AGORA Talks & Parallel Events: November 2-6
AGORA Talks & Parallel Events are industry-focused open discussions and presentations aiming to offer best practices and practical information to ΑGORA and Festival accredited guests.
All AGORA Talks are held at the MOMus - Thessaloniki Museum of Photography (Warehouse A, Port).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
15.00 - 16.30 AGORA Series Case Study: Kabul, European series co-production in action
On the occasion of the new drama series Kabul, producers Fabienne Servan-Schreiber (Cinétévé), Matthias Weber (24 25 Films) and executive producer Sandrine Paquot meet with Faye Tsitsipi, Head of Strategic Analysis and Productions at COSMOTE TV, in a discussion about the challenges and opportunities of co-production financing, resources and expertise exchange, as well as the complexities of international collaborations. The upcoming series, which was filmed exclusively in Athens, is based on the true events of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and will premiere in early 2025 on COSMOTE TV. The discussion is moderated by journalist Zac Ntim (Deadline).
Speakers:
Sandrine Paquot, Executive Producer
Fabienne Servan-Schreiber, Producer - Cinétévé
Faye Tsitsipi, Head of Strategic Analysis and Productions - COSMOTE TV
Matthias Weber, Producer - 24 25 Films
Moderator: Zac Ntim, Journalist - Deadline
In partnership with the European Producers Club.
17.00 - 18.30 AGORA Series Talk: IP as a Tool for Fostering Innovation & Social Change
Zac Ntim moderates a discussion between Emilie Blézat and Hyppe Salmi on content creation with social impact, supporting young talents, and developing a youth audience in the series world. During the conversation, the audience will have the opportunity to learn about the groundbreaking program War Room Content, a think tank that serves as a meeting hub for screenwriters, journalists, experts, and other stakeholders for the creation of innovative European series. At the same time, the innovative program Areena Stories will be presented, a mini-series on the Instagram platform produced by young creators, serving as a communication channel with the youth audience.
Intro by:
Anita Pócsová, Program Coordinator Junior - MIDPOINT Institute
Speakers:
Émilie Blézat, CEO, Producer, IP Creator - Dark Riviera
Hyppe Salmi, Executive producer - Yle Drama
Moderator: Zac Ntim, Journalist, Deadline
In partnership with MIDPOINT Institute.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
14.30 - 16.00 AGORA Talk: The Audiovisual Producers' Association of Greece presents
Creative Greece 2.0 Innovating Solutions for Lasting Challenges
Can the Greek film industry leverage 15 years of global success and the cash rebate program for sustainable growth?
Speakers:
Fenia Cossovitsa, Producer/Founder - Blonde Audiovisual Productions, SAPOE President
Konstantinos Kontovrakis, Producer - SAPOE General Secretary
Maria Drandaki, Producer/Founder - Homemade Films, SAPOE Treasurer
Nicholas Alavanos, Producer/CEO - Filmiki, SAPOE Board Member
Walid Said, Portfolio Manager - Head Gear Films
Moderator: Amanda Livanou, Producer/Founder - Neda Film, SAPOE Vice President
In partnership with the Audiovisual Producers' Association of Greece (SAPOE).
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4
15.00 - 16.30 AGORA Talk Bridge to the North: Co-production Opportunities with Sweden
The Bridge to the North is the Festival’s new synergy initiative between the South and the North of Europe. Each year we will be hosting a different guest country from the Baltic or Nordic region. In this edition we welcome Sweden and, in this discussion, we explore new opportunities in financing and artistic ideas. Professionals who have had the opportunity to co-produce with Sweden share their experiences and focus on the prospects and benefits that derive from the collaboration. This is a chance to create a fertile ground for co-productions, partnerships and cultural exchanges with Greece.
Speakers:
Kristina Börjeson, Head of Production - Film i Väst
Zoe Kandyla, Head of Development & Production - Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre
Anna-Maria Kantarius, Producer - Garagefilm
Theo Tsappos, Festival Manager Feature Film, International Department - Swedish Film Institute
Moderator: Maria Drandaki, Producer/Founder - Homemade Films
In partnership with the Swedish Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, the Göteborg Film Festival and the Swedish Embassy in Athens.
17.00 - 18.30 AGORA Talk - Meet the Film Commissions: By your Side Before and After Production, from the North to the South of Europe
The work carried out by film commissions and film offices across Europe is fundamental to the development of the European film industry. This panel is co-organized in collaboration with the Region of Central Macedonia (Film Office-Central Macedonia, Greece), the Hellenic Film Commission and the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN). It gives the floor to representatives from film commissions in Italy, Norway and Greece to present how and what kind of support they provide to producers before (financing, developing, scouting) and after the completion of their productions (festival premiere, film tourism), on both an operational and a policy level. The aim of this panel is to strengthen the relationships between film commissions and producers across the European continent and beyond.
