THE STORY OF THE FESTIVAL

OUR STORY

Four years ago some good friends who loved Patmos and cinema gathered together in this very inspirational island and decided to create a film festival and develop it into a meeting place for filmmakers and artists from around the world, a platform for the start-up of new projects and eventually a non competitive celebration of independent cinema.

Babis Tsoutsas, Steve Krikris, Anna Wenneker, Makis Mazarakis and Tim Timmers were the first team that joined their forces to make the dream come true.

The idea of a film festival in Patmos was so appropriate that soon more than 30 different cinema professionals, designers, technicians, journalists, musicians and film lovers, both Greek and international contributed in time, effort  and technical support.

The set up of the first festival in 2010  was a production achievement. Against all difficulties, the newly established Greek crisis and the minimal available funds, couldn’t be possible without all the people that helped and now are part of the big group of IFFP friends! (check the pics…)

Today, 4 years after the original idea, with 5500 admissions, more than 150 films, shorts, docs and many parallel events, we join our efforts again to set up a festival that will be closer to our initial dream.

The International Film Festival of Patmos is a non profit organization free of admission in all the screenings, venues, seminars and events.

PROGRAM

In 8 days of screenings we will present:

12 awarded feature films
13 documentaries
50 short films
In 2 venues: An open air cinema, that we setup from scratch, for 400 people – a «cinema under the stars» and a documentaries hall located in the picturesque bay of Groikou. (see more…)

The Parallel Events include:
1 filmmaking workshop that will eventually produce a feature length documentary consisting of 9 shorts called «Life in the Borderlands»

1 live concert from well-know greek musicians (TBA 5/7 – stay tuned!)
3 parties
4 masterclasses by acclaimed international filmmakers – to name a few, director Alexander Payne and director of photography Phaedon Papamichael

PATMOS
Patmos, is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean sea. It occupies a land of a few square miles only and combines a rich cultural history and a breathtaking natural beauty. It is very remote and wild, while getting there, is something we call «part of the Patmos experience».

The winds usually blow from all directions leaving the visitor wonder where he lost his hat and when they don’t, they allow the sun to burn his scalp in a unique and almost picturesque way!
The island of Patmos is also known for its inspirational hallucinating characteristics! It is here where Saint John wrote the book of Revelations, AKA the Apocalypse! Furthermore, the natural surroundings are literally breathtaking, leaving lots people with the tendency to quit smoking. If you are still thinking to visit the island, think again. If eventually you decide otherwise, then come and visit us and we will welcome you to the great group of Patmos friends. ( and maybe help you buy a house there, something that you’ll definitely ask for…!)

For more information, follow the link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1599340203/int-film-festival-of-patmos-july-2013?ref=live