The Drama International Short Film Festival is one of the most important film institutions in Greece and southeastern Europe, highlighting creativity and innovation in the field of short films. Now in its 48th year, the festival has over the years showcased a number of important contemporary Greek filmmakers, including Yannis Economides, Yorgos Lanthimos, Thanasis Neofotistos, and others.

Recently, the Drama International Short Film Festival has been recognized and certified by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. According to the festival organizers: “The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the world’s leading festivals to collaborate in shaping the final list of short films eligible for the Oscar for Best Short Film. The Academy allows films that win first prize at these festivals to automatically qualify for the category’s selection list, provided they meet the Academy’s specifications. Thus, the two short films that win the Golden Dionysus, i.e. the award for best film in the National Competition, as well as the Grand Prix for best film in the DISFF International Competition every September, will automatically secure the coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscar® process, which could lead them to the final five for the Oscar for Best Short Film.” This is undoubtedly a highlight for the institution, which was launched in 1978 on the initiative of the Drama Film Club.

The city of Drama, with its historical and natural beauty, creates the ideal setting for such a cinematic celebration. Through its picturesque streets and welcoming spaces, Drama bridges tradition with contemporary culture, offering visitors a “living” experience that highlights cinematic events and enhances the artistic ferment of the festival.

In its 48th edition, the festival declared Neritan Zinziria the big winner. His short film Noi won the Golden Dionysus, automatically securing the coveted “ticket” to participate in the Oscar process. The film, set in a mountain village in Metsovo, stars a horse and a boy. When the older brother is killed by his beloved horse, the younger brother must decide—through nightmares and visions—whether to kill the animal or forgive it.

The Tonia Marketaki Award for Best Director went to Kostis Theodosopoulos for his film He Who Once Was. Aris Balis was honored with the award for best male performance in the same film, for his role as a gay vampire in modern Greece. The film also won the Drama Queer award.

The award for Best Actress went to a young girl, Filia Papangelidi, who starred in Mitsi by Gevi Dimitrakopoulou, playing a tomboy who experiences her first period in an unorthodox way, while the award for best screenplay was shared by Yannis Symvonis and the lead actor Giorgos Angelkos for Small Body, a powerful story about the bond between a man and a young boy.

The documentary award went to Requiem in Salt, by Sylvia Nicolaides and Nikolas Iordanou from Cyprus, while the Special Jury Prize, was awarded to Dimitris Papathanasis’s film Chous eis kai eis choun apeleusi.

The Grand Prix of the International Competition was awarded to Correct Me If I’m Wrong by Hao Zhou (Germany, USA), which also automatically enters the Oscar process. It is worth mentioning that a Greek woman, Thelgia Petrakis, who has also won a Golden Dionysus in the past, distinguished herself in the International Competition: her film 400 Cassettes won the award for Best Film in Southeast Europe.

With an eye on promoting today’s “short filmmakers,” many of whom will go on to make feature-length films in the future, the Drama International Short Film Festival serves as an institution that breathes new life and brings fresh ideas to the forefront, shaping the present and future of the domestic and global film scene.

With information from press releases at: https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/closing-disff48/