Overview
The Athens International Film Festival, known as Premiere Nights (Nychtes Premieras), is an annual festival held in Athens, Greece. Founded in 1995, the festival runs for approximately 12 days in late September to mid-October. The 32nd edition is scheduled for September 30 to October 11, 2026. The 31st edition ran October 1 to 12, 2025.
The festival presents Greek premieres of new international films alongside a competitive section for Greek short films called "Greek Short Stories" (Hellenikes Mikres Istories). The 30th edition received 373 short film submissions, a record, with 46 films selected for competition. The festival screens at multiple venues across central Athens including Cinobo Opera, Astor, Asty, Danaos, and the Olympia Municipal Music Theatre Maria Callas.
For filmmakers: the festival accepts Greek and Cypriot short film submissions via FilmFreeway. The submission deadline for the 32nd edition is July 12, 2026. There is no premiere exclusivity requirement for the short film competition. International feature films are programmed through curatorial selection rather than open submissions. The festival does not operate a film market.
Key Sections and Programs
- Greek Short Stories (Short Film Competition): Competitive section for Greek short films. Films must be completed between September 2025 and summer 2026 for the 32nd edition. Maximum duration 40 minutes. Selected films screen in DCP format only. No premiere exclusivity required. One film per director. Films rejected in previous editions are not accepted.
- International Program: Non-competitive curated selections of new international features receiving their Greek premiere. The 31st edition (2025) screened films including Daniel Day-Lewis's return film Anemone, Richard Linklater's Blue Moon, Lazlo Nemes's Orphan, and Fatih Akin's Amrum.
- Special Screenings: High-profile premieres and charity screenings. The 31st edition opened with Bugonia and closed with The History of Sound.
- Retrospectives and Tributes: Programs honoring filmmakers and cinema movements.
Submission Details
Greek Short Film Competition
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Platform | FilmFreeway |
| Deadline (32nd edition) | July 12, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Greek and Cypriot short films completed September 2025 to summer 2026 |
| Maximum Duration | 40 minutes |
| Premiere Requirement | None (no exclusivity or Greek premiere required) |
| Screening Format | DCP only (if selected) |
| Submission Fee | Not published (check FilmFreeway for current fees) |
| Selection | By the head of the department and the programming team |
International Features
International feature films are programmed through curatorial relationships with sales agents and distributors. There is no open submission process for international features. Filmmakers or sales agents interested in having their film considered should contact the festival programming team through the official website.
Awards and Prize Money
Greek Short Film Competition
| Award | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Golden Athena (Best Film) | 2,000 EUR (supported by the Greek Film Centre) |
| Silver Athena (Special Jury Prize) | 1,500 EUR (supported by the Greek Film Centre) |
| Best Director | 1,500 EUR (supported by Film School and Art Renegade) + 5-year Premium membership to Crew United |
| Best Screenplay | 1,500 EUR (supported by the Greek Film Centre) |
| Best Actor | 5-year Premium membership to Crew United |
| Best Actress | 5-year Premium membership to Crew United |
| Onassis Film Award | 5,000 EUR development grant (supported by Onassis Culture) |
| GSC Best Cinematography | 4,000 EUR equipment rental (supported by the Greek Society of Cinematographers and DK Rental House) |
The Onassis Film Award is a development grant awarded to a director for the development of their next feature film screenplay. Films that have received Onassis Culture production support or have already won the Onassis Award at the Drama Film Festival are excluded from this award.
Market and Industry Activity
The Athens International Film Festival does not operate a formal film market. Industry activity consists of networking events, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and press interactions around the competitive and premiere screenings. The festival does not have an attached co-production market or industry forum comparable to those at Thessaloniki or other major European festivals.
Academy Award Qualifying Status
The Athens International Film Festival is not an Academy Award-qualifying festival. Winning the Golden Athena does not qualify a short film for Oscar consideration.
Festival History
Founded in 1995, the Athens International Film Festival was created to give Athens its own film festival identity, separate from the older Thessaloniki International Film Festival. The festival has operated continuously since its founding, growing from a small premiere event into a 12-day festival screening across five venues.
The Greek Short Film Competition has been a fixture for over 12 years, presenting more than 700 short films total and serving as a platform for emerging Greek filmmakers. The competition has grown substantially, with the 30th edition receiving 373 submissions (a record) compared to 88 submissions for the combined Maori Pasifika and New Zealand's Best competition at comparable festivals.
The 31st edition in 2025 was described as running in a "condensed form" due to special circumstances, though it maintained its programming quality across 12 days. The 32nd edition returns to the standard September 30 to October 11, 2026 window.
Practical Information for Attendees
- 2026 Dates: September 30 to October 11, 2026
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Venues: Cinobo Opera, Astor, Asty, Danaos, and Olympia Municipal Music Theatre Maria Callas
- Tickets: Available online at aiff.gr and more.com. Advance sales for pass holders typically begin 2-3 days before general sales.
- Language: International films screened in original language with Greek subtitles.
- Submission Link: FilmFreeway (search for Athens International Film Festival)
- Official Website: aiff.gr
See Also
For Greek and Southern European cinema market context, see International Film Markets. For festival submission strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate the cost-benefit of submitting to Athens and other festivals.
Festival Submission Resources
The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
Christopher Schiller's comprehensive guide to navigating the festival circuit, from submission strategy to on-the-ground networking.
Film Festival Secrets
A practical handbook for filmmakers on selecting the right festivals, preparing submission materials, and maximizing festival exposure.
DCP Media Drives
Browse B&H Photo's selection of DCP-compatible hard drives and media for festival delivery requirements.
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