For the 13th consecutive year, the Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF) will take place from December 12 to 18, 2024. Hosted at the historic Studio New Star Art Cinema and Blackbox Theater Cinema, the festival will also feature parallel screenings at the Ekpedeftiki Enosi (Syntagma) and Omega Academy (Piraeus). This year's event will showcase 110 feature and short films from 35 countries, including 50 premieres.
"New Directors" will have the opportunity to present their work to the public in a special category established by the festival over the past 12 
years. This year's festival continues its tradition of curating an artistic selection of films that span the entire spectrum of cinematic art, extending its reach across Athens and Piraeus. Viewers will have the chance to enjoy world, European, and Athenian premieres, including films that begin their journey at AIDFF, some that continue their cinematic trajectory, and others that choose to conclude their festival circuit at this event.
We will enjoy the premiere of the feature film End of Trip – Sahara by Antonio Rodríguez Cabal from Spain. Through its lens, the film takes us back to the vibrant 1970s, following two young Spanish adventurers, Javier and Rafa, as they explore the Sahara Desert driven by a hunger for thrilling escapades and the desire for an unforgettable journey.
In its Greek premiere, The Actors by Theodoris Vournas immerses viewers in the story of two actors competing to deliver their best performances. As they improvise to impress the director, they lose sight of the realities of life beyond their art.
The film TAXI by Constantinos Nikiforou, also making its debut, takes us on a ride through the picturesque streets of Cyprus. The taxi driver captivates her passengers with chilling details about her husband’s death. However, by the journey's end, she confronts the inescapable weight of reality.
Finally, the short film The Tooth and the Rock by Kostis Alevizos offers a thought-provoking narrative. Margarita and her father, returning to Pylos, face the town's rapid tourist transformation. Margarita inadvertently reunites her father with his old friends as they reclaim a spot under the plane tree, now occupied by tourists.
The feature-length debut of award-winning Korean director Chanho Lee, Water Lilies, will make its European premiere. The film follows Hyo-won, who dreams of becoming an actress, as she arrives in Seoul after leaving her rural hometown. Alongside Eun-seo, who has dropped out of high school, they find excitement and hope in their visions of the future.
We’ll journey back to the music of the 1980s with the musical documentary Return of the Creeps by Nikos Chantzis. The film explores the origins of Creep Records, born in the neighborhoods of Kypseli, Patissia, and Exarchia in Athens. During its four-year run, Creep Records became a pivotal force in the Greek music scene, representing some of the most significant New Wave, Post-Punk, and Dark Wave bands of the era.
We will get to know the visual artist and educator Theodoros Papagiannis, regarded as one of the world's leading sculptors. His work boasts a vast teaching legacy, numerous state awards—including the prestigious Academy of Athens Award—and hundreds of exhibitions in Greece and abroad. Directed by Nikos Papakostas.
Take a journey through Athens with the film Vakirtzis in Attikon. This documentary offers a glimpse into the work of Giorgos Vakirtzis, who painted the showcase displays of the historic Attikon Cinema on Stadiou Street. The film captures the legacy of a cinema now "dormant," following the devastating fire of February 2012. Directed by Thanasis Papathanasiou, it presents a tribute to an artist and a cinematic landmark in the heart of Athens.
The premiere of the remarkable experimental film The Flow of Shadows promises to captivate audiences. This innovative work showcases a unique type of shadow puppetry performed by Anglo-Peruvian puppeteer José Navarro. Utilizing semi-transparent puppets that both cast shadows and emit light, the film masterfully blends ancient manual techniques with layered digital overlays. The result is a mesmerizing fusion of tradition and modernity. The puppets' construction and the film's direction are crafted by Hing Tsang, adding a distinctive artistic vision to this extraordinary cinematic experience.
Premiere of a film that delves into life and memory. An empty house, memories spanning three generations, and a century of solitude. Old House by Huang Weipeng Huang from China.
An animated biographical film will reveal new details about the fascinating life and exceptional work of the Greek sculptor Yannoulis Chalepas. Directed by Zina Papadopoulou, this feature offers a fresh perspective on his legacy.
The new film The Conversation by Mariia Lapidus from Israel will also make its premiere. This existential exploration delves into the nature of death, transforming it into a deeply personal experience. Can one truly conquer the fear of dying or the loss of a loved one? The film takes us to other dimensions in its quest for understanding.
The outstanding short animation film In Half by Spanish director Jorge Morais Valle will have its Athenian premiere. Through the lens of a child’s imagination, it narrates the journey of a man who must traverse a fantastical universe after falling victim to his fears. In this magical world, he confronts inner demons and past conflicts, seeking solutions for the future and discovering his identity.
Wings, a film addressing "family dysfunction," is the latest work of Fivos Imellos, who previously won an AIDFF award for his film Violetta This time, Fivos Imellos chooses to explore the relationship between a mother and her son, brought to light through an unexpected incident.
