC Award - Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée, accompanied by a cash prize of €8,000 for script development, was bestowed by Céline Leclercq, Head of International Co-productions, to the project:

A Pair Of Shoes In The Dark Corner Of The Moon Director: Ayman El Amir, Production: Nada Riyadh - Felucca Films, Egypt

Reasoning:

“We are sold dreams every day: on our screens, in our headlines, in the promises of those in power. But what happens when the dream is all you are given? This is a story about the hunger to be truly seen, a story that made us laugh and then made us think about why we were laughing. With sharp satire and real tenderness, this story looks at a society that sells dreams in place of futures, and at a community that longs above all to be seen. A project with a bold, original voice and a world drawn from deep knowledge of the place and people it portrays. The jury decided that the CNC Award for script development goes to A Pair Of Shoes In The Dark Corner Of The Moon by Ayman El Amir, produced by Nada Riyadh”.

The ArteKino International Award, accompanied by a cash prize of €6,000, was bestowed by ArteKino International Award juror and CEO of Arte France Cinéma, Remi Burah, to the project:

In Those Darkest Nights Director: Gözde Kural, Production: Titus Kreyenberg - unafilm, Türkiye, Germany (Sofia Meetings project)

Reasoning:

“With biting humour and a rare sense of the absurd, the film turns a quarrel over a window and a flag into a portrait of a country where ideology seeps into the most intimate corners of everyday life. We were won over by the clarity of its premise, the boldness of its tone and the singular voice of its director, and we are happy to support it at this early stage of its journey”.

The Finos Film Award, accompanied by a cash prize of €3,000 to a Greek project, was bestowed by Stathis Kamvassinos, Head of Communication and representative of Finos Film, to the project:

Koukitsa Director: Christina Koutsospyrou, Aran Hughes, Production: Jacob Moe - Archipelago Network, Greece

Reasoning:

“Some stories refuse to be buried. They survive through whispers, legends and the fears of those who would rather forget. Rooted in Greek folklore, this project transforms a woman's tragic fate into a haunting exploration of oppression, grief and collective guilt. With its striking visual ambition and bold cinematic language, it promises an atmospheric journey into the darkness of the past. The jury has decided that the Finos Film Award goes to Koukitsa, directed by Christina Koutsospyrou and Aran Hughes, and produced by Jacob Moe”.

The Producers Network – Marché du Film Award, which offers a free accreditation for the next edition of the Marché du Film, was bestowed by Aleksandra Zakharchenko, Head of Industry Programs at the Marché du Film, to producer:

Sarra Ben Hassen producer of the project A Touch of Paradise, Tunisia

Reasoning:

“Behind every bold cinematic vision stands a producer who believes in its potential and has the determination to bring it to life. We wanted to recognise a producer whose work reflects a commitment to distinctive voices, artistic ambition and stories that engage with the world around us. Someone who understands that producing is not only about making films happen, but also about building bridges between people, cultures and creative perspectives. The jury has decided that the Producers Network – Marché du Film Award goes to Sarra Ben Hassen, producer of A Touch of Paradise”.

The MIDPOINT Consulting Award, which offers an in-depth online script consultancy with one of the MIDPOINT Institute experts, was bestowed to the project:

The Arab of Your Dreams Director: Patrick Tass, Production: Annabella Nezri - Kwassa Films, Belgium (Mediterranean Film Institute project)

Reasoning:

“Who decides who we are allowed to be? On screen and off, Arab men have too often been stripped of complexity and agency, reduced to images projected onto them by others. Queer Arab men have been given even less space to claim their own identity outside of objectification. This project confronts those images head-on, exploring masculinity, desire and the gap between fantasy and self, with humour that comes from discomfort and honesty that comes from lived experience. It asks what it means to reclaim your own body and your own story, and it does so with courage and wit. A fearless, personal and timely voice, we believe in-depth script consultancy can help this bold debut find the precise balance its subject demands. The MIDPOINT Consulting Award goes to The Arab of Your Dreams, directed by Patrick Tass and produced by Annabella Nezri”.

Independent Awards:

The Greener Screen Consultancy Award, offering consultation on sustainability practices before and during the film shooting, was bestowed by Basam Alassad, Chief Content Officer, to the film:

This Is Not a Set Director: Yumna Marwan, Production: Rula Nasser - Imaginarium Films, Lebanon, Jordan

The Greener Screen Consultancy Award comes with a prize worth 7,000 euros, including a tailored green production plan for the winning project, virtual training for the project’s eco manager, ongoing support for the eco manager throughout production, as well as optional “Greener Script” consultancy sessions for the screenwriter, director and producer.

