Open Call: Big Short Films 2023

Submission deadline: January 30, 2023

Onassis Culture is, for the first time, inviting Greek and international filmmakers and producers based in Greece to submit proposals for new films. Five short films will receive funding to go into production.

Onassis Culture supports Greek cinema, unleashing the talent and potential of emerging filmmakers and embracing their creative processes, research approaches, and artistic development. It is putting out an open call for the first time, inviting Greek and international filmmakers to submit their proposals for fictional and documentary shorts, be they live-action or animated. Submissions are to be judged by the Onassis Culture team, and must be co-produced by a Greek production company. Five of the proposed projects will each receive funding of between 5,000 and 15,000 euros each. The selected short films will then go into production, setting off on their journey towards the big screen to encounter Greek and international audiences at film festivals across the world.

Short films harbor big emotions. Submit your proposal by January 30, 2023.

Candidates who wish to submit an application must create a personal account at the Onassis Directory through the below link and they can fill in the application and upload the required supporting documents gradually until the deadline for submissions.

The submission of an application as part of this Open Call constitutes the complete and unreserved acceptance of its terms.

Submitted film proposals can be based either on an original screenplay, or on a pre-existing idea (with proof of copyright, or an option on a pre-existing work). The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its selection. It is expressly stated here that the submission of a proposal does not entail the transfer of any copyright over the work to Onassis Culture. Any such transfer of copyright shall occur only, and as necessary, in the event a proposal is selected, and by means of a written agreement to be signed after the announcement of the results. The exact amount of funding each selected film proposal shall receive is to be decided on a case-by-case basis, and is contingent on the number of submissions to be selected. The results are to be announced four months after the submission deadline.

For further information regarding the announcement, the relevant terms and the supporting documents please review the Rules and Regulations or contact through email: film@onassis.org

Οnassis Cinema. New films. New worlds.

Onassis Culture is pursuing lasting investment in Greek cinema and playing an active role in artistic creation. It is supporting established filmmakers and rising talent by funding screenplay development – such projects as “Liar Man” by Manolis Mavris, “Rocks in the Head” by Yannis Economides and Vangelis Mourikis, “Women of 1922” by Aris Kaplanidis, “Bastards” by Nikos Pastras, and the documentary film “The Public Private House” by Tassos Langis. And it is facilitating the production of films – such projects as “Cora” by Evi Kalogiropoulou, “Wild Days” by Vasilis Kekatos (his debut feature-length film), and “The Crossing” by Aineias Tsamatis and Katerina Mavrogeorgi.Onassis Culture is also forging partnerships with such major institutions as the Hellenic Film Academy, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the Drama International Short Film Festival, and the Athens International Film Festival – Opening Nights to bolster Greek film, both at home and around the world. It has launched a series of film awards to support the development of new screenplays and the production of new films, and is helping to showcase new Greek releases, both in cinemas and online – such projects as “Dodo” by Panos Koutras and “Broadway” by Christos Massalas. Most recently supporting the Cannes Film Festival screening of its production “On Xerxes’ Throne” by Evi Kalogiropoulou, which won the Canal+ Short Film Award as part of Critic’s Week 2022, Onassis Culture is continuing to champion Greek cinema this year too – its every expression, in all its forms.