Golden Dionysus for Neritan Zinxhiria’s “Noi”. Honors for “The One Who Once Existed”, “400 Cassettes”, “Correct Me If I’m Wrong”. New voices, powerful stories, strong social imprint define the festival

At a warm closing ceremony of the 48th Drama Festival, where young filmmakers made their voices heard-expressing their concerns about the issues facing their industry as well as the plight of Palestine, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture Iason Fotilas-the big winner was Neritan Zinxhiria. His short film Noi won the Golden Dionysus, automatically securing the coveted “ticket” to the Oscars® race. Set in a Vlach village of Metsovo, the film stars a horse and a boy. When the older brother is killed by his beloved horse, the younger must decide-through nightmares and visions-whether to kill the animal or forgive it.

A familiar name to the festival, Neritan Zinxhiria first won the Golden Dionysus in 2012 for his film Chamomile, while two years ago he also received the DISFF documentary award for Light of Light, once again penetrating the essence of the Balkan soul through his lens.

The Tonia Marketaki Best Director Award went to The One Who Once Existed by Kostis Theodosopoulos. In the same film, Aris Balis received the Best Actor Award for his role as a gay vampire in contemporary Greece. The film also won the Drama Queer Award.

The Best Actress Award went to newcomer Filia Papaggelidi, who starred in Mitsi by Gevi Dimitrakopoulou, portraying a tomboy experiencing her first period in an unorthodox way. The Screenplay Award was shared by Yiannis Symvonis and lead actor Giorgos Aggelkos for Little Body, a powerful story about the ties between a man and a young boy.

The Documentary Award went to Requiem in Salt, by the Cypriot duo Sylvia Nicolaides and Nicolas Iordanou, while the Special Jury Award went to Dust You Are, and unto Dust You Shall Return by Dimitris Papathanasis.

The Grand Prix of the International Competition was awarded to Correct Me If I’m Wrong by Hao Zhou (Germany, USA), which also qualifies directly for the Oscars. It is worth noting that a Greek filmmaker, Thelgyia Petraki—herself a past Golden Dionysus winner—was also distinguished in the International Competition: her film 400 Tapes won the Best Film of Southeastern Europe Award.

The 48th Drama International Short Film Festival Awards Ceremony took place at the “Antonis Papadopoulos” Amphitheatre of the city’s Municipal Conservatory, hosted by Vasilis Terzopoulos.

Before the speeches began, in a surprise move, the short filmmakers collectively climbed on stage and raised the flag of Palestine, while actor Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos read a statement about the Greek vessel Oxygen, “which leaves the port of Hermoupolis to join the international fleet heading to Gaza, carrying hope, life, and humanitarian aid.”

The ceremony was opened by the Mayor of Drama and President of the Drama Short Film Festival Cultural Organization, Giorgos Papadopoulos, who emphasized that ‘this year’s festival participation broke all records with 3,800 films. Despite the limited time available, the new artistic director Giorgos Angelopoulos showed great love, patience, and persistence, and when we shook hands, the outcome was already evident in what we see today.’

After thanking Minister Lina Mendoni and Deputy Minister Iason Fotilas, Mr. Papadopoulos announced: “Tomorrow, the dismantling of this space will begin, as both this hall at the Municipal Conservatory and the ‘Olympia’ will undergo radical renovations. The Ministry of Culture has secured €1.4 million for this upgrade.” He also referred to another major project at the Andrikakis military camp, part of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry, EKOME, the Region, and the Municipality: “Work will begin on the first four buildings with a budget of €10 million.”

The Vice-President of the Drama Short Film Festival Cultural Organization, Petros Paraskevaidis, after thanking the Ministry of Culture, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Hellenic Parliament, the sponsors, the staff of the Municipality’s Cultural Organization, the partners, and of course the volunteers, said: ‘We experienced one of the best festivals to date. The Drama Festival is now an internationally recognized institution and a reference point for short film, leaving a strong social imprint on the city, the country, and beyond.’ Addressing the young filmmakers, he concluded: ‘Drama is you!’

A particularly moving moment came when Eleftheria Kavaka, the Festival’s director, took the stage amid warm applause to bid farewell as she retired after 40 years of service. Ritsa Kavaka, who worked under six municipal administrations and four artistic directors, thanked the original team of artistic director Antonis Papadopoulos, Sofia Georgiadou, and Manolis Melissourgos, and expressed her satisfaction with the festival’s progress and the strength of the new team.