Reasoning:

“This Is Not a Set by Yumna Marwan stood out for the team’s genuine commitment to sustainable filmmaking despite the challenges of shooting in Lebanon. During our meeting, they shared questions about creative and practical ideas for greener production, not because it was required or would attract additional funding, but because they believed it was the right thing to do. For me, the connection between the film’s exploration of representation and its impact on communities, and the team’s sense of responsibility toward how it was made, reflects the spirit of the Greener Screen Award”.

The Sofia Meetings Award, which gives the chance to the winning project to take part in the upcoming edition of Sofia Meetings, held in March 2027, was bestowed by Mira Staleva, Head of Sofia Meetings, to the film:

This Is Not a Set Director: Yumna Marwan, Production: Rula Nasser - Imaginarium Films, Lebanon, Jordan

Reasoning: “Filmmaking is a team effort. We are especially happy about this award, which goes to a project that manages to strike a balance between an ambitious undertaking and a harsh reality.”

The Mediterranean Film Institute “George Kalogeropoulos” Award - Script 2 Film Workshop Scholarship was bestowed by Leda Dialyna, Coordinator of the MFI, to two projects of the Crossroads Co-production Forum:

Fuoristagione Director: Isabella Rinaldi, Production: Joana de Freitas Ginori - Ulalà Film & Co., Italy

And

In Those Darkest Nights Director: Gözde Kural, Production: Titus Kreyenberg - unafilm, Türkiye, Germany (Sofia Meetings project)

Reasoning:

“This year, we were impressed by the diversity and creative ambition of the projects presented at Crossroads. So, we have decided to give our award to two projects instead of one. The first project stood out for its sensitivity and distinctive perspective on adolescence, memory and loss. Through an intimate portrait of friendship, it offers a deeply personal and evocative exploration of identity, belonging and the fleeting nature of youth. We are delighted to present our first award to Fuoristagione, by Isabella Rinaldi, produced by Joana de Freitas Ginori. Our second choice reflects a different, yet equally compelling cinematic approach. We were particularly drawn to its bold use of absurdity and dark humour to explore political and social realities. The project approaches questions of freedom, identity and belonging in a way that feels both highly personal and strikingly contemporary. Our second award goes to In Those Darkest Nights, by Gözde Kural, produced by Titus Kreyenberg. We are very happy to welcome both projects to the MFI development program and look forward to accompanying them on their creative journey”.

The THESSALONIKI EAVE Marketing Workshop Scholarship 2027 was bestowed by EAVE Project Manager Sarah Van Den Hoogen to:

Nada Riyadh, producer of the project A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon, Egypt

Reasoning: “We are very happy for AGORA to give the EAVE Marketing Workshop scholarship to Nada Riyadh this year! Nada shows very clear motivation to develop her marketing skills to implement in her current and future projects. This moment in her career as a producer, her drive and spirit are a great fit for this workshop and we are very excited to welcome an Egyptian producer to Luxembourg in 2027. Congratulations, Nada!”

AGORA WORKS IN PROGRESS AWARDS

This year’s AGORA Works in Progress Jury was composed of Maria Drandaki, Producer and Founder of Homemade Films (Greece), Wouter Jansen, Founder and Head of Sales & Acquisitions of Square Eyes (Austria) and Gabriela Trujillo, Programmer at Quinzaine des cinéastes / Directors’ Fortnight - Cannes FF (France).

This year’s awards are:

The Two Thirty-Five (2|35) Award, which offers post-production services to a project, was bestowed by the representative of Two Thirty-Five (2|35), Nikos Moutselos, to the film:

The Crossroad Director: Mari Gulbiani, Production: Kate Kalandarishvili - MIDIFILM, Georgia

Reasoning:

“For its ambition to craft a road movie across arid lands marked by hostility; for its documentary-inspired perspective on the resilience of those women left behind by men, war, and religion; and for its embrace of imagination as their most powerful weapon, the Two Thirty-Five (2|35) Award goes to The Crossroad by Mari Gulbiani”.

The 119 Marvila Studios Award, which offers sound mixing services to a project, was bestowed by sound editor Roland Vajs to the film:

The Law Of The Flies Director: Tunahan Kurt, Production: Zeynep Ekmekci - FARO, Türkiye

Reasoning:

“For the originality of its setting, unfolding against the backdrop of an unfamiliar city; for its portrayal of young characters challenging the unwritten rules of a man's world; for the new horizons it opens up for them; and for its luminous evocation of teenage love, the 119 MARVILA STUDIOS award goes to The Law of the Flies by Tunahan Kurt”.

