elc team
The 10th Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival kicks off on Sunday, August 24, on the remote island of Kastellorizo, with a powerful documentary that promises to spark conversation and reflection. Over the course of eight days, the festival will present opening and closing films, concerts, parallel events, educational workshops, and family-friendly activities, transforming the island into a vibrant hub of culture and dialogue.
Strategic Partner of Beyond Borders is PPC (Public Power Corporation), the leading energy company in Southeastern Europe, which actively supports arts and culture. As an integral part of Greece’s social and economic fabric, PPC fosters dialogue with culture and the arts, envisioning a shared future where culture takes center stage.
Opening Film
“Johatsu – Into Thin Air”
Directed by Andreas Hartmann & Arata Mori
Japan – Germany, 2024, 86’
Every year, thousands of people vanish without a trace in Japan. Known as Johatsu (“the evaporated”), they choose to disappear—driven by troubled relationships, spiraling debt, or even threats from organized crime. Some seek help from so-called “night moving companies” that specialize in helping people start a new life elsewhere.
“Johatsu – Into Thin Air” offers an intimate perspective on this haunting phenomenon, capturing the emotional struggles and unresolved conflicts between those who disappear and those left behind.
Following the screening, the opening night will feature the concert “From Memory to the Present”, a musical anthology curated specially for the festival’s 10th anniversary. Performed by Chrysi Papagiannouli (vocals), Nikos Plios (guitar, vocals), and Tasos Yannoussis (bouzouki, vocals, artistic direction), the program celebrates the timeless legacy of Greek composers including Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis, Manos Loïzos, Stavros Kougioumtzis, Vassilis Tsitsanis, and Markos Vamvakaris.
Closing Film
“Asteroide Hunters”
Directed by Thomas Marlier & Guillaume Lenel
France, 2024, 52’
Astrophysicists, geochemists, and planetary scientists are joining forces in a global network of “sky watchers.” Their mission: to detect, observe, and study asteroids—celestial bodies with the power to threaten life on Earth while also holding clues to the origins of our solar system.
The closing night will culminate with a concert by Kostas Triantafyllidis titled “Istoria” (Story). Known for his collaborations with legendary Greek artists such as Dimitris Mitropanos, Giorgos Dalaras, and Marinella, Triantafyllidis will perform his own works alongside iconic Greek songs, including pieces from the acclaimed film “Eftyhia” and the hit TV series “Oi Pantheoi”.
Parallel Events & Activities
Music Interludes
August 25–28 | Hero Square
The Athens String Quartet—featuring members of the Athens State Orchestra and the Greek National Opera—will present masterpieces of chamber music alongside works by Greek and international composers.
Educational Workshop: “Traveling with My Documentary”
August 25–27 | Town Hall
An initiative by the Chania Film Festival, engaging students, teachers, and filmmakers in exploring local history and oral storytelling through documentary creation.
AI Chess Demonstration
August 25–29 | Agora
The Rhodes Chess Club “Ippotis” invites participants of all ages to learn and play against SenseRobot-powered AI chess machines, merging tradition with cutting-edge technology.
Bookbinding Workshop
August 30–31 | Town Hall
Led by the Thessaloniki Artistic Bookbindery, children are invited to create their own handmade books, learning materials, techniques, and storytelling traditions.
Nighttime Confessions Concert
August 30 | Hero Square
Pianist Miltos Logiadis and accordion virtuoso Christos Zerbinos perform works from their acclaimed albums, blending traditional Greek melodies with contemporary interpretations.
Sculpture Exhibition: “Shaping the Land” by Alexandros Zygouris
August 25–30 | Zygouris Atelier
A long-time Castellorizo resident, Zygouris explores the island’s stone landscapes, creating sculptures entirely with hand tools—hammer, drill, and chisel—drawing inspiration from local history and ancestral traditions.
Book Presentations
“Castellorizo” by Athina Tarsouli
A re-edition of Tarsouli’s landmark work documenting the island’s oral traditions and cultural identity.
“The Uses of Oppression” by Marina Sakali, Lady Marks
A Harvard University Press publication exploring Greek-Ottoman newspapers (1830–1862) and the social transformations of the Tanzimat period.