Intro by: Vicky Hatzivasiliou, Vice-Governor of Tourism - Region of Central Macedonia & Leonidas Christopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center - Creative Greece
Speakers:
Martina Lovascio, Film Fund Manager - Apulia Film Commission
Neoklis Mantas, Director of the Hellenic Film Commission - Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center - Creative Greece
Lina Milonaki, Head of Film Office - Central Macedonia
Adrian A. Mitchell, Head of Oslo Film Commission and EUFCN Co-President
Moderator: Venia Vergou, Manager of the EUFCN - European Film Commissions Network
In partnership with the Region of Central Macedonia, Film Office Central Macedonia, Hellenic Film Commission & European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN).
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
15.00 - 16.30 AGORA Talk: The Human Factor
In the world of European film production we often talk about our environment as a “people’s industry”. We discuss the necessity of maintaining good working relations with one another, especially since the co-production model is the prevalent way of making films happen. There is one type of relationship that lies at the very core of any producer’s work, and it is the one between the producer and the director. This panel will examine the importance of the human factor that runs through this key professional relationship, the power relations that exist at its core, its intricacies, boundaries and potential.
Speakers:
Amanda Livanou, Producer/Founder - Neda Film
Vanya Rainova, Producer - Portokal
Ada Solomon, Producer - Hi Film Productions
Moderator: Konstantinos Kontovrakis, Producer
In partnership with the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE).
17.00 - 18.30 AGORA Talk: Navigating the Fine Line
In this day and age, political correctness is an imperative element in most forms of storytelling. The reasons for this are certainly clear and yet the debate is still ongoing. Some voice the concern that PC culture is killing off artistic freedom. Can fair representation and non-discriminatory inclusivity really do that? How much of this is true and how does it affect our industry? In this Talk, we navigate some choppy waters with one thing in mind: respect for all.
Speakers:
Josef Kullengård, Head of Industry - Göteborg Film Festival
Pantelis Panteloglou, Artistic Director - Olympia Film Festival for Children and Young People, President - European Children's Film Association
Apostolia Papaioannou, Director - Mediterranean Film Institute
Moderator: Christopher Vourlias, Journalist - Foreign correspondent at Variety
In partnership with the Mediterranean Film Institute (MFI).
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
17.00 - 18.30 AGORA Talk: A Powerful Perspective
The representation of queer women in cinematic history has left much to be desired. From G.W. Pabst’s Pandora’s Box to Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right and Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite, queer women on the screen have been around for almost 100 years. In the meantime, on-screen queer femininity stereotypes have come and (thankfully some are) gone. What changes are we celebrating, what intentions are we setting, and what horizons are we opening up for our filmmakers and audiences? How can the industry support and contribute to the social impact queer women filmmakers are bringing forth?
Speakers:
Fatih Abay, Diversity and Inclusivity Officer - European Film Academy
Elena Athanasiadou, Producer - Boo Productions
Anna Germanidi, Director of Exhibition & Programming - Modern Films
Krysianna Papadakis, Director, scriptwriter - Pameligo Collective
Moderator: Elena Christopoulou, Film-trained holistic coach
In partnership with Women in Film and Television Greece (WIFT GR).
PARALLEL EVENTS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
@Warehouse C, The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece stand
Meet Creative Greece
Don't miss the opportunity to get acquainted with Creative Greece. From Friday, November 1st to Saturday, November 9th (10.30 - 13.00 and 15.00 - 17.00), the organization’s team will be available daily at Warehouse C to provide comprehensive information about its initiatives, programs and actions, and about the programs powered by Creative Europe, NSRF (Cinedu) and RRF. All the above support the cultural and creative industries.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 13:00
@Warehouse C, Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece stand
Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center-Creative Greece: Goals, challenges and prospects
Presentation by CEO Leonidas Christopoulos of the new organization "Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (HFAC) -Creative Greece", the selective programs, the new improved CRGR financial incentives (FTV, Animate, VGD) and the new goals and development prospects for the creative industries in Greece by supporting domestic and attracting foreign investment in the audiovisual sector, as well as in the cultural and creative sector.
The presentation will be in Greek
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 14.00
EduAct, Tsimiski 136, Thessaloniki
Film Beyond: Presenting New Training Curricula for the Audiovisual Sector in Greece
An action for the development of technical expertise in the audiovisual sector, organized by the non-profit organization YET with the support of the US Embassy. The agenda includes a presentation of the Reel Talent platform, designed to connect students with production companies, and a presentation of two curricula developed within its framework.
Speaker:
Chad Burris, Filmmaker and former director of the New Mexico Media Academy
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 11.00 - 13.00
@Warehouse C, Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center - Creative Greece stand
ESFUF Initiative Informational Meetings
Informational meetings will be held to discuss funding opportunities through the ESFUF initiative, which is dedicated to supporting the Ukrainian film industry in co-productions with professionals from Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the UK. The meetings will be conducted in English and Greek.
