When Animasyros took its first steps, we said that every September Ermoupolis becomes… Athens, thanks to the attraction of the most “sophisticated” public at the then innovative international animation festival. This year, Animasyros blew out her first 15 candles in a completely different environment: not only has she grown artistically and is firmly rooted in the local Syros community. The fact is that Ermoupolis itself has changed so much that some of the then visitors to those first events are now permanent residents of the island. Or almost forever…
But, apart from the place, the festival itself leaves its mark on Greece and the world that is changing, and at the same time it becomes a mirror of these cosmogenic changes that we do not notice in the frenzy of everyday life. no time to realize. Who would have told us five or ten years ago that the person who would announce Animasiros this year would be the first female President of the Republic in the country’s history, Katerina Sakellaropoulou? Eyewitnesses of the president’s presence presented us with impressive footage of her stormy communication with visitors and creators.
Having the opportunity to say that this year was the year with the largest number of guests and visitors from abroad in the history of the festival. But that’s not all: who else would have told us that there will be a special competition category for works with LGBTQ+ content. Or that one of the most emotional side-events of Animasiros 15 will take place where the Hermes winter cinema once operated, in a working-class and less popular area of Ermoupolis, bringing to the surface memories and friendships that last at least half a century.
Recall that this year the event had everything: six full days, a rich program of 200 films, the cream of the world animation, eight competition sections, an international panorama, as always, three special editions (the Baltic countries, Norway, Ukraine), films specially selected for children, original workshops for all ages, a well-established Market, a meeting place for global creativity with invited guests from more than 100 professionals from 15 different countries. The awards were presented Sunday evening at the historic Apollo Theatre. The first prize in the Greek competition went to Chrysoul Korovesis and Marios Gambierakis for their beautiful Canary.
Source: Kathimerini
James Springer is a renowned author and opinion writer, known for his bold and thought-provoking articles on a wide range of topics. He currently works as a writer at 247 news reel, where he uses his unique voice and sharp wit to offer fresh perspectives on current events. His articles are widely read and shared and has earned him a reputation as a talented and insightful writer.