The Thessaloniki Int’l Doc Fest this year adds the Talking Heads masterclass platform to its Agora Talks programme. Talking Heads is designed to “reshape the original form of masterclasses to foster inclusive and safe collective conversations, directly addressing the industry’s needs [where] engaging discussions and diverse voices converge, creating an environment for collaborative exploration and innovation.”
The Agora Talks programme is as follows:
AGORA Workshop – Paths to Funding Your Documentary
- Summary: A comprehensive workshop on documentary funding that provides an overview of the current distribution landscape and the funding models documentary filmmakers can pursue, with a focus on Europe and the US from the perspective of producers and funders. Experts will share case studies of films they have produced, financed and sold, and help to demystify what funders are looking for and how to develop your film’s plan.
- Speakers: Arkaitz Basterra – Member investor’s committee, Moby Dick Film Capital; Caroline Von Kühn- Executive Director, Oxbelly / Director, Faliro House.
- When: Sunday, March 10 | 15.00 – 18.00
- Where: Central Events Hall of the Music Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
Animarchiving Reality: Exploring the Transformative Role of Animation and Unearthed Archives in Documentary Filmmaking
- Summary: Animation and archival footage in documentary filmmaking are well established narrative tools. Used in the right manner, these disciplines convey the truth that a documentary is obliged to present. Therefore, the techniques, forms, and artistic language of expression have evolved and grown in ways that have led to the creation of an entirely different genre. As we look to the future, the evolution of these documentary techniques sparks anticipation. Technological advancements and the ethical use of AI continue to offer new possibilities for animation and archival exploration. The evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking holds the promise of broadening perspectives, offering filmmakers innovative ways to convey truth and evoke emotional responses.
- Speakers: Kesmat Elsayed – Producer, See Media production; Johan Grimonprez – Filmmaker, multimedia artist and curator; Aris Kaplanidis – Director, screenwriter, music producer & freelance illustrator, BrosInArts; Elias Roumeliotis – Director, screenwriter, BrosInArts.
- Moderator: Marineta Mak Kritikou – Animasyros IFF – Agora Coordinator.
- When: Monday, March 11 | 17:00- 18:30
- Where: Central Events Hall of the Music Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
XR Curious
- Summary: XR documentaries constitute a captivating and rapidly evolving genre. A growing community of filmmakers is emerging and traditional storytelling manners are continuously challenged. In this AGORA Talk we will delve into the realm of immersive and interactive documentary filmmaking, focusing on the challenges and processes of production and distribution. We will examine creative decisions, risks, and compromises that creators must navigate in order to realize their envisioned results.
- Speakers: Mario Adamson – Producer, Sisyfos Film Production; Dimitris Delinikolas – Film director, producer, academic; Stella Ntavara – CPH:LAB Project Manager; Sebastian Sorg – Producer, project developer, Sebastian Sorg Creative; Ellen Kuo – Head of XR Market, NewImages Festival;
- Moderator: Karen Cirillo – Cultural producer, non-fiction creator, writer.
- When: Tuesday, March 12 | 15:00- 16:30
- Where: Central Events Hall of the Music Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
Meet the Future Presentation
- Meet this year’s participants; 5 rising documentary talents emerging from the Czech Republic. With the support of the Czech Film Fund and in partnership with East Doc Platform.
- When: Tuesday, March 12 | 17.00 – 18.00.
- Where: Central Events Hall of the Music Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
Talking Heads. Citizen Queer: Moving Beyond Trends and Box Ticking – On & Off the Screen
- Summary: Queer experiences represent a multitude of narratives and perspectives on and off the screen. Their voices in the film industry are not pedagogical tools or checkboxes for diversity, but an authentic reflection of our society and its diverse intersectional identities. They enrich the film landscape with their stories. Representation and inclusion are big words that we like to use, but what does the documentary film industry really look like, and what needs to be done to create spaces where queer filmmakers feel safe to tell their authentic stories?
- Speakers: Fatih Abay – Diversity & Inclusion Officer, European Film Academy; Panayotis Evangelidis – Film director, writer; Gugi Gumilang – Program director, In-Docs & film programmer, Hot Docs; Rico Johnson Sinclair – Skills & Training Director, Warner Bros Discovery, programmer, writer; Iris Zachmanidi – Film director.
- Moderator: Marion Schmidt – Documentary Association of Europe (DAE).
- When: Wednesday, March 13 | 11.00 – 13.00.
- Where: Pavlos Zannas Theatre
The Greek Film Centre launches five new funding programs offered through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0.
- Summary: Presentation by Katerina Grammatikopoulou, Project Manager (Greek language).
- When: Wednesday, March 13 | 13.30 – 14.30.
- Where: Warehouse C, Greek Film Centre stand
We Care a Lot!
- Summary: Women filmmakers in a patriarchal society face unique challenges that permeate both their professional and personal lives. The inherent discrimination and abuse that many women encounter inject their perspectives with a distinct energy, shaped by resilience and determination. Balancing the demands of a project with navigating personal trauma requires a delicate dance, as they strive to protect themselves and their characters while delving into sensitive subjects. The evolving landscape of storytelling has shifted the power dynamics, amplifying the importance of the female experience in filmmaking. As they navigate through traumatic events in both their own lives and those of their subjects, women filmmakers employ various strategies to safeguard their well-being and the integrity of their stories. Shedding light on these often overlooked and silenced experiences is essential, fostering open dialogue and support for those affected, and paving the way for a more inclusive and empathetic industry.
- Speakers: Laura Bari – Film director, producer; Annika Mayer – Film director, producer, editor, Majmun Films; Nina Maria Paschalidou – Film director, producer; Elina Psykou – Film director
- Moderator: Serra Ciliv – Psychotherapist, producer, film curator, associate therapist, Film in Mind.
- When: Wednesday March 13 | 17.00 – 18.30.
- Where: Central Events Hall of the Music Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki
Documentary and Artificial Intelligence: A connection under question
- Summary: Prompted by the avalanching developments related to the AI applications in audiovisual productions, Hellas Doc, is organizing a discussion on the subject in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. (Greek language).
- Speakers: Manolis Andriotakis – Journalist, author; Georgia Koutrika – Research Director at Athena Research Center; Nicole Alexandropoulou – Film director; Victoria Vellopoulou – Film director.
- When: Thursday, March 14 | 11.00 – 13.30.
- Where: John Cassavetes Theatre
