Syros set to host its 1st International Film Festival
The bulk of offerings at the 1st International Film Festival of Syros, which is scheduled to take place from August 6-9, comprise recent Greek and international films about travel, with a focus on the themes of diaspora, immigration and cultural cohabitation.
According to the festival organizers, Syros itself has a long history with immigration, as its capital, Ermoupoli, was founded by refugees that fled Smyrna, Chios, Samos and other areas of Asia Minor during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). The organizers say that the goal of the festival is to offer the audience a reflection of Greece’s financial crisis, which has resulted in a growing sense of resentment toward the immigrants currently living in the country.
The festival includes a series of documentaries, both international and domestic, including “Casus Belli” (photo), a short film by Yorgos Zois. The film explores crisis-hit Athens through the eyes of individuals waiting in line for a food handout.
Janis Rafailidou’s 15-minute film “EXIT K1,” which focuses on the changing scenery between central Athens and the city’s international airport, will also be screened.
Admission to screenings is free, and the festival will include a series of panels with professors and filmmakers. For more information, visit www.syrosfilmfestival.org.
