“Red Lion” Wins Best Experimental Mixed Media Short Film at the Paleochora Lost World Short Film Festival (Greece)

At the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival with Bruno Chatelin (filmfestivals.com), Olivia Hadjiioannou, (Director "Red Lion"), Paul McGuirk (Professor of Film & Author)

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“A special award should be given to the organizer Linda McGuire and to all the Ambassadors (the team) at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival. Accolades to the entire town of Paleochora in Crete for hosting a spectacular film festival in one of the most exceptionally beautiful places in the world.

The selection and caliber of films, all the directors present were top of the line and the hospitality and daily events surrounding the festival wonderful. Screenings at night in a graphic open air theater at town Hall among the warm and welcoming people of Paleochora.

During the day, more screenings at the club Pearl Cavo with expansive views of the Mediterranean Sea. Meet & Greet with Cretan wines and gourmet Greek food. Every evening networking with other directors at hip summer bars and clubs. I networked with more directors and made more friends in 5 days then I’ve made in the last 5 years.

From the first moment I was picked up by the kindest driver of the Psarakis taxi company to the accommodation at the amazing Aris Hotel⁠—the films, food, friendships. This is a jewel of a festival — be careful because you may not want to ever leave. ”

“Red Lion” won Best Experimental Mixed Media Short Film at the Paleochora Lost World Short Film Festival in SW Crete on June 1-5, 2019. “Red Lion” screened in an open-air theatre in front of the town hall on June 3^rd.

The Lost World festival was one of the first festivals to accept “Red Lion” this year. There were over 350 film submissions and 67 Officially Selected films from 19 countries. 20 of the International and Greek filmmakers & directors attended the festival from Brazil, USA, Germany, Ireland, UK, Greece & France.

The VIP Jury were Susan Kucera (Film Director), Paul McGuirk (Professor of Film & Author) and Bruno Chatelin (CEO FilmFestivals.com). Bruno, I had met at the French Riviera Film Festival in Cannes a few weeks ago.

There were two sets of screenings every day. During the day at Pearl Cavo and at night in an open-air cinema near the town hall in town. Every evening there were different events planned at some awesome bars and restaurants in Paleochora.

Paleochora is an exceptionally beautiful town at the southern-most tip of Crete in Greece. Surrounded by mountains and with views of the Mediterranean Sea. The people of the town were kind and welcoming. It was a great success and wonderful to spend so many days with so many wonderful artists, directors and actors.

Below are some of the wonderful people I met and their films.

Meet & Greet

The Festival launched with an opening day celebration which included a Gourmet Meet & Greet Wine buffet at Finikas-Palm Tree Restaurant in Paleochora. There I met the mayor, Antonios Perrakis who is also one of the owners of the restaurant. There was wonderful food prepared by chef Pantelis Kontomathios, and excellent wine by Loupakis Vineyard Estate. Met many directors and the festival ambassadors.

Ambassadors of the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival

Olivia Hadjiioannou at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival "Meet & Greet" at Palm Tree with Mayor of Paleochora - Antonios Perrakis — at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival "Meet & Greet" at Palm Tree with Mayor of Paleochora - Antonios Perrakis

at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival "Meet & Greet" at Palm Tree with chef Pantelis Kontomathios -Olivia Hadjiioannou — at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival "Meet & Greet" at Palm Tree with chef Pantelis Kontomathios

Olivia Hadjiioannou - great wine by Κτήμα Λουπάκη ,οινοποιείο — Excellent wine by Loupakis Vineyard Estate

Food at the Meet & Greet Paeochora Lost World Film Festival

Screenings at Pearl Cavo

The day screenings took place at Pearl Cavo, a venue on the outskirts of the town of Paleochora, overlooking the sea. Bruno Chatelin, veteran film distributor, film agent & CEO of FilmFestivals.com, (4 Woody Allen films, ‘Independence Day’, ‘Boyz in the Hood’ & ‘Field of Dreams’) gave a talk about the film industry at the Pearl Cavo venue on Sunday June 2^nd. I also met jury member, professor and writer Paul McGuirk of University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and The National Film School at IADT . And winner of the Best Greek Newcomer award for the short film, “The Bureaucrat” director Dimitrios Karas and actress Sophia Fytianou and director, Thomas Giannakis of the short film “The Good Son“.

Olivia Hadjiioannou with jury member, professor and writer Paul McGuirk, Olivia Hadjiioannou at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival — with jury member, professor and writer Paul McGuirk, Olivia Hadjiioannou at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival

With director Dimitrios Karas and actress Sophia Fytianou of the short film the short film, “The Bureaucrat”

short film, “The Bureaucrat” director Dimitrios Karas and actress Sophia Fytianou and director, Thomas Giannakis of the short film “The Good Son“.

