25/09/2023 - The 19th edition of Agora’s co-production section has selected 15 projects, while the Bridge to the North initiative is being launched with the first participating country set to be Lithuania

Director Kristina Spassovska, who is taking part with 40 Maria Luisa Boulevard (© Berlinale Talents)

The 19th instalment of the Agora Crossroads Co-Production Forum in Thessaloniki is set to occur primarily on site from 5-9 November, with additional online networking components. Participants will be engaged in a comprehensive preparatory programme that includes both online and on-site workshops, aimed at polishing their presentations to the industry. These workshops are guided by producer Amanda Livanou, of Neda Film, to ensure the best possible outcome.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

This year, Agora is launching an innovative initiative called “Bridge to the North”, aimed at establishing collaborative connections between the South and the North. Each year, a different guest country from the Baltic and Scandinavian regions will be hosted, fostering opportunities for financing, artistic cooperation and cultural exchange. This initiative aims to cultivate a fertile environment for co-productions and synergies.

Lithuania will be the first participant in Bridge to the North. In partnership with the Lithuanian Film Centre, a delegation of Lithuanian producers, directors, distributors and film programmers will actively participate in all Agora activities. They will also showcase their own projects and talents, enriching Agora's project selection, and introducing new stories and genres from this distinct geographical region.

This year's selection comprises 15 projects at various stages of development, each accompanied by their respective directors and producers. These projects represent 14 different countries, encompassing Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean region, with one in particular hailing from the guest country, Lithuania. The selection includes both debut and sophomore features, alongside seasoned directors who are presenting their third or even fifth film projects. Recurring themes among them include nature, love, war, female emancipation and ghosts, and they incorporate various genre elements. Furthermore, this selection showcases the work of ten female directors from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Agora and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are actively embracing eco-friendly practices to create a more environmentally sustainable film event, and to this end, they are introducing the Greener Screen Consultancy Award, valued at €7,000. This prize provides a customised green production best-practice plan for the selected project, virtual training for the designated eco-manager regarding the plan, ongoing assistance for the eco-manager throughout the pre-production and production phases, and the option to engage in “Greener Script” consultancy sessions for the writer, director and creative producer. The Crossroads awards are provided by Greek post-production house Two Thirty Five, the Onassis Foundation, the CNC, ArteKino, Finos Film, the Cannes Marché du Film’s Producers Network, Sofia Meetings, the MFI, Initiative Film and EAVE.

The selected Crossroads Co-Production Forum projects are as follows:

40 Maria Luisa Boulevard - Kristina Spassovska (Bulgaria) - In collaboration with Sofia Meetings
Producer: Maya Vitkova-Kosev (Viktoria Films)

And Me Too - Sondos Shabayek (Germany/Egypt) - In collaboration with the Mediterranean Film Institute
Producer: Kesmat Elsayed (SEERA FILMS Gmbh/See Media Production)

Black Water - Isabella Margara (Greece)
Producer: Kyriaki Virou (AbFab Productions)

Friends, Birthdays, Murder, Etc - Lida Vartzioti, Dimitris Tsakaleas (Greece)
Producer: Ioanna Bolomyti (Atalante Productions SA)

God Break Down the Door - Vojtěch Novotný (Czech Republic) - In collaboration with MIDPOINT Institute
Producer: Tomáš Pertold (Perfilm)

The Grand Inquisitor - Marat Sargsyan (Lithuania)
Producer: Klementina Remeikaite (afterschool production)

I Matter - Alina Serban (Romania)
Producer: Ada Solomon (microFILM)

Lady Sunshine - Anna Korom (Hungary)
Producer: Anna Szijártó (Kinomoto Kft)

Petrol Station - Yuliia Hontaruk (Ukraine)
Producer: Elena Saulich (Babylon’13)

Singing Horses - Luka Papić (Serbia/Germany)
Producer: Srđa Vučo (Ranč production)
Co-producer: Julia Cöllen (Fünferfilm)

So the Lovers Could Come Out Again - George Peter Barbari (Lebanon)
Producer: Christelle Younes (Bee On Set Productions)

Stringa - Maria Hatzakou, Alexandra Matheou (Greece)
Producer: Maria Hatzakou (Merricat Film)

Sydney Smile Future Perfect - Gregoris Rentis (Greece)
Producers: Myrto Stathi, Mando Stathi (Byrd)

Tethys Ocean - Anna Jadowska (Poland/France)
Producer: Maria Blicharska (Blick Productions)
Co-producer: Damien Mc Donald (Blick Productions International)

Yiannis - Kyros Papavassiliou (Cyprus/Greece)
Producers: Kyros Papavassiliou, Maria Varnakkidou (dryTree films)
Co-producer: Konstantina Stavrianou (Graal)