The AGORA Works in Progress Award by EKKOMED, accompanied by a €3,000 cash prize to a Greek project, was bestowed by the CEO of EKKOMED, Leonidas Christopoulos, to the film:

Mignon Director: Sofia Georgovassili, Production: Antigone Rota, Stelios Cotionis - Foss Productions, Vasilis Chrysanthopoulos - Plays2place, Co-production: Irina Malcea-Candea - Luna Film, Faye Tsitsipi - MagentaTV, Greece, Romania

Reasoning:

“For its lively portrait of youth in the 1990s, and its vibrant depiction, from a female perspective, of the passage from teenage trust to adulthood, from innocence to guilt and liberation, the AGORA WORKS IN PROGRESS AWARD BY EKKOMED goes to Mignon by Sofia Georgovassili”.

The ERT AGORA Works in Progress Award, accompanied by a €2,000 cash prize to a Greek project, was bestowed by Christos Kazantzidis, General Director of ERT3, to the project:

Avanos Director: Panagiotis Charamis, Production: Alexis Tsoukalas - Pan Entertainment, Greece

Reasoning:

“For its energetic reimagining of the Western genre, and for its willingness to confront the legacy of ancestral violence in a debut feature, the ERT AGORA Works in Progress Award goes to Avanos by Panagiotis Charamis”.

The Neaniko Plano Subtitling Award was bestowed by Katerina Zampeli of Neaniko Plano to the project:

Río Masacre Director: Sylvie Weber, Production: Anouk Shad - Ripe GmbH, Co-production: Lukas Rinner - Nabis Filmgroup, Austria

Reasoning:

“For its nuanced portrayal of a bicultural upbringing and the vibrant landscapes it invites us to discover and explore, the Neaniko Plano Subtitling Award goes to Río Masacre by Sylvie Weber”.

Independent Award:

ONASSIS FILM AWARD

The Onassis Film Award – with a cash prize of 10,000 euros – was granted this year to a Greek project participating in the Agora Works in Progress section.

The Onassis Film Award was bestowed by Curatorial Consultant, Vasso Vasilatou and Head of Productions, Vassilis Panagiotakopoulos to the film:

Mignon Director: Sofia Georgovassili, Production: Antigone Rota, Stelios Cotionis - Foss Productions, Vasilis Chrysanthopoulos - Plays2place, Co-production: Irina Malcea-Candea - Luna Film, Faye Tsitsipi - MagentaTV, Greece, Romania

The reasoning of the jury:

“The Onassis Film Award goes to a compelling, sharp story about the end of innocence. A bold film with a suffocating atmosphere, exploring the limits of human endurance, the abuse that fuels closed social systems, the intensity of teenage friendship, the impulse to take risks and the inner strength of the powerless. The award goes to Mignon, directed by Sofia Georgovassili”.

The jury of the Onassis Film Award, under the direction of the Head of Culture and Artistic Director of the Onassis Foundation, Afroditi Panagiotakou, is composed of:

Dimitris Theodoropoulos, Executive Director of the Onassis Foundation

Vasso Vasilatou, Curatorial Consultant

Elizampetta Ilia Georgiadou, Screenwriter

Vassilis Panagiotakopoulos, Producer

AGORA SERIES TALENTS AWARD

Two awards were presented at the newly established Agora Series Talents programme, which is addressed to series screenwriters.

The Crew United Award was presented by Venia Vergou and Iris Asimakopoulou to Selini Papageorgiou, who participated with her project Heavy.

Reasoning: “The Crew United Award goes to a project that explores, with sharp humor and a fresh, pop perspective, how our bodies become battlegrounds for expectations, judgment, and the need for acceptance. A witty and honest take on the pressures we put on ourselves and each other, and the struggle to break free: Heavy, by Selini Papageorgiou.”

The winner receives a 5-year free Premium membership subscription at Crew United, the leading online networking platform connecting audiovisual professionals in Europe.

A new award entry this year is the Heart of the Project Mentoring Award. It was presented by Elena Christopoulou, Workshops and Training Facilitator, to Matina Galatsianou, who participated with her project Ahinos.

Reasoning: “For bridging inner and outer lived experience, and exploring the space between myth and reality, truth and silence, relationships and personal memory, the Heart of the Project award goes to Matina Galatsianou and her project Ahinos.”

The winner receives two mentoring sessions for honing the necessary inner skills to represent her project in her future market/festival endeavours.