Video film is the top focus at 417 festival in Athens
Now set to enter into its third year, Video Platform Zero Five, a festival dedicated to digital cinema, is maturing into an open-minded cultural institution. Based at 417, an impressive three-story building of historical significance in the downtown district of Metaxourgeio (Myllerou and Keramikou), the latest event begins this Friday and runs through October 10. Over 200 video films – Greek and foreign – of various styles, including dance, cartoons, and experimental, will be screened at the event, which was launched with the purpose of promoting digital cinema in Greece. As a principal, no thematic or time restrictions are imposed on entries. Besides the video films, the event will include projections of approximately 70 films that have been screened at independent film festivals in the southeastern European and Mediterranean regions. Entries this year include films from Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Israel, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey. Also on the event’s agenda is a tribute to Vouvoula Skoura, an innovative artist who paved new ways for video film in Greece. The festival will conclude with the presentation of an audience award and a closing ceremony at nearby Leontos Avdi Square. Built in 1952, the building housing the 417 venue underwent renovations that were completed in 2003. A retro building, it stands as an architectural landmark in Athens. Projections will be held between 5.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. on Friday, 1.30 p.m. and 1.30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 5.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Monday. For further information regarding the festival and other 417 events, call (mobile) 6946.811911.
