Festival announces award winners

The 32nd Athens International Film Festival concluded its awards ceremony on 10 October at the Olympia Theatre, recognizing outstanding films from Greece and around the world across multiple categories. The event, which ran from 30 September to 11 October, honored films in the International Competition, International Documentary Competition, and Greek Short Stories section with the Golden Athena awards.

Best Film in International Competition

The Golden Athena for Best Film in the International Competition went to Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep by Rakan Mayasi. The jury praised the film for its confident cinematic style, striking visual compositions, and performances that tell a surprising, empathetic, and occasionally humorous story, linking personal experiences with broader global themes.

Best Director in International Competition

The City of Athens Award for Best Director was presented to Marine Atlan for La Gradiva. The jury highlighted the film’s thoughtful exploration of identity and historical continuity, noting its visual approach blends documentary-like warmth with cinematic artistry.

Best Screenplay in International Competition

The Best Screenplay Award in the International Competition went to Ben’Imana by Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo, who also directed the film. The jury commended the screenplay for its sensitive and impartial treatment of a difficult subject, moving between public and private spaces to explore healing after collective trauma.

Special Mention in International Competition

A Special Mention was awarded to Six Months in a Pink and Blue Building by Bruno Santamaría Razo for its unique and effective structure, enhanced by strong performances from its ensemble cast.

Audience Award in International Competition

The Audience Award went to the Chilean political drama The Red Hangar by Juan Pablo Sallato, which received a record 3,000 audience votes, reflecting its popularity with festival attendees.

Best Documentary in International Documentary Competition

In the International Documentary Competition, the Golden Athena for Best Documentary was awarded to Rehearsals for a Revolution by Pegah Ahangarani. The jury praised the film’s use of archival material to connect the director’s personal story with Iran’s history of resistance under decades of oppression.

Special Mentions in International Documentary Competition

Special Mentions in the International Documentary Competition went to Tin Castle by Alexander Murphy for its portrayal of a stigmatized community and NAZA by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, which was recognized for its courageous examination of the mechanisms behind the ongoing Palestinian genocide as described by the jury.

Best Greek Short Film

The Golden Athena for Best Greek Short Film in the Greek Short Stories Competition went to Aftoklitos Fterotos by Vaggelis Panagiotakopoulos and Thanasis Fousekis. The jury praised its originality, authenticity, boldness, and performances, noting it stood out among the competition.

Additional Awards in Greek Short Stories Competition

The film also received the Best Screenplay Award, shared by Panagiotakopoulos, Fousekis, and Antriana Zaxariadou Korovesi, and the Best Male Performance Award for Giorgos Boufidis. The Silver Athena – Special Jury Prize went to Wheel to Live by Vicky Anastasiadou, while the Best Director Award was shared between Alexandra Matheou and Marianna Bozantzoglou.

Special Mentions and Other Awards in Greek Short Stories Competition

Special Mentions in the Greek Short Stories Competition went to Runner by Ermolaos Fotiou and Holes! The Ballad of Boulder Valley by Petros Kalfamanolis, which also received the Onassis Film Award. The Best Female Performance Award was declined by the recipient, whose identity remains undisclosed. The GSC Award for Best Cinematography went to Arsinoi Pilou for Hot Wax by Krysianna B Papadakis.