Catherine Esway

What's new in the market this year?

The big difference this year is that all the documentaries are digitalised now, so all the buyers but also the press and the guests can see the documentary films anytime they want in individual rooms. Priority given to the buyers of course!

There are 479 documentaries available in the market, both from the festival's selection and other documentary films from major production companies, with more than 60 interested buyers.  This year, 20 new buyers from Europe, the United States and Canada came to Thessaloniki, whereas people from major broadcasting channels, such as Canal+, Alejeziras, Arte, Catalunya TV, and ERT, continue to come.  The most important thing is to help the Greek audience see documentaries from abroad, as well as distribute, promote and sell our own productions.

Documentary films are little shown on Greek TV.  They are only broadcasted on ERT, the Greek public TV, and a private channel, SKAI. Having said that, Mega channel also broadcasts some documentaries, but they have their own production. One of them was in the festival's selection : War Zone : The Miracle.

Catherine Esway, assisted by Julianna Photopoulos