The short documentary Ware the Buffalo Roams will make its European premiere, taking us through the music of Terry Buffalo Ware. Starting his musical journey in the 1970s by playing at high school dances in his hometown of Woodward, Oklahoma, Ware gained fame with appearances on The David Letterman Show, the 2005 Grammys, and numerous national stages. This film brings together legendary voices such as Ray Wylie Hubbard, Butch Hancock, and other renowned musicians who share their stories, music, and connections with Ware.
The Polish dance film Historiae vivae explores various forms of expression, from linear drawing to collage and animation, evoking the unique 
atmosphere of silent cinema. Infused with the warmth of body language, it becomes surreal through its black-and-white tones. These "fragments of daily life" invite viewers on a journey through time.
Another premiere is the breathtaking dance film Kingdom by Jagoda Turlik from Poland. It delves into the relationship between Past, Present, and Future—three sequences that define existence. Each stands alone but cannot fully capture the truth without the others. They coexist as a continuum of experiences: the past holds memories and demons, the present demands decisions, and the future remains an enigma.
From Italy comes the striking premiere of Hyper by Alessandro Amaducci. It features a woman dancing and battling against speed, randomness, hidden memories, and an overflow of information. Transformed by artificial intelligence into a hybrid creature of flesh, data, and velocity, the dancer evolves into a "hyper-body," expressing raw emotion through screams and motion.
We will witness the world premiere of the new film Jordan River by director and journalist Thomas Sideris. The story follows Rafik, a young Kurdish refugee separated from his family, wandering through refugee camps and cities under ISIS control along the Jordan River. Through Rafik’s eyes, viewers see the struggles of people who are hunted, frightened, and unable to dream of a better tomorrow.
Simultaneously, the 11th International Ecological and Scientific Panorama will take place, showcasing outstanding films. For the past decade, this Panorama has highlighted films with ecological and scientific themes. The transformation of landscapes is depicted in a magically evocative way. Well-documented facts, statistics, and imagery shed light on the consequences of climate change. A striking example is the premiere of the German film WALD: The Forest by director Christoph Janetzko. It vividly portrays the transformation of landscapes.
As part of the 13th AIDFF, the 2nd International Short and Feature-Length Screenplay Festival will take place, following the great success of its inaugural event.
Three highly engaging Masterclass Workshops will be held during the festival:
Cinematic Acting with director Dimitris Athanitis: This workshop delves into the magical process behind the filming of a movie. It explores the pathways, prerequisites, and techniques that guide an actor to embody their role fully. Participants will discuss how demanding and yet generous cinematic acting can be, offering insights into the art of performance for the screen.
A Retrospective on the Art of Animation: Techniques, Pioneers, and Innovations with Professor Konstantinos Tiligadis, Vice President and Associate Professor at the Department of Audio and Visual Arts, Ionian University. This session traces the evolution of animation, from early traditional 2D methods by pioneers such as Lotte Reiniger and Walt Disney to modern innovations by studios like Disney and Pixar. It will examine how animation has shaped visual storytelling and redefined the audiovisual narrative for cinema and television audiences.
Artificial Intelligence and New Media with visual artist and New Media researcher Dimitris Agathopoulos: This presentation aims to highlight the transition of AI in creative processes, from its analog origins in motion imagery to contemporary techniques. It will explore how AI has transformed the digital art landscape, shaping a significant part of modern New Media art.
The Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF) consistently incorporates thematic and human-centered tributes into its program. Recognized as a significant cultural movement, the festival celebrates individuals in literature and the arts who have made exceptional contributions to Greek and international culture. At the 13th AIDFF, directors Dimos Theos and Vasilis Georgiadis will be honored for their outstanding body of work.
This year's Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF) transcends its traditional festival boundaries, establishing itself as a valuable platform for exploring art and cinema. The films featured this year weave narratives that showcase the depth of human experience with emotional introspection. The diversity of selections highlights the richness and variety of cinematic art. Over its thirteen-year history, the AIDFF has cemented its position as an influential institution, serving as a prominent international stage for showcasing the cinematic works of both Greek and global artists.
The festival continues to inspire and challenge new creators and audiences alike, fostering discussions about the intersections of cinema and art. This year’s films demonstrate the creators’ willingness to present fresh cinematic perspectives, emphasizing art’s power to connect and inspire. The festival nurtures a new generation of creators who approach their craft with open minds and independent visions, free from restrictive boundaries. As digital reality evolves, the festival motivates us to rethink how we use film as a medium and to define the limits of emerging technologies. It emphasizes the need to remain creators, not just passive users, of new media, ensuring that technology complements rather than dictates the creative process. The pursuit of aesthetic excellence remains central to the festival, with independent production continuing to shape the art of cinema.
For a detailed screening program, along with information on the films and directors, you can visit the festival’s official website at www.aidff.com.
Screening Venues for the 13th Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF):
Studio New Star Art Cinema
Location: Sparti & Stavropoulou 33, Plateia Amerikis
BlackBox Theater Cinema
Location: Bousgou 22b, Pedion tou Areos
The AIDFF is supported by:
Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center Creative Greece
Organized by: Kouinta Organization
Tickets Tickets Culture Company/ BlackBox Theater Cinema
Athens International Digital Film Festival www.aidff.com
https://www.instagram.com/aidffestival/