A CURATED CULTURAL WEEKEND EVENT CELEBRATING ART & FILM

ArtCinema wishes to thank the Hydra community and our friends for their incredible support and warm welcome for our inaugural three day event from October 4-6, 2024.

The ArtCinema Hydra launch weekend was a vibrant celebration of art and film, curating a blend of exclusive industry engagements with community-minded festivities.

The cultural event commenced at the stunning Gardenia Open-Air Cinema with the Greek premiere of the internationally acclaimed La Cocina, presented by its lead star and renowned Mexican actor Raúl Briones. The evening also paid tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Hydra Cinema Club, honouring its long-serving president and passionate cinephile, Lakis Christidis. ArtCinema's founder, international indie film producer Amanda Palmer, thanked Lakis Christidis for his unwavering support and announced the launch of a new non-profit organisation based in Greece. This initiative aims to foster a creative collective, supporting year-round artist residencies, workshops, and labs in Greece, while also providing crucial matchmaking financing opportunities for creatives.

ArtCinema opened with the greek premiere of the internationally acclaimed feature La Cocina

ArtCinema’s Amanda Palmer with Lakis Christidis, President of Hydra Cinema Club for 40 years

Jacqueline Savidge, acclaimed Hydra-based artist

La Cocina’s Raúl Briones is considered one of Mexico’s top acting talents

Over the weekend, audiences and guests were treated to shorts and two other remarkable international films, including Tim Burton's iconic Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice and The Warhol Effect, introduced by British producer-director duo Paul Toogood and Lloyd Stanton.

During the daytime, the event encouraged attendees to immerse themselves in Hydra’s vibrant artist community. Local artist Dimitris Fousekis unveiled a work-in-progress exhibition inspired by filmmaker Tim Burton and US artist, George Condo, while also leading intimate tours of home studios, offering a unique glimpse into the creative spaces of Hydra's resident artists. The weekend also featured a live music event at the renowned Old Carpet Factory, highlighted by an unforgettable performance from acclaimed Polish pianist Marcin Masecki. (For more information on our collective and participating artists, please visit our Artists page).

Polish pianist Marcin Masecki performing at The Old Carpet Factory

A standout cinema experience of the three-day event was the spectacular Closing Night held at a new and beloved screening venue - the historic Kamini port. Aptly named "Cinema & Souvlaki," the evening invited the local Kamini community and was met with a full house. The program opened with Greek filmmaker and screenwriter Yannis Sakaridis, the Artistic Director of the Drama International Short Film Festival (DISFF), presenting an engaging selection of short films from his festival.

The evening's welcome speeches included remarks from ArtCinema founder Amanda Palmer, joined by special guest Leonidas Christopoulos, the newly appointed CEO of Creative Greece, the country's leading audiovisual industry body under the Ministry of Culture. In his address, Christopoulos offered a public endorsement of ArtCinema's concept, praising its visionary approach and describing it as "a passion for the new." He also affirmed that ArtCinema would receive continued support for years to come.

Amanda Palmer with CEO of Creative Greece, Leonidas Christopoulos & Producer Elena Priovolou

Outdoor screening at Kamini Port

Amanda Palmer with CEO of Creative Greece, Leonidas Christopoulos

The film program started with respected Greek filmmaker and screenwriter Yannis Sakaridis, the Artistic Director of the Drama International Short Film Festival (DISFF), presenting an engaging selection of award winning short films from his festival.

Following the shorts, there was a special showcase of two episodes from the new series So Long, Marianne, inspired by Canadian singer-poet Leonard Cohen's relationship with Marianne Ihlen. Filmed in Hydra last year, the series was a heartfelt tribute to the island, and its British producer, Richard Tulk-Hart of Buccaneer, along with Tanweer Productions' Nancy Kokalaki and Dionyssis Samiotis, took the opportunity to thank the community for their support. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was an impromptu speech by 93-year-old Stamatis Vlachodimitris, a local Kamini resident, accordion player, boatman, and friend of Cohen. His heartfelt stories about their friendship captivated the audience and added a deeply personal touch to the closing night.

Follow us on Instagram for updates, including the announcement of next year’s dates, coming very soon!

Lloyd Stanton & Paul Toogood, Producers & Directors of The Warhol Effect

So Long, Marianne Producers Nancy Kokolaki, Richard Tulk-Hart & Dionyssis Samiotis were spontaneously joined by Kamini local Stamatis Vlachodimitri

ArtCinema’s ‘Cinema & Souvlaki’ closing night celebration is the first time a beach screening has taken place in Kamini Port and attracted hundreds of locals who were excited to see themselves in the episodes of So Long, Marianne that was filmed in Hydra last summer

