Faced with sudden changes in the economic planning of the NSRF, Athens’ beloved film festival, AIFF, returns for its 31st edition, visibly reduced in terms of the number of films, tributes, and special screening sections, but at the same time featuring glamorous international artists and exclusive premieres.

Although the titles of the opening and closing films of the festival were not announced at the press conference (this information will be posted on its websites shortly), but the general director of AIFF, Tatiana Pappas, called on the state to further strengthen the institution from next year onwards, emphasizing: “Culture is not a luxury. It is part of human existence. It is an element of human coexistence. It is the identity, voice, and soul of a society. Cinema, as a collective art par excellence, is both a mirror and a compass: it helps us understand the world, share experiences, and envision the future.”

In an emotionally charged atmosphere, the festival’s artistic director, Loukas Katsikas, shared with journalists and friends of the festival some of the most important events that can be expected at the 31st edition of the institution. First, the AIFF will present a special tribute ceremony during which Irish Oscar-winning screenwriter-director Neil Jordan (” The Crying Game”) will be honored for his lifetime achievement, and his film “The End of the Affair” (1999) will be screened.

Neil Jordan

In addition, another highlight of the upcoming festival will be the visit to our country of perhaps the best actor of his generation, Daniel Day-Lewis. Eight years ago, during a press conference at an Athens hotel to promote the film “Phantom Thread” (by Paul Thomas Anderson), the great actor expressed his intention to retire from acting. However, the idea of his son and director, Ronan Day Lewis, for a project on the psychological condition of veterans rekindled his interest in exploring yet another role. An actor of the famous Method, a careful and thorough creator of every personality he portrays on the big screen, Daniel Day-Lewis will donate all proceeds from the special screening of “Anemone” (as the highly anticipated film is titled) to the Spastic Protection Society/Open Door. The actor’s personal relationship with the honorary president of the Society, Daphne Oikonomou, is a moving life journey and proves that truly great artists are also people with sensitivity, empathy, and a big heart.

Daniel Day-Lewis, Anemone

Among the major premieres of the Athens festival, which audiences will have the opportunity to watch this October, are a series of films that will also be in contention for the Oscars. Titles such as: “Secret Agent” (by Kleber Mendonça Filho, from Brazil), “No Other Choice” (by Park Chan-wook, from South Korea), “After the Hunt” (by Luca Guadagnino, starring Julia Roberts), the Venice Film Festival award-winning “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” and the documentary by director Sepideh Farsi about Gaza (“Put Your Soul on Hand and Walk“). Among the expected non-competitive screenings is the film that won the Golden Dionysus at the most recent Drama Festival, “Noi” by Neritan Zinziria, a familiar face at the AIFF.

The Voice of Hind Rajab

At the same time, on October 4, Yorgos Mavropsaridis, the most important living Greek cinematographer (nominated for two Oscars for his work on Yorgos Lanthimos’ films, The Favourite and Poor Things) will deliver an all-day masterclass at the Theo Angelopoulos Auditorium of the French Institute in Athens. The interest of the public and professionals has already made the masterclass completely sold out.

Yorgos Mavropsaridis

The anticipation is reaching its peak as the festival organizers are about to reveal the opening and closing films of the 31st AIFF festival, one of the most unique editions of the institution.