Embrace a new type of 'open society' film festival.
The Athens Documentary Film Festival is an “open society” festival, dedicated to building a vibrant and tolerant film community, independent from any political agenda.
Celebrating Unique Voices of the World:
At its heart, art is about celebrating the unique voice and message that we each possess. Sometimes loud, often quiet, occasionally bold and brash, and perhaps even shy, that singular voice should speak to others and by doing so, help them to better see themselves. That's why the Athens Documentary Film Festival is open to filmmakers from any culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, and any background. The Athens Documentary Film Festival's ambition is demonstrating the full spectrum of human experience through the medium of film.
As a film festival designed to support filmmakers regardless of their budgets, this underground festival celebrates the best of contemporary independent documentary filmmaking. Its works bridge a wide variety of sub-genre - expository, experimental, poetic, essay, observational, dramatized, animated, based on interviews - documentary films.
Towards a vibrant future:
Once upon a time the beating heart of Ancient Greece, Athens is a city with a rich artistic history. But it is also a capital that, after battling political and financial turmoil for years, is now experiencing a true cultural renaissance. Rumbling with raw energy, Athens' rising arts scene is giving birth to sprawling creative hubs all throughout the city. The Athens Documentary Film Festival aims to honor this by creating a space for new indie film talent.
Doc.World
The Athens Documentary Film Festival has partnered with Doc.World, a global network of Documentary Film Festivals, with festivals in London, Berlin, Ghent, Athens and Boston. As a celebration of the cinematic and visual arts, these documentary festivals will bring diverse international films to our community and showcase the best regional and international filmmakers. Take a look at Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival, Doc.Berlin, Doc.London, Doc.Sydney and Doc.Boston.
Join us in November 2023 with your own documentary work, and embrace a new type of 'open society' film festival.
‘OFF ON’ SELECTION
Next to our physical screenings we’ll also be screening online with the special OFF ON SELECTION. The OFF ON Selection will go online one week prior to the opening of the physical part of the festival and will stay online until the last day of the festival. Viewers will be able to watch, but not download your film. If needed we can geo-block your film to our region.
We’re open to any genre (narrative, web series, made for tv, documentary, experimental …) and especially any duration (which is always an issue for the physical part of the festival). Selected filmmakers will receive all official selection perks (The Tarkovski Grant, The Producer’s Night nomination, …) and are in the running for any of the award titles. When you submit your film for consideration to both a physical section and the Off On Selection it is possible to be selected for both, but this is of course not guaranteed. Filmmakers that submit their film only to any of the other sections (so any other than the Off On Selection) will not be selected for an online screening.
Proud partner of The Bigger Screen
Athens Documentary Film Festival is supported by The Bigger Screen, an organization that aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive.
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Supporting Film Festivals: Film festivals are not only a place to share films, but they are a safe haven for film makers to connect, share, and learn. The Bigger Screens supports and engages with over 25 respected international film festivals from mainstays like the 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brussels Independent Film Festival to emerging events such as the Venice Film Week and The Producer’s Night Los Angeles. These events bring filmmakers and filmgoers together, providing that place to connect and engage in a comfortable setting, away from Hollywood glitz and glamour.
Connecting Cultures Program: Each year, The Bigger Screen selects ten countries and grants filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission.
Local Filmmakers Program: We understand that the cost of making a film can be taxing, so to encourage rising talent, we waive the festival submission fee to local talent. With numerous worldwide locations for festivals, this provides great opportunity for filmmakers around the world to enter the international film scene. This opportunity opens the world of film. Think global, act local, right?
Inclusive Audience Program: Our screenings are always low or even free of charge to provide opportunity for interested film goers to view up and coming, challenging, and inspiring pieces of art, encouraging students, seniors, and those in underprivileged environments to share the experience of film and cinema. We welcome film goers, regardless of income and financial status.
The Tarkovski Grant: All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $250. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length.