The 1st International CIFEJ Symposium successfully held in Athens – A new era for children’s and youth cinema begins

The 1st International Symposium of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) was successfully held on Monday, May 5, 2025, in a large auditorium at the European Parliament Office in Athens. The event was co-organized by CIFEJ and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (E.K.K.O.ME.D.).

Under the title “Storytelling through Kids & Media: Audience development across regional, national and cultural borders for future generations”, the event marked the official launch of CIFEJ’s new headquarters in Athens, after 14 years of presence in Tehran, and initiated a new chapter of international cooperation in the field of children’s and youth audiovisual content.

The event hosted globally recognized guests from Europe, the USA, Canada, India, Iran, South Africa, and other countries. Representatives of UNESCO, the European Children’s Film Association (ECFA), as well as members of the CIFEJ Board of Directors, were also present.

Representatives of **UNESCO**, the **European Children’s Film Association (ECFA)** and members of the **CIFEJ Board of Directors**

The Minister of Culture of Greece, Dr. Lina Mendoni, in her remote greeting, described the symposium as “a landmark and highly promising beginning,” emphasizing the significance of CIFEJ’s relocation to Greece. The Minister referred to cinema as a powerful tool for shaping social consciousness, especially among younger generations, and acknowledged Greece’s contribution to the global cultural scene. She expressed warm thanks to all involved, and to Ms. Athina Rikaki, honorary president of CIFEJ, for her decisive role in making this vision a reality.

The CEO of E.K.K.O.ME.D. – Creative Greece, Mr. Leonidas Christopoulos, emphasized the importance of this new, hopeful chapter for CIFEJ in Athens, especially in today’s turbulent international context. He noted that the relocation was the result of collective effort and reaffirmed E.K.K.O.ME.D.’s commitment to acting as a reliable partner in advancing innovative policies and content in the field of children’s and youth cinema.

Mr. Vassilis C. Karamitsanis, Secretary General of CIFEJ and President of ANIMASYROS, described the event as a historic moment for children’s and youth cinema in Greece. He further highlighted that the efforts of Minister Mendoni and Ms. Rikaki to promote the strategic positioning of children’s audiovisual content are now becoming a tangible reality, thanks to the united forces of CIFEJ and E.K.K.O.ME.D. – Creative Greece.

As the national host organization, E.K.K.O.ME.D. – Creative Greece, and CIFEJ, through the trust it has placed in the Greek film community, are jointly opening a new channel of dialogue, exchange, and collaboration.

The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the European Parliament Office in Greece.