60 short films have been shot in a small village in Zagori
For the past 16 summers, the serene village of Kato Pedina in Zagorio transforms into a bustling cinema hub. Nestled 40 km from the Greek-Albanian border at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, this picturesque village plays host to Zagoriwood, a unique film festival replete with workshops, screenings, music, and theatrical performances.
Visitors to this quaint village – from film industry professionals and multimedia enthusiasts to casual movie lovers – immerse themselves not only in the cinematic festivities but also in the rich local culture. They interact with the villagers, participate in local traditions, and indulge in the local cuisine. The villagers too play an active role in the festival, featuring in student films and providing homes and venues for filming.
“The vision of a village serving as a springboard for budding filmmakers, and the allure of watching a film surrounded by stone structures and the chirping of nightingales, led us to join the cinematic dance in 2010.”
In my quest to learn more about Zagoriwood, I spoke with Vangelio Retali, who moved to the village in the late 1990s from Nafplio, via Thessaloniki and Ioannina. Along with her partner, Panos Magos, she ran the village café for two decades, where the concept of the film festival was born. She shared with us their journey to Kato Pedina and how their lives have unfolded since.
“I was born in Nafplio and studied agricultural technology in Thessaloniki, where I met my life partner, Panos Magos. We initially decided to make our home in Ioannina, his birthplace.
I was instantly smitten with Kato Pedina. It was a tranquil, stone-built village with cobbled streets, nestled amidst lush greenery and embraced by mountains. It was like a fairy tale come alive before my eyes.
In the late 1990s, we decided to make this enchanting village our home. Ioannina, with its hustle and bustle, was too overwhelming for us. The idea of living in a house built in the 1800s was simply irresistible.
Although we willingly chose this life, the transition was challenging. However, with the support of the villagers, my friends from Ioannina, and my family from Nafplio, I was able to navigate through this phase. Country life is tough, particularly during the harsh winters, and loneliness can be daunting. But if you can find harmony within yourself and with those around you, equilibrium is guaranteed.
Once we found our rhythm, life flowed smoothly and continues to do so.”
For two decades, we operated a small village café, providing a sanctuary for locals and an ever-growing number of visitors to enjoy food, tsipouro, or dessert. Our days were filled with lively interactions, always surrounded by people.
Winter in our village is a time for reading, crafts, and movies, while summer is marked by mountain walks and a flurry of household chores such as tending the garden and cooking for friends.
Regrettably, the number of permanent residents in Kato Pedina is dwindling. As the elder generation passes away, their houses are shuttered because their descendants have established lives and responsibilities in the cities. Zagori, like the rest of the Greek countryside, is struggling to sustain itself in the face of increasing urbanization.
Personally, I have no regrets about choosing to live in the village. Over the years, city life has become unbearable. For anyone contemplating a similar move, I would encourage them to take the leap. It’s not an easy decision, but life is short and, in my opinion, the good life can be found in a small place.
Zagoriwood was conceived one afternoon in 2009 over tsipouro and meze in a café. That’s when I met Giorgos Makris, a screenwriter and actor introduced to us by our friend Filiot. Thus, two dreamers found each other. Panos had a dream of establishing film production workshops in his village to spotlight rural life and its environment. George wanted to bring together film and theater enthusiasts in a small setting to impart their knowledge to those interested in cinema.
The idea of transforming a village into a hub for budding filmmakers and the thought of watching a film surrounded by stone walls and the sweet song of nightingales spurred us to action. From 2010, we joined the world of filmmaking.
Zagoriwood is a 15-day festival that guides participants through the entire filmmaking process, from concept to script to screening. Concurrently, we run workshops on film scoring, on-camera acting, documentary filmmaking, animation, and film production organization.
For the past five years, we’ve also introduced a competition segment, Zagori Planet. This competition invites entries from 12 Balkan countries, focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment. We also partner with the PDSFF Positively Different Short Film Festival, which highlights themes of diversity, intersectionality, and justice.
Over 16 years, more than 500 students have produced 60 full-length short films, some of which are true masterpieces. Considering these films are produced within 15 days, from concept to screening, it’s nothing short of magical. You can find all our content on our YouTube channel, zagoriwood.
From the outset, our core team has included documentary filmmakers Hrysa Tzelepi and Akis Kersanidis alongside George. We’ve also been fortunate to host guest lectures from distinguished creators in their respective fields, with names like Yannis Economidis, Nikos Kipourgis, Grigoris Karantinakis, Margarita Manda, Petros Sevastikoglou, Yannis Tsortekis, Marissa Triantafyllidou, and many others.
As part of the festival, we’ll be screening both feature-length and short films, with a focus on Greek productions, in the central square of Kato Pedinas. This year, we have planned to show “Flow – The Cat Who Wasn’t Afraid of Water” by Gids Zibalontis, “Back Home” by Chrysa Tzelepis and Akis Kersanidis, “Wonderful Days”, “Hunting” by Christos Pytharas, among others. Every weekend from July 5th to 20th, these screenings will transform the square of Kato Pedinas into an open-air cinema, offering free admission. All the details can be found on our website, zagoriwood.gr, as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Looking ahead, our goal is to establish collaborations with similar festivals across Europe. We’re also keen to partner with smaller domestic festivals to help broaden the audience’s understanding of cinema and its relationship with society.”
zagoriwood.gr
Facebook: Zagoriwood
Instagram: @zagoriwood
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