The International Panorama of Independent Film Makers (http://www.independent.gr/) having existed for 9 years hopes that it had presented an effluence of sounds and pictures which united various cultures and  promote diversity. Our goal is to continue "the dream of art's freedom ".  In the 9th International Panorama people met and bonds made in a cultural event which took place in the city where it belongs, far from the fake star system, in the era of globalization, demonstrations, street fights between protesters and the police, in a time when freedom in expressing oneself is not truism. 

The 9th International Panorama took place in Patras from the 21st  till the 29th of September 2007, with the ultimate goal of becoming the "International Film Festival of Patras". Patras is a city with a long history in international festivals and it is high time it hosted it's very own film festival.

Our participants have already sent us 217 movies from 56 countries, including feature films, short films, cartoons, animations, documentaries, video art, video clips and internet experimental videos. The festival divided in 5 parts: "Cinema, sea of peace", "Greek Panorama", "In the ends of the world", "Walking through Europe" and "Balkan neighbourhood". The films competing for the prizes are divided in two categories: Greek and international.

Believing in the freedom of expression, and in the right every director has to speak their mind, all films projected without a preliminary committee, and we did not exclude anyone. We respect each culture and each nation's values as well as those of each director individually.

On Saturday the 29th of September the awards of the 9th International Panorama of Independent Film Makers (http://www.independent.gr/) were given and the curtains feel in a festive mood. The festival was organized by the urban not-for- profit organization "International Panorama of Independent Film & Video makers" in co-operation with the editorial committee of the on-line magazine for alternative culture "Cineek" http://www.cineek.gr/  from the 21st  till the 29th of September in Patras in the theatre of "Lithografeion". 

Special awards were also given as well as the awards for the  Photography Contest which was themed "filming".

The International Panorama showed that it has a great and fruitful future by giving the chance to video and film makers from all over the globe to express themselves freely, respecting each one individually. It is the only festival (a pioneer at it's kind) in South and Eastern Europe which allows all films to be played without preliminary committees, without censorship and control.

Lest we forget, many organizations have expressed their interest to show the award winning films of the 9th Panorama in more than 40 cities and municipalities in Greece. 

In the crowded hall in the theatre of "Lithografeion" Mr Chionidis Panagiotis invited Mr George Aggelopoulos (President at the Culture Company of Perfecture of Achaia and instead of Mr Dimitrios Katsikopoulos, Perfect of Achaia) to take the book with 3500 signs of Patras city citizens which they demand that the International Panorama will become the International Film festival of Patras.

First Mrs. Joanna Papaioannou (member of the critics committee) read the decision:

 "Over the past four months, funny, moving, daily, artistic, multicultural, human pictures have kept us company, invading our life and reversing our daily routine. Being members of the judging committee of which homogeneity certainly concerns sex (all of us being women, residents of Patras and active citizens) was for us an interesting and prolific experience.

Different attributes of each one of us did not constitute obstacles but created the means for a fertile dialogue. In our meetings, everyone expressed their views freely, keeping at the same time to their particular character. This freedom and diversity brought a holistic approach to our judgment and led us to a convergence of opinions and to a final unanimous result.

The criteria for our choices were:

• Aesthetic: Our perception was a modern one, not a mass consumer's one, intending to distinguish originality and avant-garde.
• Social: We were fascinated by films that managed the question of human relations, films of which the content concerns human rights, the environment, multiculturalism and sustainability.
• Technical: We picked up films with interesting montage, picture, sound.

We were influenced by the fact that most of the films were of new creators and we selected films that have the freshness of an juvenile impulse.

The 9th "Panorama of Independent Film and Video Creators - The World Cinematographic Festival of Patras" is a great effort, and opening to the international community of art for our city (which needs it). However, we have to mention that it definitely needs bigger support both from institutions and people alike.

We will also be present at the 10th "Panorama of Independent Film and Video Creators - The World Cinematographic Festival of Patras"

We shall be present at the continuation of this effort.

