FEATURE
BEST FEATURE FICTION
Orpheus Award Winner: Listen
by Maria Douza
This film sends a message of love and compassion and tolerance. It deals with important issues of the times from the point of view of the new generation that struggles to find its way amidst a desensitized adult world. At the same time, it is a story that is superbly acted, masterfully crafted and, most importantly, made with compassion itself.
BEST FEATURE FICTION
Special Jury Award: IMAN
by Corinna Avraamidou, Kyriacos Tofarides
A film about humanity and controversial matters, extremism, corruption, violence, and at the core of it the lack of love. A well-crafted and directed film that we honor with the Jury Special Award.
BEST FEATURE FICTION
Audience Award: Black Stone
by Spiros Jacovides
BEST DIRECTOR
Orpheus Award Winner: Panos Koutras
for Dodo
The recipient of the Best Director award in the feature film category is no stranger to accolades, deservedly so. An accomplished director, screenwriter, and producer of five films, the first of which became an international cult hit, he has won festival awards throughout his career. We recognize not only the brilliant tragicomic vision of this filmmaker but also his dedication to social justice and advocacy of human rights. It is our honor to give the Best Director for a feature film award to Panos Koutras from Dodo.
BEST DIRECTOR
HONORABLE MENTION: Spiros Jacovides
for Black Stone
We are pleased to give an Honorary Mention to an accomplished writer, director, and producer whose three short films were all festival selections and whose first feature film, made us laugh, cry and everything in between. Honorary Mention for Best Director in a feature film goes to Spiros Jacovides from Black Stone.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Orpheus Award Winner: Efthalia Papacosta
for her role in Listen
This gifted young actress has already garnered over a dozen credits in film and television and has received two nominations and one win at three major Greek film festivals for her stellar performances. Her starring role in this film, showed the full range of her talents; her compassion and her depth are profound and her soulful eyes speak more than words can say. We are pleased to present the award for Best Performance in a feature film to Efthalia Papacosta from LISTEN.
BEST PERFORMANCE
HONORABLE MENTION: Stephanie Atala
for her role in Iman
An accomplished actress singer, and dancer, this performer got her first acting role at 4 years old. Since then, she has starred in various theater productions, television series, short and feature films across Europe, and here in the U.S showing a great versatility across formats and genres. For her heart-wrenching turn as a young Arabic woman in Iman, which screened last night at our festival, we are pleased to give Honorary Mention for Best Performance in a feature film to Stephanie Atala.
DOCUMENTARY
ORPHEUS AWARD WINNER
The Other Half
by Giorgos Moutafis
Migrants and refugees undertake a perilous journey as they cross European borders in their quest for a life of dignity. This documentary, guided by a compassionate lens of photojournalist Giorgos Moutafis, unveils the untold stories of the otherwise lost and marginalized, shedding light on the systemic challenges and human rights violations embedded within the migration crisis. The gripping portrayal compels us to reflect on our responsibility as global citizens and serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of storytelling rooted in our shared humanity. We proudly honor and recognize The Other Half with the award for Best Documentary.
Honorable Mention
Queen of the Deuce
by Valerie Kontakos
In weaving together archival footage, audio recordings, and animation to deliver the raucous, fascinating, and multi-dimensional life story of a singularly badass woman, we applaud this film’s commitment to the art of nonfiction storytelling. Delightful, outrageous, and life-affirming all at once, these filmmakers were able to permeate every frame with the unique humanity of Chelly Wilson. We are thrilled to present a Special Jury Award for Directing to Valerie Kontakos and the team behind Queen of the Deuce.
Audience Award
Venizelos: the Struggle for Asia Minor
by Nikos Dayandas
SHORT FILM
Orpheus Award Winner
Pebble
by Karina Logothetis
Two women in crisis find themselves together in a psychiatrist’s office, each one becoming the other’s savior. This boldly comic film is sensitively directed, with extraordinarily compelling dialogue. The human connection and empathy displayed by both actresses is refreshingly anti-cynical and humanistic. The film elegantly shows how female bonding can be genuinely transformational. We recognize Pebble with the award for Best Short Film.
Honorable Mention
5pm Seaside
by Valentin Stejskal
This film depicts the raw yet therapeutic relationship between two former military comrades who reconnect after many years for one’s birthday. Reminiscent of Patroclus and Achilles, the actors give sublimely subtle and mature performances that demystify the cliches of masculinity. Because this movie stayed with us longest, we give an Honorable Mention to 5pm Seaside.
Special Jury Award
Air Hostess-737
by Thanasis Neofotistos
This film takes flight with Vanina, an air hostess played by the talented Lena Papaligoura, whose inner turbulence parallels that of the aircraft she’s working on. The provocative filming and editing style, which rarely leaves Vanina’s face, is complemented by flawless production design, scoring, and editing. For this reason, we award Air Hostess-737 a Special Jury Award.
Audience Award
Share For Me
by Alexander Georges
ANIMATION
Orpheus Award Winner
My Mother the Sea
Director/animator: Aspasia Kazeli
Serene and fluid like the ocean itself, this beautifully executed film deals with grief and the passing of a loved one. Its wonderfully crafted, surreal animation style brings the viewer along on a very personal journey. The drawings flow into each other gracefully and carry with them a calming, contemplative narrative, further aided by the atmospheric sound design. We are very happy to choose My Mother The Sea for Best Animation.
Honorable Mention
Trojan Horace
by Scott Graham
Inspired by classic cartoons of the past and taking full advantage of fast-paced animation, this movie tells the story of a group of Greek warriors who hide inside a giant wooden horse and try to trick their way through the walls of the great city of Troy. However, they meet their match in an oblivious Trojan guardsman. Told primarily through exaggerated physical comedy and visual jokes, Trojan Horace is Scott Graham’s humorous take on the ancient story.