PUBLIC SCHEDULE FOR
2024 INAUGURAL EVENT

5-6 OCTOBER 2024, HYDRA ISLAND GREECE

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5
ART & FILM

Since the mid-20th century Hydra emerged as a haven for International Artists. It began attracting more painters, poets, and musicians, such as Leonard Cohen.
ArtCinema Hydra encourages our guests and community to discover Hydra's local artists and invites you to arrange studio visit times between 14:00-16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Artists participating can be found here.
These "sneak peeks" includes a 10-minute excerpt from Oliver Bruck’s feature-length documentary on legendary African-born Italian photographer Mirella Ricciardi, whose 1971 book Vanishing Africa captured the beauty and dignity of African life. Oliver, one of ArtCinema’s first alumni, has been mentored and supported by ArtCinema for six months as he prepares his film for distribution, which he is now seeking.
We will also showcase sneak peeks of upcoming projects in Greece from co-productions and independent producers.
As part of our new Greek non-profit, ArtCinema Greece, we aim to foster an international community that develops and greenlights independent art and film from talented creators, regardless of background, as part of our year-round cultural programme. Our initiatives include workshops, residencies, and grants across film, art, and music.
We are closely aligned with the newly established Creative Greece agency under the Ministry of Culture to support Greek talent and promote European co-productions. Our strategic partners include DISFF, Producers Without Borders, Animasyros, Breaking Through the Lens, and BAFTA’s Head of Programmes, Mariayah Kaderbhai.
ArtCinema is thrilled to be screening Venice Film Festival's opener 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' directed by Tim Burton.
The film stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara reprising their roles from the original 1988 film, alongside new cast members Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe.
Set more than three decades after the first Beetlejuice, it follows Lydia Deetz, now a mother, struggling to keep her family together in the wake of a loss as the specter 'Betelgeuse' returns to haunt her.
ArtCinema wishes to specially thank Tanweer Alliance's General Manager, Yannis Kalfakakos for making this screening possible.
During the evening The Hydra Art Hub will unveil their film inspired work-in-progress artworks from ArtCinema’s local workshops.
ArtCinema is delighted to welcome producers and directors Paul Toogood and Lloyd Stanton to Hydra for the presentation of their documentary, The Warhol Effect. This new film delves into the later work, life, and enduring legacy of Andy Warhol, whose output during the 1970s and 80s has received relatively little attention despite his immense influence.
From surviving an assassination attempt to his prolific return to painting, The Warhol Effectexplores Warhol’s evolution as an artist and his lasting impact on contemporary culture. Through interviews with his friends and prominent contemporary artists, the film offers a fresh perspective on this enigmatic figure who continues to shape the art world today.
The Warhol Effect builds into a fascinating new portrait of a man about whom so much has been said. It features original interviews with artists such as Urs Fischer, Mickalene Thomas, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Jeff Koons, Marilyn Minter, Tom Sachs, Julian Schnabel, Sarah Sze, Josué Thomas, and Jordan Wolfson, alongside prominent figures such as Bruno Bischofberger, Peter Brant, Paige Powell, Bob Colacello, Jeffrey Deitch, Vincent Fremont, Larry Gagosian, Tama Janowitz, Kim Kardashian, Debbie Harry, and Chris Stein.

Public screening Venice Film Festival's opener 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' directed by Tim Burton at the Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Premiere Screening of Documentary Film ‘The Warhol Effect’ at Gardenia Open-Air Cinema will be presented by Producers and Directors Paul Toogood & Lloyd Stanton

Our ‘Sneak Peeks’ included a 10-minute excerpt from Oliver Bruck’s feature-length documentary on legendary African-born Italian photographer Mirella Ricciardi

Before the ‘Beetlejuice,Beetlejuice’ screening the Hydra Art Hub will unveiled their film inspired work-in-progress artworks from ArtCinema’s local workshops.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6
WELLNESS, CREATIVITY
& CLOSING NIGHT

Since the mid-20th century Hydra emerged as a haven for International Artists. It began attracting more painters, poets, and musicians, such as Leonard Cohen.
ArtCinema Hydra encourages our guests and community to discover Hydra's local artists and invites you to arrange studio visit times between 14:00-16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Artists participating can be found here.
We're hosting a fun family friendly evening of Cinema & Souvlaki for our local community.
*Souvlaki will be served and some refreshments, Meat and vegetarian options available. Please bring water for hydration.
Artistic Director of DISFF, Yannis Sakaridis, who is also an acclaimed film director and screenwriter, will present his selection of DISFF Travel short films from the Drama International Short Film Festival.
The Drama International Short Film Festival is Greece’s leading short film festival, based in the picturesque city of Drama. DISFF is an Oscar qualifying festival for national and international Competitions, with nominated filmmakers qualifying for the European Film Awards (EFA) as well.
DISFF showcasing the best new films from Greece and around the world, alongside parallel events including a Short Film Hub pitching lab, film market, interviews, masterclasses, concerts, book presentations, panels, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and professionals.
ArtCinema is excited to announce a special community screening of two episodes from the international series So Long, Marianne in Hydra. This event is a celebration of the community’s vital role in supporting the filming of the series last summer.
So Long, Marianne - a co-production between Norway, Canada, and Greece - takes its name from the iconic song by Leonard Cohen, a longtime resident of Hydra. The series beautifully captures Cohen's deep love affair with Marianne Ihlen, the muse who inspired him after their meeting in the 1960s.
This special screening will be attended by the series' British producer Richard Tulk-Hart from Buccaneer Media, along with representatives from the Greek partners Tanweer Productions and Cosmote TV, the series broadcaster in Greece.
Set against the enchanting backdrop of Hydra in the late 1960s, So Long, Marianne tells the intimate story of two individuals - lost, lonely, and searching for purpose - who find love during a transformative period in their lives. As Cohen rises to fame as one of the most celebrated singers of all time, their connection is tenderly portrayed by Alex Wolff and Thea Sofie Loch Næss. The series dramatises the lives of struggling artists yearning to make a difference, with Cohen and Ihlen at the heart of this movement.

Hydra, famed for its tranquil atmosphere, where the absence of cars enhances its ability to inspire an artist’s creativity. ArtCinema Hydra assistsed in connecting our guests with activities ranging from Yoga, Swimming, Hiking & Horse Riding

‘Cinema & Souvlaki’ held at Kamini Port invited to local community to participate in an open social environment before the screening of our Closinh Night Celebrations

We welcome all to a Public Screening of ‘So Long, Marianne’ at Kamini Port where we will be hosting a fun family friendly evening of ‘Cinema & Souvlaki’