Thessaloniki festival industry program expands reach with new series and pitching initiatives

Thanos Stavropoulos took the helm of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s industry arm, Agora, earlier this year. The move caps nearly two decades of service at the Greek event, where Stavropoulos began as a programming assistant. He now leads a program that has operated continuously since its 2005 launch. The festival is set to run from November 5 to November 15.

Stavropoulos said his goal is to maintain the trajectory set by his predecessors. He aims to help local and regional filmmakers bring their projects to global audiences. The program serves as a bridge for professionals seeking to connect with partners across Europe and other regions. This focus on networking remains central to the Agora’s operations.

The event is unfolding amid complex global conditions. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, tensions in the Middle East, and economic unrest in Europe create a challenging backdrop. The film industry faces its own internal pressures, including consolidations at major studios in the United States and Europe. Stavropoulos noted that these factors contribute to a lingering sense of uncertainty for industry professionals.

Despite these headwinds, the Agora team is focusing on building collaborative environments. Stavropoulos described the mission as supporting filmmakers, whether emerging or established, from the countries represented in the program. The organization seeks to provide a platform for these creators to engage with international partners. This approach is designed to help local talents navigate the current market conditions.

The industry program is making structural changes to meet current needs. Conversation series that were previously closed to industry guests will now be open to all festivalgoers. Stavropoulos invited attendees with a curiosity that extends beyond cinema screens to participate. A decompression room, introduced last year to support mental health, will host a new discussion on resolving conflict in creative collaborations.

A major expansion involves the television sector, which has been a dedicated strand since 2022. This year, the TV program spans the entire opening weekend of the festival. It features masterclasses from high-profile creators, including Tom Rob Smith and Christopher Papakaliatis. Sessions will also examine the future of Greek scripted television and methods for packaging local series for international markets.

These initiatives align with a recent international treaty signed earlier this year. The European Convention is the first international treaty supporting independent co-production for television and streaming. Stavropoulos said the Agora wants to help Greek and regional talents benefit from this agreement. The program plans to launch a regional pitching platform for screenwriters and their projects to capitalize on this momentum.

The Agora’s long-running strands for Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean region continue to produce award-winning work. Three films by alumni are shortlisted for the upcoming European Film Awards in Athens. Myrsini Aristidou’s debut, Hold Onto Me, marks the first Cypriot submission for the Oscars. Other projects in the current lineup include works by Darko Lungulov, Nikola Ležaić, and Egyptian filmmakers Ayman El Amir and Nada Riyadh.

Stavropoulos stated that the Agora will grow sustainably without increasing its overall size. The focus is on reaching further into the global market and widening its circle of partners. He described Thessaloniki as a crossroads for the wider region. The program will continue to provide a space for meaningful and productive partnerships among local and regional film professionals.