Every year in November, Thessaloniki becomes the center of film. The town tours the latest film productions, the most popular filmmakers and actors and the best films from all around the world. The reason is the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.

For the first time it was held in 1960 as the Week of Greek cinema and is considered the first film festival in the Balkans. Gradually it grew. The audience became more numerous  “and enjoys more and more new movies. Since 1992 Thessaloniki Film Festival has the status of an international event of great importance for the movie industry.
Until the mid 90s it performed only in November, but later began to unfold its activities throughout the year. Various events in cinema and cultural life of Thessaloniki associated with the festival are the result of close cooperation between the organizers of the event and a number of local, national and international film, cultural, educational and social institutions. The embassies of several countries in Greece also assist. The historic theater "Olympion" in the center of Thessaloniki throughout the whole year presents new awarded films and retrospectives.
In 1999 to the calendar of film events in the city were added the International Documentary Film Festival, which is held every spring. There was also created a market for documentary films – Doc Market and Pitching Forum for co-productions.
This year, from the 6th  to 15th of November will be held the 56th edition of the Thessaloniki Film Festival, where films will be presented from many countries. The event will also be enriched with the accompanying cultural events - photo exhibitions, master classes and workshops with famous names in cinema.

Photo: Elma Neykova