KINO ATHENS 2026: 4th Edition Celebrates 250 Years of Jane Austen

KINO ATHENS returns for its 4th edition, taking place 12–22 March 2026, and proudly announces its central tribute:

Jane Austen 250 – Whit Stillman: Independent Hero

Marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, KINO ATHENS presents a rare cinematic and literary dialogue that unites the timeless novelist with contemporary American filmmaker Whit Stillman – one of the few directors to have captured Austen’s wit, elegance, and philosophical depth while shaping a distinct voice in independent cinema.

The retrospective will showcase Stillman’s acclaimed works – from Metropolitan (1990) and Barcelona (1994), to The Last Days of Disco (1998), Damsels in Distress (2011), and his celebrated adaptation of Austen’s Lady Susan, retitled Love & Friendship (2016). Alongside the screenings, audiences will be invited to a series of exclusive talks with the director, exploring his creative process, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the enduring influence of Jane Austen on his oeuvre.

Whit Stillman will attend the Festival in Athens to receive the Golden Deer of the City of Athens for his outstanding contribution to Independent Creation — a special distinction awarded to artists whose work has left a lasting mark on world independent cinema.

From its very first edition, KINO ATHENS has stood as a space of freedom and creativity: where cinema remains free – free to experiment, to challenge conventions, and to amplify voices often unheard in mainstream frameworks. The festival celebrates independent cinema not only as an art form but also as a field of reflection, where filmmakers and audiences meet in an open, genuine exchange.

With the focus Jane Austen 250 – Whit Stillman: Independent Hero, KINO ATHENS continues its mission, honouring one of the most enduring figures of world literature and a contemporary auteur who carries her spirit into the present.