Culture

The 51st Athens International Film + Video Festival to take place April 8-14

By: WOUB Culture Team
Posted on: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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ATHENS, Ohio – The Athens International Film + Video Festival is set to happen April 8-14 at the Athena Cinema in uptown Athens, spotlighting 215 films in competition, submitted from over 50 countries.

Fourteen full-length movies along with a diverse selection of short films from around the world are set to be showcased and vie for top honors at the yearly festival. Independent judges will determine the victors, who stand to receive cash rewards and accolades, including recognition from the Academy in specific categories. The upcoming festival promises a lineup of special gatherings, movie showcases, and post-screening celebrations.

The lineup of visiting artists at AIFVF includes the debut of Dandelion, directed by Nicole Riegel, a native of Jackson, Ohio. Festival veteran Jodi Wille returns with her documentary Welcome Space Brothers, delving into the UFO religious movement of the 1970s and the pioneering efforts of The Unarius Academy of Science. Also on the jury is filmmaker Dylan Mars Greenberg from New York City, showcasing her unique fantasy feature Spirit Riser.

Internationally acclaimed experimental filmmaker Michael Robinson completes the 51st AIFVF jury. He will present his work exploring the emotional dynamics of mainstream media, the transformative power of sorrow, and the fluidity of our shared realities.

As in past years, all screenings and events are free for students due to the generosity of Arts for Ohio. Students can pick up tickets on the day of each screening at the Athena Cinema box office. Professors are also encouraged to bring their classes to the festival because of the wide range of topics presented.

Founded in 1973, the Athens International Film + Video Festival has been presenting the best in international film for 51 years. Known globally as a festival that supports cinema from independent, underground and marginalized populations, the AIFVF represents the values that we share as a community. For over five decades, the festival has embraced experimental, narrative, animation, and documentary, short-form and feature length films from every corner of the globe.

The Athens International Film + Video Festival is administered by The Athens Center for Film and Video, a project of the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University.

The full schedule and ticket information will be available at www.athensfest.org soon.

Requests for ASL interpreters and other accessibility requests can be sent to athensohiofilmfest@gmail.com.