The members of the judging committee:

• Anthi Tomara: (Secondary Education Teacher, artist, founding member and member of the Board of Directors of the Cinematographic Club of Patras.)
• Maro Galani: (Choreographer - lecturer of arts at the University of Patras.)
• Litsa Siadaresi: (Founding member of the Non-government Organization of Patras "Citizens in Action", sector of the human rights.)
• Ioanna Papaioannou: (Geologist - MSc in Environmental Sciences, Head of the Department of Environmental Education.)
• Aliki Avdelopoulou: (Actor, founding member of the Industrial Theatre "Lithographion" team

And then the awards were given by:

Mr Dimitrios Dougenis (Vrector at the University of Patras city

Mr George Zepatos (President of Achaias Chamber)

The award winning films are the following:

              International competition

Best feature film «The High Cost of Living» by Leonard Lai Yok Wai, Singapore  96'

Best short film «The market»  by Ana Husman, Croatia, 10'

Best documentary «Human development» by  David Munoz Norway/Nigeria 30'

Best video art «Labirint»  by Krunoslav Pticar  Croatia   9' 56''

Best animation «The Bungee Jump Skeleton man» by Rune Eriksson & Erik Eriksson,  Norway  3'

Special awards:

At the video art «Traffic» by Eytan Ipeker  Turkey  6' 40''

At the feature film «The summer solstice»  by Li RuiJun China 106'

At the documentary Iranian Kidney, Bargain Sale» by Nima Sarvestani Sweden 52'

And at the short film for people with infirmity, «And you?»  by Ferenc Boldvai   Hungary 10' 12''

                        Greek competition

Best feature film "And if I leave... I return" by Dora Masklavanou

Best short film "Pyramid" by Papathanasis Dimitris

Best documentary "One life at history" by Zachos Samolathas

Best video art "Dream within a dream" by Anastasia Chrisanthakopoulou a.k.a natrYX

Best video dance "Liebestod - four actions" by Stathis Athanasiou

Special award

 For the ecological message at the documentary  «Under the surface - Gulf of Kavala» by George Kagialedakis

at the video art Pixel:ah by Martha Koumarianou

for the female role at Mrs Evaggelia Andreadaki at the film "Pyramid" by Papathanasis Dimitris

The editorial committee of on-line magazine for the alternative culture Cineek magazine http://www.cineek.gr/  granted the special reward that is established for the EMOTION OF THE FILM  to Argiris Tsepelikas and Aggeli Andrikopoulou for the film "Every day at 4 o'clock"

The council of the University of Patras city gave the award for the best anti-rasict film to 

"Clip clip is my life..." by Nikolaidis Athanasios, Kyrarinis Antonios and Sotiria Drivalou

The Photography contest awards:

Awarded projects

1st   award "5 + 1 senses" by Artemis Skoulika

2nd award   "The game" by Tsakalos Xristos

3rd  award   "...I wanted to know... where they will drive..." by Polyzos Nikos

Special award "...with out title.." by Kotsidis Ilias

The 9th International Panorama was supported by volunteer directors, designers, photographers and musicians

Organising:

The editorial committee of Cineek magazine («Cineek magazine-online http://www.cineek.gr/ ) and the Organizing committee of the 8th Panorama..

Sponsors:

General Secretariat of New Generation http://www.neagenia.gr/

University of Patras city http://www.upatras.gr/

Prefecture of Achaia

Chamber of Technological scientists

Communication Sponsors:

Radio stations:

Mojoradio107,7fm http://www.mojoradio.gr/ and Radio 108fm http://www.radiofono108.gr/

The portal http://www.gothess.gr/

The free press Anti -virus against violence http://www.avmag.gr/ 

Patras news website: http://www.mypatra.gr/ 

Magazine: BEAT magazine (part of Patras newspaper "Patra's world")