AGORA Series: November 1-2, 2025
AGORA Series, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s forum for series production in Greece and the broader Eastern Εuropean and Mediterranean regions returns with a two-day program, on Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2, 2025.
AGORA Series 2025 embraces creators. It invites them, along with broadcasters, producers and audiovisual professionals in the field of series production for TV and streaming platforms, to attend a program of masterclasses, insightful talks on trend topics of the audiovisual industry, and case study presentations.
This year, AGORA Series proudly introduces AGORA Series Talents, a new development and networking initiative designed to support both emerging and established screenwriters based in Greece.
AGORA Series forges the perfect networking environment to create a fertile ground for creative connectivity and new synergy opportunities between creators and executives in the local and regional series production world.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
09.00 - 10.30 AGORA Series Breakfast Meetings
@ Green Room, 1st floor Olympion complex
Entry only to accredited guests upon online registration. Limited capacity up to 20 participants.
Presenters:
Dennis Ruh, Film and Media Industry Director - Seriesly Berlin
Alex Traila, Programme Manager - Council of Europe Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions (Eurimages)
Alexandra Gabrižová, Program Coordinator & Consultant, Series - MIDPOINT Institute
Katerina Kazi, Head, Department of International Investment Schemes - Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre S.A. (H.F.A.C)
12.00 - 13.30 AGORA Series Case Study - The Great Chimera, European series co-production in action
@ Music Centre of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
On the occasion of the new drama series The Great Chimera, we engage in a discussion about the challenges and opportunities of co-production financing, resources and expertise exchange, as well as the complexities of international collaborations. The upcoming series, which was filmed in Greece and Italy, is an adaptation of M. Karagatsis’ book of the same title, one of the most important Greek novels of the 20th century. The series will premiere on ERT.
Speakers:
Pier Giorgio Bellocchio, Producer - Mompracem
Stelios Cotionis, Producer - Foss Productions
Ferdinand Dohna, Head of Content and Co-production - Beta Film
Maria Kozakou, Program General Manager - Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT)
Moderator: Poly Lykourgou, Film critic - Flix.gr, Nova
16.30 - 18.00 AGORA Series Talents - Meet the Industry Presentation
@ Music Centre of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
The AGORA Series proudly presents Agora Series Talents, a new pilot initiative designed to support both emerging and established screenwriters of TV series based in Greece.
This year’s Agora Series Talents participants are Margarita Gerogianni, Stella Kavallieratou, Anna Maria Lagortsi, Christina Mitropoulou, Manos Papaioannou, and Katerina Papanastasatou under the guidance of Dutch producer and creator Fleur Winters.
The six talented screenwriters introduce themselves and present the original series projects they are currently developing.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
09.00 - 10.30 AGORA Series Breakfast Meetings
@ Green Room, 1st floor Olympion Complex
Presenters:
Anna Kasimati, Head of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Greece
Solène Moreau, International Workshops Manager - Series Mania Institute
Dimitris Emmanoulides, Head of Content & Leda Dialyna, MFI Coordinator - Mediterranean Film Institute
Stathis Kalogeropoulos, Officer - Athens Film Office / The Owl
Gerhard Maier, Artistic Director - Seriencamp UG
11.00 - 12.30 AGORA Series Masterclass - From page to screen: Saverio Costanzo on making My Brilliant Friend
@ Pavlos Zannas Theater, 5th floor Olympion complex
Saverio Costanzo, Writer, Director
Moderation: Poly Lykourgou, Film critic - Flix.gr, Nova
Acclaimed Italian filmmaker Saverio Costanzo leads an in-depth masterclass exploring his creative process as director and screenwriter of My Brilliant Friend, HBO and Rai’s internationally celebrated adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel of the same name. Costanzo will discuss the artistic challenges of bringing a richly layered literary world to the screen and of building a compelling television narrative. The session, moderated by Poly Lykourgou, offers an insightful conversation into the creator’s approach to adaptation, collaboration and storytelling on an epic scale.
Free entrance by order of priority.
15.30 - 16.30 AGORA Series Talk - IP: Where do ideas come from?
@ Music Centre of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
The session explores how ideas spark, spread and ultimately drive social change. From producing the hit series Adolescence to the impact of gaming storytelling, innovators in the audiovisual and publishing sectors reflect on how intellectual property can fuel dialogue, cultural exchange and new ways of thinking. By examining original IP and adaptations, development, international collaboration and transmedia storytelling, the panel highlights how creators can shape narratives that influence society.
Speakers:
Alisha Hasan, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer - Helsinki Film Lab (Gaming and Transmedia Lab)
Niall Shamma, C.O.O / C.F.O - Warp Films
Niki Théron, Senior Manager International Projects & Film - Frankfurter Buchmesse GmbH
Maria Chiara Ventura, Development Supervisor - Our Films
Moderation: Iosifina Grivea, Journalist - 24media.gr
17.00 - 18.30 Quick Fix or Long Game: Rethinking the Film - TV Relationship
@ Music Centre of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
This discussion wishes to explore how streamers and broadcasters can transition away from past business models to embrace independent film and TV as meaningful, long-term investments to everyone’s benefit. The panel brings together industry voices to discuss new frameworks of collaboration, sustainable financing, and the massive cultural impact of treating premium content as more than just filler.
Speakers:
Peter Carlton, Senior Executive Producer & Company Director - Warp Films
Maria Kozakou, Program General Manager - Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT)
Ypatia Kladoucha, Senior Programme Executive - ALPHA TV
Dionyssis Samiotis, Productions General Manager - Tanweer
Kostas Sousoulas, Chief Content Officer - MEGA TV
Faye Tsitsipi, Deputy Director Content Management - COSMOTE TV/ COSMOTE TELEKOM
Moderation: Nicholas Alavanos, CEO - Filmiki Productions & Board Member - Greek Producers Association (SAPOE)
In partnership with Greek Producers Association (SAPOE)
