Aims to promote cinema for children & young people, connected with education & innovation. Establishes a creative relationship with the art of cinema.
Olympia IFF for Children & Young People is the only one of its kind in Greece. Olympia IFF collaborates with a number of European festivals, university institutions, schools & other educational bodies, as well as with public and private organizations, in order to communicate its goals for the promotion of European films, supporting the European dimension, as well as geographical & linguistic diversity & approaching new population groups that don’t have satisfactory access to the cultural product. The ‘17 marked 20 years since Olympia IFF was founded, thus, its 20th Edition had a celebratory note. Its program (competition section, tributes, educational programs, satellite events etc.) included a total of 400 screenings & other events, enriched with activities highlighting the role it has played in promoting cinema for children & young people, mainly European, as well as in connecting cinema & education with innovative initiatives about film education, establishing a creative relationship for young people with the art of cinema & finally educating a future cinema audience.
Through its actions and initiatives, the festival has built long-lasting relationships with bodies & institutions operating on both a national (Greek Federation of Secondary State School Teachers, Teachers Federation of Greece, Greek Film Clubs Association etc) & a local level (Municipality Cultural Centers, municipal cinemas, Culture associations etc) cooperating with various stakeholders at all levels.
Resources needed
Estimated budget 350.000€ with contribution from public sources & own investment. A 3 Member Committee is responsible for implementation: Artistic director & programmer, general coordinator & the promotion manager. Support staff includes 5 additional staff members and 5 or more temporary associates.
Evidence of success
The average of main event’s spectators for past 4 years amounts to 28,700/year & for year-long activities 7,850. During the same period there is a gradual increase in the audience. In the number of spectators is due to the steadily increasing popularity & acceptance of the festival, as well as its wide acceptance by people from various social backgrounds, the dynamic audience of younger ages & the emphasis Olympia IFF places on decentralized activities, targeted events & increasing Nmr of films.
Difficulties encountered
In early 2018, Greek government announced the financing of a new permanent home for all festival activities in RWG with 8m.€. Funds will be used to renovate the old ASO Raisin Factory -as a new permanent home- in Pyrgos, offered by RWG, to create the necessary infrastructure & acquire equipment.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice is easily transferable to other locations, provided there is an appropriate venue, available funding (350.000,00 €) and human resources, incl. an art director, general coordinator, promotion manager, and several support staff members.
Successful implementation boosts the local/regional creative industries actors and organizations and provides opportunities for cultural exchange and for the promotion of local cultural products.
Main institution
OLYMPIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE - SOCIAL COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE (Olympia IFF – SCE)
Location
Δυτική Ελλάδα, Greece (Ελλαδα)