Taking the podium, Deputy Minister of Culture Iason Fotilas stressed that “the Ministry has consistently embraced the Drama Festival. We believe in its developmental potential. Never before have so many funds been invested in the audiovisual sector as in the period 2019–2025. According to official data, more than 1,000 projects were funded during this period with nearly €230 million, while private investors added another €555 million. Of this, over €2 million went to short films and about €8 million to documentaries. More and more countries are choosing Greece for their productions. The Greek audiovisual sector is a tremendous growth driver. The contribution of the Drama Festival is invaluable.”

However, his detailed breakdown of state funding since 2019 sparked reactions from many filmmakers and jury members, such as Panagiotis Evangelidis and Angelos Frantzis, who commented on it as they went on stage to present or receive awards.

Mr. Fotilas’s response-when he later took the stage to present the Golden Dionysus-regarding the demands of the “Zero Visibility” movement, as well as the end of subscription television (which, he said, “Greek citizens will no longer have to pay, but Greek cinema will not lose a single euro”), prolonged the tension, which only subsided when the host declared the closing of the 48th DISFF: a festival that will remain unforgettable for all, albeit for different reasons.

By common consensus, Giorgos Angelopoulos won a major bet with his first edition, which he carried out within just a few months of assuming his duties. Deeply moved, he once again, as in the opening ceremony, managed to turn attention to the true protagonists of the Drama Festival: the young filmmakers-whether awarded or not: “I thought this year I would participate in the Festival as a contestant, and in part my wish came true, as I shared with all the nominees the stress and anxiety of a ‘premiere’ (…) And inevitably my thoughts return to the kid sitting all the way in the back row, who will feel disappointed by the end of the evening. The odds of winning an award are unfortunately against him. So many years, so much effort, exhaustion, and money-and in the end? None of it is recognized? Maybe I’m not cut out for this, he thinks. Maybe I don’t have talent or the right connections? And these maybes circle in his mind. While he genuinely wants to be happy for the joy of others, inside he begins to doubt everything. I should quit, he thinks. It’s foolish to believe I’ll ever succeed. So many tried and failed—and they were better than me. And what was I thinking when I chose that font for my film’s credits? No wonder I didn’t win anything. Tomorrow I’ll ask about that office job they offered me. There’s room for advancement there. I’ll finally have a steady salary, move out, rent my own place. Time to get serious, he thinks.

But leaving the ceremony, a girl stops him to say congratulations. He tries to explain he didn’t win, but she continues, telling him how much his film touched her, that she had a similar experience to his protagonist, and that she was moved. Even the choice of font in the credits excited her! The kid thanks her and heads to the exit smiling. She reminded him of an old classmate who once told him an incredible story-a very funny story. Now that he thinks about it, that story could make a great film. Maybe next year, we’ll be presenting it here in Drama. Thank you for your films. Good luck with the next ones.”

All winners

NATIONAL COMPETITION AWARDS

Jury:
Maria Kallimani (actor) • Elsa Lekakou (actor) • Dimosthenis Papamarkos (author, screenwriter) • Andreas Sinanos (director of photography) • Angelos Frantzis (director)

Head of Programme: Giorgos Angelopoulos

Best Film – Golden Dionysus

“Noi,” Neritan Zinxhiria
Jury statement: For its fierce yet tender gaze and its pared-down, daring choices that initiate the viewer, almost liturgically, into the core of the human experience.
The winning film receives one of DISFF’s two “tickets” to the Oscars® Short Film longlist.
Prize: €10,000 (offered by Finos Film, ERT and E.K.K.O.ME.D.). The winner is automatically selected for the Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Short Film Lab.

Tonia Marketaki Award for Best Direction

“The One Who Once Existed” (Αυτός που κάποτε υπήρχε), Kostis Theodosopoulos
Jury statement: For the virtuosity with which it renews the genre’s codes, its visual rigor, and its outstanding direction of actors.
Prizes: €10,000 (ERT & E.K.K.O.ME.D.); lab services and post-production worth €2,500 (Stefilm); automatic selection for Thessaloniki’s Agora Short Film Lab.

Best Documentary

“Requiem in Salt,” Sylvia Nicolaides – Nicolas Iordanou
Jury statement: For the perfect alignment of form and content, its high aesthetic value, and its hushed narration that transforms personal grief into an artistic and spiritual experience.
Prizes: €4,000 (ERT & E.K.K.O.ME.D.); lab services and post-production worth €2,500 (Stefilm); a LED lighting set (Manios Cine Tools & Amaran).

Special Jury Award

“Dust You Are, and unto Dust You Shall Return” (Χοῦς εἶ καί εἰς χοῦν ἀπελεύσει), Dimitris Papathanasis
Jury statement: For the precise and plausible weaving of a world of collusion and corruption that admirably balances tragedy and farce, and for the unity of performance style that creates a rare ensemble.

