The opening ceremony of the 4th Evia Film Project, Thessaloniki Film Festival’s green initiative, took place on Tuesday June 17th, at the packed “Apollon” open-air movie theater of Edipsos, with the screening of the feel-good smash hit musical Mamma Mia!, which was filmed in Greece. The Festival’s General Director Elise Jalladeau and the Artistic Director Orestis Andreadakis welcomed the audience, while Vice President Katerina Bei attended the event, representing the Festival’s Board of Directors. Among those honoring the opening ceremony of the 4th Evia Film Project with their presence were the Deputy Minister of Culture, responsible for Contemporary Culture, Iason Fotilas, the Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism of the Region of Central Macedonia, Vicky Hadjivassiliou, the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Ioannis Kontzias, the Deputy Mayor of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna, Evmorfia Paschalidi, cinematographer Nikos Kavoukidis, film director Yorgos Tsemberopoulos, and actor Fanis Mouratidis.
“It is our fourth year here, at your hospitable land, in Northern Evia. Really, were you expecting it? Our hearts rejoice witnessing the Evia Film Project blossoming, in tandem with nature slowly coming back to life,” Elise Jalladeau noted. “We have truly become a team with the people here, organizing the Evia Film Project together, facing challenges together, learning, celebrating, moving forward side by side. This year, we have so much to showcase in Edipsos, Limni, and in Agia Anna, and just as much to discuss about the Greek summer. Thank you for everything, we hope that you are all well, and that we all have a great time together!”
Next, Orestis Andreadakis referred to the theme of this year’s edition, the Greek summer: “Welcome to Northern Evia. To a place where summer becomes a living memory, a care, a refuge. To a place that has, for centuries, been healing – not only bodies, but also souls. Today, here, we are not merely kicking off a festival. We are starting a dialogue. A dialogue between past and future, art and nature, humanity and the world that hosts it. A dialogue profoundly necessary, almost existential in nature. Because sustainability – a term that we hear more and more, but often lacking in depth – here acquires new meaning and dons a face, in the land that nourishes us, in the sea that unites us, in the tree that did not burn. That is why our central theme is summer. And more precisely, the Greek summer that warms us, enchants us, yet also burns. The Greek summer that is accompanied by carefreeness, but also remembrance. The joy brought about by gathering together, but also the responsibility that comes with our presence in a place, this place. Because summer can no longer be taken for granted. Just like anything else these days. That is why we are here. To remember, to speak, to feel. To once again imagine a world where beauty lies not only in the visual, but in coexistence. I urge you to spend these days together not only as spectators, but as fellow life companions. Welcome to a Greek summer that also yearns for a future,” he stated, before giving the floor to the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Ioannis Kontzias.
Mr. Kontzias welcomed the Deputy Minister of Culture and the audience, while thanking the Thessaloniki Film Festival for its presence in Northern Evia. “We welcome you for the fourth consecutive year to Edipsos, which is where the Evia Film Project is based. For us, the Evia Film Project is an initiative that evolved into one of the most heartfelt actions of the Greek state and the artistic community in this land that was destroyed, yet still stands tall. The Greek summer, this year’s central theme, brings back painful memories from that difficult summer of 2021, which starred in current affairs, but is now gradually fading from the spotlight. The presence of the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Northern Evia is both a driving force and a tool that keeps alive the memory of this constantly unfolding disaster, communicates our needs outside the confines of our own municipality, and reminds the state of its obligation to lend its support. It is going to take many decades before we see our land back to its pre-disaster levels, and we will only achieve this through hard work. The Greek summer is the most beautiful expression of this magical place we call Greece.” Then, he stressed that climate change poses an increasingly greater challenge each passing year, and concluded his speech by wishing that the Evia Film Project will continue in the years to come. “We learnt so many things with you, and together we managed to revive the “Apollon” theater where we are standing now. We continue to organize activities related to cinema within the local community; you have stood alongside us as our dearest friends.”
Next, Iason Fotilas, the Deputy Minister of Culture, responsible for Contemporary Culture, took the floor. “Welcome, for the fourth consecutive year, to Evia, a place that has suffered greatly. We are here on the occasion of the 4th Evia Film Project, a green initiative carried out by the Thessaloniki Film Festival, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the local municipalities, the Region, and many others. Afterall, initiatives such as this one, are never realized by one and only institution: the best outcomes are a result of collaborative effort. I’d like to welcome you to this 5-day celebration of cinema in Northern Evia, four years after the fires. The Evia Film Project, serving as a dynamic counterpoint to devastation, continues to strengthen, and gradually evolve into a radiant institution. It is much more than a film festival and a well-planned universe of events. It is our most optimistic and meaningful response to tragedy. It reflects our conviction and offers tangible proof that humanity can overcome natural disasters, rise above devastation, and find a way to generate and produce culture. Culture is our answer to devastation – in all of its forms. This year, Evia Film Project is dedicated to the Greek summer, a theme rooted in the trenches of our very identity, as summertime feels like the shared origin of the Greek people; with its leisurely pace, its serene idleness, the harvest of winter’s labors, and the metamorphosis of dreams into ideas, and ideas into actions. We all descend from the summer of our childhood memories, and it is here we meet again. The Thessaloniki Film Festival stands out internationally thanks to the efforts of Orestis, Elise, the Board of Directors, its tireless staff, and of course, its volunteers. The summer breeze bewitches us and in an inexplicable way, carries memories of our shared future,” he concluded, signaling the beginning of the 4th Evia Film Project with lyrics from the song “Kalokairi” [Summer] by Dionysis Savvopoulos.
This was followed by the screening of the major success Mamma Mia!, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth, which was filmed in Greece. Immediately afterwards, the audience had the opportunity to enjoy a DJ set with music inspired by the film’s soundtrack.
The Evia Film Project is carried out with the backing of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Important is the contribution granted by the MEDIA program, the Ministry of Tourism and ERT. Valuable is the support offered by COSMOTE TV, the Festival’s Grand Sponsor, PPC, the Festival’s Strategic Partner, and Fischer, a steady companion of the Festival. The 4th Evia Film Project is actualized in collaboration with the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos, the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna, and the Evia Island Port Authority.
