Onassis Culture at the 49th Drama International Short Film Festival
Onassis Culture is once again attending the grand celebration of short films, supporting independent Greek cinema and its filmmakers.
Creators of the movie "Wheel to Live", Nikos Tsongedis & Vicky Anastasiadou
Onassis Culture furthers its long-standing collaboration with the country’s most revered short film festival, strengthening the artistic production of young creators. Each year, it presents the Onassis Film Awards to filmmakers participating in the National Competition Program, supporting the next step in their creative journey.
This year's award, which was accompanied by a cash prize of 5,000 euros for the production of a feature-length film, was handed to “Wheel to Live” of Vicky Anastasiadou.
With its direct storytelling, intense physicality, and simple cinematography, the film stands out. Inspired by the true story of screenwriter and lead actor Nikos Tsongedis, who became disabled after an accident, “Wheel to Live” tells a deeply human story about the body, transformation, and reshaping life.
The film was also chosen as the big winner of the 49th Drama Short Film Festival, earning the Golden Dionysus and the opportunity to be considered for the Oscars. It also won the Audience Award and, in the National Competition Program, the Greek Federation of Film Societies (OKLE) Award.
Creator of the movie "Free Eliza", Alexandra Matheou
Onassis Culture embraces the process of creation, research, and artistic development. For the first time in 2023, it organized “Open Call: Big Short Films,” an open call to Greek and foreign filmmakers to submit their proposals for short films.
One of the films that emerged from this initiative is “Free Eliza (The Unlikely Story of an Anatomical Anomaly)” by Alexandra Matheou, which was selected as one of the five winning entries of the Big Short Films 2024 Open Call.
Creator of the movie "Free Eliza", Alexandra Matheou
Co-produced by Onassis Culture, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight and went on to receive major distinctions at the 49th Drama International Short Film Festival.
In the National Competition Programme, it won the Best Female Performance Award for Grigoria Metheniti’s role as Eliza, and the Best Script Award, while in the International Competition Programme it earned a nomination for the European Film Academy Award.
Accepting the award, Alexandra Matheou dedicated it to those who have the courage to live truthfully and resist conformity, noting: “It’s worth fighting to be ourselves.”
“Free Eliza” is produced by This Is The Girl Films, in co-production with the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Onassis Culture, La Cellule Productions, Homemade Films, and Everybodies.