Drama Queer Award

“The One Who Once Existed,” Kostis Theodosopoulos
Jury statement: For the inventive way it contemporizes the tradition of vampiric myths—often used as metaphors for queer love—ultimately turning it into a modern emancipatory narrative.
Prize: A 5-year Premium Crew United Pass (Crew United).

Best Screenplay

Yiannis Symvonis & Giorgos Aggelkos – “Little Body” (Μικρό Σώμα) by Yiannis Symvonis
Jury statement: For an elliptical dramaturgy that gradually reveals the film’s subject without exposition or contrived crypticism.
Prize: €3,500 (E.K.K.O.ME.D.).

Best Actress

Filia Papaggelidi – “Mitsi” (Μίτση) by Gevi Dimitrakopoulou
Prize: 5-year Premium Crew United Pass (Crew United).

Best Actor

Aris Balis – “The One Who Once Existed”
Prize: 5-year Premium Crew United Pass (Crew United).

Best Cinematography

Konstantinos Koukoulios – “Last Tropics,” Thanasis Troumpoukis
Prizes: €500 (ISOKRATIS – Organization for the Management of Authors’ Rights); a hybrid Canon kit (camera + lens set) from Canon.

Best Editing

Yiannis Karpouzis – “Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time” (Μαγκνταλένα Χάουζεν: Παγωμένος Χρόνος)
Prizes: €500 (ISOKRATIS); Avid Media Composer software (Telmaco).

Best Original Music

Alexandros Sidiropoulos – “Loudias” (Λουδίας), Akis Polyzos
Prize: Pro Tools Studio (Avid Technology, offered by Telmaco).

Best Production Design

Sofia Vaso, Lydia Miligkou – “Last Tropics,” Thanasis Troumpoukis
Prize: €500 (ISOKRATIS).

Best Costume Design – “Ioulia Stavridou” Award

Johanna Schraut – “Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time,” Yiannis Karpouzis
Prize: €500 (ISOKRATIS).

Best Sound

Dimitra Xeroutsikou, Aris Pavlidis – “The Wolves Return” (Οι Λύκοι Επιστρέφουν), Stelios Moraitidis
Prizes: €500 (ISOKRATIS); technical equipment worth €1,700 (Manios Cine Tools & Deity Microphones).

Best Sound Design

Leandros Ntounis – “Last Tropics,” Thanasis Troumpoukis
Prize: Pro Tools Studio (Avid Technology, offered by Telmaco).

Best Makeup Design

Dimitra Giatrakou – “The One Who Once Existed,” Kostis Theodosopoulos
Prize: 5-year Premium Crew United Pass (Crew United).

Special Mention

Giorgos Frentzos – “Magdalena Hausen: Frozen Time,” Yiannis Karpouzis
Jury statement: For his unique contribution to the creation of a hybrid work that, with stylistic consistency, visual audacity, and striking verisimilitude, reconstructs an entire era.

Commendation

“The Hidden Since the Creation of the World” (Τα Κρυμμένα από την ίδρυση του κόσμου), Kevin Walker – Eirini Zachariadi
Jury statement: For its authenticity and tenderness; for its delicate, paradoxical humor balanced with deep melancholy, capturing the solitude of life in a small, isolated island community.

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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AWARDS

Jury:
Katerina Gregos (Artistic Director, EMST) • Panagiotis Evangelidis (director, screenwriter) • Helena Wittmann (director, cinematographer)

Head of Programme: Vasilis Terzopoulos

Grand Prix

“Correct Me If I’m Wrong,” Hao Zhou (Germany, USA)
Jury statement: For the tender and compassionate portrayal of an attempt at reconciliation that seeks to bridge deep-rooted family differences.
Receives one of DISFF’s two “tickets” to the Oscars® Short Film longlist.
Prize: €5,000 (Raycap).

Best Direction

“Casa Chica,” Lau Charles (Mexico)
Jury statement: For an affecting approach to a family drama from different perspectives, with empathy and an open mind.
Prize: €1,500.

“DISFF 2025” Nomination for the European Film Academy Short Film Award

“Loynes,” Dorian Jespers (Belgium, France, North Macedonia, UK)
Jury statement: For questioning cinematic conventions through absurd theatricality, satirical tone, unconventional form, and an open-ended narrative.

Best Film of Southeastern Europe

“400 Cassettes,” Thélgia Petraki (Greece, Germany)
Jury statement: For its dreamlike exploration of the desire to engage with the incomprehensible and converse with the stars.
Prize: €1,000.

TV5MONDE Award for Excellence in Production

“Tragédia,” Bernardo Zanotta (Netherlands, Brazil, France)
Jury statement: For ad-hoc inventiveness, the playful transformation of material, and the way it connects youthful imagination with adult reality.

