The 9th Beyond Borders Festival launched with a grand opening on Sunday, August 25

9th BEYOND BORDERS / Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival

August 25 - September 1, 2024

The 9th Beyond Borders Festival launched with a grand opening on Sunday, August 25, in Kastellorizo!

With a large crowd, enthusiasm, and joy, this year's 9th Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival of Kastellorizo commenced. In the packed Memorial Statue Square of the beautiful island, visitors from Greece and abroad, locals of all ages, and guests from the global film industry enjoyed the official festival opening, the moving opening film, and celebrated until late with beloved songs. All speakers emphasized the importance of preserving human values and relationships, and the need for cooperation and fostering hope through the art of cinema.

The strategic partner of Beyond Borders is PPC (Public Power Corporation), the leading energy company in Southeastern Europe, which actively supports the arts and culture. As an integral part of the country's social and economic fabric, PPC strengthens the dialogue with culture and art, supporting all that leads us to a better future where culture takes center stage.

Welcoming everyone to the 9th edition of the festival, the festival's artistic director, Irini Sarioglou, explained that Kastellorizo was chosen as the festival's location because it embodies the characteristics of Greek culture, spirit, and way of life. It cares for the community and the common good, sharing without egocentrism or narcissism. This sense of care is something that Beyond Borders aims to reflect in our memory and behavior, with a focus on the value and cultivation of humanity, said Ms. Sarioglou, concluding with a reference to George Seferis’ Nobel Prize acceptance speech in Stockholm, which spoke of the search for humanity in a world that is increasingly narrowing, where the only solution to every problem is the human being.

Michel Noll, founder of Ecrans des Mondes and artistic advisor & Director of International Development for Beyond Borders, stated that our planet is burning; we face very serious sociopolitical and environmental problems, violence, and wars, but documentaries serve as a tool, a weapon to create hope for a better world. No country can overcome such large, global issues alone; we need to unite, collaborate, and fight for solutions. Our job as filmmakers is to look deeper than mainstream media at the historical roots, causes, and solutions, Mr. Noll said. The filmmakers whose works will be shown at the festival have worked hard for months and years to bring their films to this point and inspire their audiences. "Some fuel wars; we have the privilege of fueling hope because there are means to solve these problems," Noll concluded. It is noted that Michel Noll founded GrecDoc six years ago, which brings Greek documentaries to Paris every year and has recently expanded to other cities such as Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and Rennes.

In her address, Maira Mirogianni, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the Prime Minister, emphasized the significance of documentary filmmaking and the established Beyond Borders Festival. She also highlighted the strong historical and diaspora ties with Australia, this year's Honored Country, which is home to one of the largest Greek communities worldwide, where Kastellorizians hold a special place.

The General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy instituted the "Odysseus" Special Award in 2020, which is presented to creators from the Greek diaspora, aiming to showcase the work of diaspora creators excelling in audiovisual production abroad.

Alison Duncan, Australia's Ambassador to Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria, also spoke about the enduring bonds with Australia. She noted that 80,000 Kastellorizians immigrated to Australia and continue to maintain their connection with "this small paradise, Kastellorizo." This is why the embassy has supported the festival since its early years. Ambassador Duncan described the festival as a "best practice" for bold documentaries that offer a broader perspective and shed light on lesser-known aspects of history, providing a platform for passionate creators and facilitating networking among people. She expressed her delight that Australia is this year's Honored Country, mentioning the eight Australian documentaries featured in various sections, the participation of Mitzi Goldman and Penelope McDonald on the juries, the presence of Australian filmmakers, and the important Australian film school that is participating in the Film Schools Network for the first time.

The Mayor of Megisti, Nikolaos Asvestis, was present at the opening ceremony. In his speech, Stratos Amygdalos, Deputy Mayor for Culture, spoke about Kastellorizo, its historic maritime power, and its effort to "rise from the ashes," as well as its global prestige as a significant reference point for Greece and Europe, with all the responsibilities that come with it for the island's people. The island offers fertile ground for hosting the major cultural event, Beyond Borders, which is enriched every year with new initiatives and activities, and we look forward to a very successful continuation, Mr. Amygdalos emphasized.

Elena Christopoulou, Head of Public Relations and Communications at PPC Group, the festival's strategic partner, expressed her enthusiasm for PPC's active participation through supporting the festival's "amazing films and multifaceted activities." "Cinema is an open window to different worlds, and Kastellorizo, as Greece's southeasternmost point, is an ideal meeting place for documentaries and history, making all of us fellow travelers on a great cinematic journey," Mrs. Christopoulou remarked.

