After nine successfully celebrated years of the Peloponnese International Documentary Festival, it is now time to give short documentaries their own space.

 

The 1 st Kalamata International Short Documentary Festival will be held from January 27 to January 30, 2023, and will feature workshops, seminars, and special educational programs. In keeping with the long tradition of the Kalamata Creative Documentary Center, the Peloponnese International Documentary Festival, and the interest of Kalamata's residents in documentaries, the festival will continue to grow.

 

In October 2021, Kalamata's International Short Documentary Festival launched an innovative selection method.

 

In every month's free public screening, it gathers and screens the films submitted and selected in the first phase by the committee. Top-rated films advance to the annual festival program based on audience ratings. Currently, the Kalamata Creative Documentary Center has hosted twenty successful screenings, proving the city's viewer's love for documentaries and the need for more cultural activities.

 

First-phase films are selected by a committee that includes directors, producers, and festival team members, as well as students from Greek film schools.

 

This festival aims to introduce the Greek public to all the expressions of the documentary genre. In addition, the continuous participation of the viewers in the evaluation process is intended to encourage a deeper study of the way in which the creators communicate and express themselves.

 

There are no clear boundaries between the subject matter and the artistic approach of the films chosen for this festival. Starting from the experimental and moving towards the "video-art", they end up in the classic narrative,  investigative, and ethnological documentary. The themes of environment, equality, gender discrimination, history, politics, society, and the arts all bind together to broaden the viewer's perspective.

 

Throughout the Festival, young creators are given the opportunity to present their work and distinguish themselves through three special awards. Thirty (30) films by newcomer directors will be screened in January 2023, many of which are university student productions or films made by underage students.

 

Bringing young audiences in contact with the documentary genre is a top priority for the festival, providing them with the impetus to engage actively and creatively in their own productions.

 

It, therefore, presents a program aimed at school students, as well as a workshop on creating documentaries by students. School teachers will also be able to participate in a seminar during the festival, aimed at creating documentaries and capturing oral history in schools.
The Creative Documentary Center and Peloponnese International Documentary Festival continue to conduct workshops and activities in schools throughout the year.

continue to conduct workshops and activities in schools throughout the year.

A large number of Greek and Cypriot creators participate in the festival.

With forty (40) films, Greek and Cypriot creators can effectively communicate with the public and with the international participants, creators, and guests, presenting their work, exchanging opinions and creating an environment for networking and creative collaboration.

The festival's entire program, workshops and seminars are free to the public.

Additionally, all films of the festival as well as the special program for schools will be accessible throughout the year through the festival website from distant areas within Greece.

Subtitles in Greek and English are provided for the films, as well as Subtitles for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (SDH).

This festival is organized by Kalamata Creative Documentary Center, with volunteers from all over Greece participating and supporting it.

The festival will feature two main audience awards for the best Greek and international documentary, two jury awards for the best Greek and international student documentary, and awards for the best newcomer director, photography, editing, and sound.

If you are a filmmaker you can submit your short documentary, up to 30 minutes, throughout the year.
The entry process is conducted through the FilmFreeway platform. All interested creators are suggested to keep submitting their works for the upcoming festival.