Special Mention

“No Mean City,” Ross McClean (UK)
Jury statement: For its subtle approach to the notion of change.

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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION — SHORT & GREEN

Jury:
Dimitris Kapouranis (actor) • Smaro Papaevangelou (editor – director) • Neil Young (film critic, festival programmer)

Head of Programme: Maya Sfakianaki

Best Film

“Common Pear,” Gregor Božić (Slovenia, UK)
Jury statement (abridged): The past is a crossroads between what’s already determined and a future that remains open. With urgency—individual and collective—this bold, imaginative short spans a striking thematic and formal range. Roots and branches of many species intertwine in a hybrid work that exemplifies artistic “recycling.” Amid the ruins of a dystopia that can still be avoided, the film finds a seed of hope. Human warmth, humor, and resilience are superpowers sustained by cinema as a shared emotional experience “to be shared, felt, seen.”
Prize: €4,000 (KYKLOPS Non-Profit).

Special Jury Award

“Green,” Dimitris Iosifidis Hokmetidis (Greece)
Jury statement: For an immediate, persuasive approach grounded in evident trust and empathy between filmmaker and subjects—a depiction of masculinity, work, and loneliness within an environmentally conscious frame that eloquently embraces broader political implications. A fresh contribution to Greek documentary.

Special Mention

“Darwin’s Darlings,” Ildze Terēze Felsberga (Latvia)
Note: The jury also commends the film’s cinematography by Ansis Landorfs.

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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION — KIDDO

Jury (students from Drama):
Anastasia Antoniadou • Christos Kotsis • Anastasia Bountouri • Evangelia Mytilinaiou • Ourania Chatzikourti

Head of Programme: Giorgos Angelopoulos

Best Film

“Little Rebels Cinema Club,” Khozy Rizal (Indonesia)
Jury statement: For the moving effort of the protagonist to share the magic of cinema with friends through a camera symbolizing family, friendship, and future dreams—reminding us that big dreams begin with small milestones.
Prize: €1,500 (offered by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents, owners of Drama’s first cinema “Megas Kinimatografos,” later renamed “Olympia”).

Dreamers Award

“Autumn Christmas” (Φθινοπωρινά Χριστούγεννα), Kostas Bakouris (Greece)
Jury statement: For highlighting the emotions of families with members facing serious health issues. We were moved by the protagonist’s attempt to express love for his sister by creating a Christmas musical in autumn.
Prize: €1,500 (offered by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents).

Rising KIDDO Award

“The Magic Portal,” Collective of 18 children (Belgium)
Jury statement: For impressive animation and for showcasing teamwork and collaboration through the honest gaze of children.
Prize: €1,500 to the best film in the programme made by a child director (offered by Emil Kakkis in memory of his grandparents).

Special Jury Award

“Atlantic” (Ατλαντικός), Alexandros Stamatiadis (Greece)
Jury statement: For excellent production design, warm atmosphere and humor, and for eliciting emotions that ultimately emerge organically from life itself.

Special Mention

“Feet Up,” Olli Ilpo Salonen (Finland / Lithuania)
Jury statement: For portraying the opposing worlds of children and parents striving to coexist—where upheaval turns “no” into understanding and acceptance.

GSC Commendation for Best Cinematography

Greek Society of Cinematographers (GSC)

Nikos Pylarinos
[“Λευρεσθής” by Ioanna Roumelioti]

Jury statement: From the very first minute, the film immerses the viewer in the protagonist’s world. Through naturalistic lighting—and, above all, by choosing to leave specific frames underlit—Nikos Pylarinos constructs a world that suits the script exceptionally well. Finally, the slow camera moves combined with static frames create a deeply hypnotic atmosphere that powerfully serves the narration.

The film competed in the National Student Competition.

The Commendation is awarded to an emerging cinematographer participating in one of the two National Competition Programmes and includes a full set of three next-generation STORM LED lights valued at €2,500, offered by MANIOS CINE TOOLS and Aputure.

“From Drama to Clermont” Award

Alexandros Stamatiadis

The winner took part in the Kiddo International Competition with the film “Atlantic” [“Ατλαντικός”].

Awarded to an emerging Greek director participating in the Festival’s competition programmes, who will travel free of charge to the next Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival to join the “Road to Clermont-Ferrand” networking programme. The winner was selected by an institutional committee from the French Institute of Greece, E.K.K.O.ME.D., and the Drama Festival.

Audience Award

“Volta,” Sokratis Mousmoulidis

The film competed in the National Student Competition.

Prize: €500, offered by the Macedonian Microbrewery of Drama, Johnnies’ Beer.