The festival also highlighted this year's enhanced awards, further supported by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust, bringing the total prize amount to €27,500. Eleven awards are presented in the two competition sections: The Gold (Grand Prix) and Silver Wreaths of Megisti (€10,000 and €5,000 respectively) sponsored by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust, and the Bronze Wreath of Megisti (€3,000) sponsored by ERT, for the best film addressing historical events and personalities, current socio-political issues, and the promotion of human rights in any form and manner. The Best Greek Documentary Award (€2,000) is co-funded by ERT and the Greek Film Center for the best documentary by a Greek director. The Special Mediterranean Friendship Award (€500), sponsored by EKOME, goes to the best documentary promoting shared values and peaceful dialogue among the peoples of the Mediterranean. The "Odysseus" Award (€2,000), initiated and supported by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy and sponsored by Lady Marina Marks and Alex Sakalis, is awarded to the best documentary by a Greek diaspora director. The #ThisisEU Award (€1,000, sponsored by ERT) from the European Commission Representation in Greece is given to the documentary that best promotes contemporary European values, and the FIPRESCI Award (€1,000, sponsored by ERT) is given for the best film chosen by the International Federation of Film Critics. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Phoenix (€1,250, €1,000, and €750 respectively), supported by Phoenix TV, are awarded for the best short documentary by a first-time director.

This year's Main Competition Jury includes: Mitzi Goldman (Chair, Producer, CEO Documentary Australia), Valerie Kontakos (Director, Producer), Alan Gilsenan (Director, Producer), Bruce Clark (Author, Journalist), and Shuibo Wang (Director). The micro competition jury consists of: André Singer (Chair, Director, Producer), Agapi Kefalogianni (Program Director, Nova Greece), Elif Akçalı (Academic), Penelope McDonald (Director, Producer), and Marco Gastine (Director, Producer), while the FIPRESCI Jury includes film critics Marina Kostova, Peter Kremski, and Giorgos Papadimitriou.

In a recorded message, Klaus Eder, General Secretary of FIPRESCI, stated: "Documentary films offer viewers an excellent opportunity to learn more about the world. The small island of Kastellorizo gives us the chance to meet, talk, and discuss: about cinema, life, and politics. We can all benefit from these advantages. I wholeheartedly wish great success to the wonderful Irini Sarioglou and her exceptional team."

The film that officially opened the festival was Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity by the award-winning Larry Weinstein, one of the most important documentary filmmakers on music. In a recorded greeting, the director said it was a great honor to have his film selected to open Beyond Borders. During difficult times for cinema and the world, the festival is an ode to humanity and joy, Weinstein said, adding that the festival presents films beyond borders and dogmas, highlighting humanity. The film began as a documentary about Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and his love for freedom. However, global events, the war in Ukraine, and recent major conflicts in the Middle East led the director to create something deeper, more personal, as the war directly affected his family. Beethoven's Nine ultimately is a documentary about music, but also about war and hope. It follows nine individuals, including Ukrainian musicians, a deaf composer, a Polish rock star, a bestselling author, a legendary cartoonist, and Weinstein himself, as they try to better understand Beethoven's legacy, the composer's struggles, the inspiration that music can offer, and how humanity continues to seek hope even in the darkest times.

The opening concluded with an impressive acapella performance of an Asia Minor song by Zacharias Karounis, whose magical voice moved and energized the audience with beloved, well-known songs, traditional tunes learned from his teacher Domna Samiou, major theatrical performances, collaborations with great composers like Stavros Xarhakos and Mikis Theodorakis, as well as his own compositions. He was accompanied by distinguished composer, piano soloist, and conductor of the Stavros Xarhakos Orchestra, Neoclis Neofytides. "Beyond Borders is a handmade festival, and that moves me deeply because it highlights human relationships," said Zacharias Karounis.

The festival begins in earnest today with its competition sections and special screenings in the Panorama, with premieres from around the world, masterclasses by renowned filmmakers, the promising Co-Production Forum, the Audiovisual Pitching Lab, the Beyond Storytelling filmmaking workshop, the Critics' Corner, the Film Schools Network with students participating in many festival activities, book presentations, exhibitions, shadow theater, and workshops on cinema, dance, and music for children and adults alike.

You can find the festival's daily schedule here and the detailed program here. Photos from the Opening Ceremony are available here, from the Jury Members here, from the Festival here, and snapshots from the films here. The trailer for the 9th edition is available here. For more information, visit www.beyondborders.gr or contact the Festival at info@beyondborders.gr. Stay tuned for all the actions and news of Beyond Borders by following the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Organized by the Hellenic History Foundation (IDISME) in collaboration with the French Ecrans des Mondes. Co-organized by the South Aegean Region and supported by the Hellenic Parliament, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of National Defense, the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the National Centre for Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME), the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), the Greek Film Center, the Australian Embassy in Athens, the German Embassy in Athens, the Austrian Embassy in Athens, and the Spanish Embassy in Athens.