The 57th Thessaloniki International Film Festival opened last night with an original and fresh start for the new director of the festival, Greek Film critic, editor and former Athens Film Festival Director Orestis Andreadakis, who took her from Dimitri Eipides at the beginning of the year. 

At the historic Olympion Theatre, the ceremony hosted Greek actors Themis Batzaka and Stelios Mainas, who managed with spot on jokes and great vibe to welcome the audience and speak about the festival’s history and activity, pointing out the great line up of the 57th festival, showing over 200 films in the Greek city until November 13th. 

“When festival started, with Venice making the first step over 70 years ago, it was all very different in the festival world. Today festivals work as a platform to make new connections and proactively stimulate the future film production..” said mr. Andreadakis in his very first opening speech. 

Although Jim Jarmusch was not present to greet the audience and present his film Paterson that opened the festival, he sent a pre-recorded message, expressing his warmest wishes for wonderful festival to the city with great audiences and ‘the best food in the world’. 

The ceremony was followed by the opening party with many events to follow in the next days including the opening of the Film Market tomorrow Saturday and special free events, masterclasses and networking parties throughout the festival.