Film director Gregoris Rentis, winner of the >>Film Forward Silver Alexander at last year’s Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, was assigned with directing the 26th TiDF’s spots.
In the filmmaker’s own words:
“Allow the camera to roll, and life is bound to surprise you. Three narratives unfold, each rooted in the unpredictability of something that surrounds us yet overlooked until it abruptly enters the frame. Disrupting the familiar, these surprises and their initial shock give way to a new reality and, perhaps, mark the beginning of a meaningful dialogue. Coexistence is the central thread connecting these stories - whether in companionship, our relationship with the environment, or within the context of competition. Ultimately, navigating coexistence emerges as a significant challenge of our times. We discover new ways to engage with, acknowledge, and ultimately coexist with what we previously chose to disregard. In the end, what lies beyond the frame is seldom our choice. Everything is laid before us, be it war, human rights, or social inequality.”
Gregoris Rentis graduated from Imperial College London with an MEng in Electrical Engineering and then moved to Los Angeles to earn his MFA in Film Directing from California Institute of the Arts. After his graduation short film Sundown premiered in Rotterdam Film Festival, he went on to direct numerous award-winning commercials and music videos. His first documentary feature Dogwatch, exploring the lives of mercenaries protecting vessels from pirate attacks along the Somali coastline, won the Silver Alexander at the >>Film Forward competition section of the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival and the Best Cinematography Award at DOKER Moscow Documentary Film Festival. Moreover, it was screened in competition in Visions Du Réel, True/False, and Raindance film festivals to high critical acclaim. His next film, titled Sydney Smile Future Perfect, was developed as part of EAVE Producer’s Workshop and was presented at the Crossroads Co-Production Forum of the 64th Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Let’s take a look at the Festival’s spots:
Fireworks
Production Company: Topcut Modiano
Director: Gregoris Rentis
Producer: Nikitas Rafail
DoP: Giannis Georgiou
Production Designer: Konstantinos Skourletis
Production Manager: Giorgos Papadimitriou
Assistant Production Manager: Katerina Seferli
Assistant Producer: Anna Papanikolaou
AD: Akis Theodorozoglou
Casting Director: Ready2Cast
Actors: Iasonas Giannaras, Alexandros Nikolaos Giagkousis
Costume Designer: Anna Zotou, Evelina Darzenta
Assistant Costume Designer: Stamatina Skarou
Make-up: Ioanna Symeonidi
Location Manager: Panagiotis Lazarakos
Production Team: Alexandra Alivizatou, Giorgos Kollaros, Nick Christopoulos, Dimitris Tsantilas, Antonis Doukas, Nick Kyriakou
Props Master: Giannis Georgiou
1st Camera Assistant: Giorgos Maniatis
2nd Camera Assistant: Giorgos Nikolakis
Grip: Kostas Meridis
Gaffer: Stelios Karaiskos
Electrician: Kostas Mamalis
Sound Engineer: Giannis Zervakos
Post Production / Post Production Producer: Antonis Drakoulakos & Lili Triantafilakou
Editor: Tolis Apostolidis
Image Processing: Frameworks, George Papaioannou
Colour Correction: Andrei Gordeev
Sound Design & Mix: Antonis Karagiannis
Music: Argy, Omnya – Aria © & ℗ 2023 Afterlife
Camera Rental: Ilias Ktistakis (White Balance)
Lights Rental: Giorgos Papadimitriou
Birds
Production Company: Topcut Modiano
Director: Gregoris Rentis
Producer: Nikitas Rafail
DoP: Giannis Georgiou
Production Designer: Konstantinos Skourletis
Production Manager: Giorgos Papadimitriou
Assistant Production Manager: Katerina Seferli
Assistant Producer: Anna Papanikolaou
AD: Akis Theodorozoglou
Casting Director: Ready2Cast
Actors: Katerina Louvari Fasoi, Giannis Sarlis, Eleanna Kafkala, Giorgos Kissandrakis
Costume Designer: Anna Zotou, Evelina Darzenta
Assistant Costume Designer: Stamatina Skarou
Hair Stylist: Daniela Bababekova
Make-up: Ioanna Symeonidi
Location Manager: Yota Skouvara
Production Team: Alexandra Alivizatou, Giorgos Kollaros, Nick Christopoulos, Dimitris Tsantilas, Antonis Doukas, Nick Kyriakou
Props Master: Giannis Georgiou
1st Camera Assistant: Giorgos Maniatis
2nd Camera Assistant: Giorgos Nikolakis
Grip: Kostas Meridis
Gaffer: Stelios Karaiskos
Electricians: Kostas Mamalis
Sound Engineer: Giannis Zervakos
Post Production / Post Production Producer: Antonis Drakoulakos & Lili Triantafilakou
Editor: Tolis Apostolidis
CGI: Post Faust, Dina Melinioti, Nikos Danielidis
Image Processing: Giorgos Kourkoulos
Colour Correction: Andrei Gordeev
Sound Design & Mix: Antonis Karagiannis
Music: Argy, Omnya – Aria © & ℗ 2023 Afterlife
Camera Rental: Ilias Ktistakis (White Balance)
Lights Rental: Giorgos Papadimitriou
With the support of Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) and the invaluable contribution of Ms. Anogiati Natassa.
Squash
Production Company: Topcut Modiano
Director: Gregoris Rentis
Producer: Nikitas Rafail
DoP: Giannis Georgiou
Production Designer: Konstantinos Skourletis
Production Manager: Giorgos Papadimitriou
Assistant Production Manager: Katerina Seferli
Assistant Producer: Anna Papanikolaou
AD: Akis Theodorozoglou
Casting Director: Ready2Cast
Actors: Despoina Kontaxi, Theodora Papadopoulou
Costume Designer: Anna Zotou, Evelina Darzenta
Assistant Costume Designer: Stamatina Skarou
Make-up: Ioanna Symeonidi
Location Manager: Panagiotis Lazarakos
Production Team: Alexandra Alivizatou, Giorgos Kollaros, Nick Christopoulos, Dimitris Tsantilas, Antonis Doukas, Nick Kyriakou
Props Master: Giannis Georgiou
1st Camera Assistant: Giorgos Maniatis
2nd Camera Assistant: Giorgos Nikolakis
Gaffer: Stelios Karaiskos
Electrician: Kostas Mamalis
Sound Engineer: Nikos Mpougioukos
Post Production / Post Production Producer: Antonis Drakoulakos & Lili Triantafilakou
Editor: Tolis Apostolidis
Image Processing: Giorgos Giagias
Colour Correction: Andrei Gordeev
Sound Design & Mix: Antonis Karagiannis
Music: Argy, Omnya – Aria © & ℗ 2023 Afterlife
Camera Rental: Ilias Ktistakis (White Balance)
Lights Rental: Giorgos Papadimitriou