Open Air Screenings Town Hall

In the evening open-air screenings took place in front of the town hall. There I met Best International Director, Gabriel Gallindo from Brasil whose short film “View” screened and Brasilian screenwriter from Amsterdam, Luis Eduardo Amaral. While looking for souvenirs for my Indiegogo backers, I met director Konstantinos Stragalinos from Greece of the film “Check In” winner of Best Greek Editing by Dimitris Kadis.

Olivia Hadjiioannou with Director, Gabriel Gallindo from Brazil of the short film “View” and screenwriter Luis Eduardo Amaral

Olivia Hadjiioannou with director Konstantinos Stragalinos from Greece of the film “Check In” — with director Konstantinos Stragalinos from Greece of the film “Check In”

Olivia Hadjiioannou - June 3rd screening "Red Lion" at the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival

Award Ceremony Town Hall

On the day of the awards ceremony “Red Lion” received Best Experimental Mixed Media Short Film. Shared first place with Director Mike Reft (USA) for ‘Chemistry 101“. I met the wonderful director Thodoris Vournas from Greece from the first day at the “Meet & Greet”. His awesome film “Without Milk” won 4 awards in the festival for Best Greek Director, Best Greek Film Cast, Best Cinematography Greek, Best Greek Short Fiction Film 2^nd.

Olivia Hadjiioannou With director Thodoris Vournas of the short film “Without Milk” — Olivia Hadjiioannou with director Thodoris Vournas of the short film “Without Milk”

Olivia Hadjiioannou with Director Mike Reft (USA) for "Chemistry 101", Bruno Chatelin and Paul McGuirk

Olivia Hadjiioannou with Greek director Thodoris Vournas of the short film “Without Milk” and Director, Gabriel Gallindo from Brazil of the short film “View”

Jeff Bridges feature documentary, “Living in the Future’s Past” directed by jury member Susan Kucera screened before the awards ceremony. He had a special message for us at the Lost World Film Festival.

Olivia Hadjiioannou Red Lion At the Paleochora Lost World Film Festival Day Open Air Screenings Town Hall

International & Greek Short Films in SW Crete

“Red Lion” was selected to participate in Paleochora Lost World Short Film Festival, 1-5 June 2019 in Paleochora, Crete.

The 1st Paleochora Lost World Short Film Festival takes place 1-5 June 2019. The VIP judging panel includes director and cinematographer Susan Kucera who is currently working with Academy award winner actor Jeff Bridges on documentary “Living in the Futures Past”. Bruno Chatelin the co-founder of FilmFestivals.com and who was responsible for the launch of over 250 films during his tenure as Marketing Director and Managing Director for Columbia TriStar Films and Twentieth Century FOX. Paul McGuirk author and lecturer in film studies at undergraduate and postgraduate level in University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and The National Film School at IADT.

The First Paleochora Lost World Short Film Festival launches in June 2019 in Crete. The festival focuses on short films of all genres which great storytelling. The ‘Lost World’ of Paleochora nestles between the Mountains and Sea in South West Crete and is the perfect location for Filmmakers to convene to show their work, network with colleagues and enjoy our fabulous Cretan hospitality. The festival also presents a keynote on Film Festival Strategy by Film Festival veteran Bruno Chatelin of filmfestivals.com and a Masterclass with Q&A by Chania based INDIGO VIEW Film Production Team.

Linda McGuire – Festival Director

Film Festival Website

Lost World Film Festival on Facebook

Lost World Film Festival on Twitter

Lost World Film Festival on YouTube

RED LION

The numinous Red Lion illuminates the road of the warrior goddess Metallia to restore the ever-present multidimensional vision long lost to humanity.

Red Lion has the inner Fire but only in potential. He eats matter when given his freedom and does the work of Nature. He inspires intelligence, imagination and life but he can not escape the prison of the Earth plane and can not free himself though his own power. A special key is necessary to dissolve the chains of the Earth.

Director/composer Olivia Hadjiioannou (aka Oh.) presents a consciousness-expanding visual and acoustic odyssey within a multidimensional psychedelic landscape.

Inspired by scenes from Federico Fellini’s, “8 1/2”, Lewis Carroll’s, “Alice in Wonderland”, Maurice Sendak’s, “Where the Wild Things Are”, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s, “The Little Prince” and ancient Greek myth.

“Red Lion” is the first in a six-part series of animated music videos by the multi-instrumentalist, Oh. for the progressive metal album “Metallia“.