This is Athens City Festival

Screening of Historical Documentaries
2025-05-03 11:30 - 14:00 (Europe/Athens) | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

The “Adamantios Korais” Hall at the War Museum will host the screening of five historical documentaries, featuring rare archival footage that brings to life pivotal moments in military history—from the Balkan Wars (1912–13) and the Battle of Gallipoli (1915), to the victorious Battle of Skra (1918), the dramatic Battle of Crete (1941) and the Normandy Landings (1944).

These key events are presented through original footage, highlighting their strategic impact and the courage of those who took part.

Programme:
– The Balkan Wars 1912–13: Filming History (52′)
– The Battle of Gallipoli 1915: ANZAC (27′)
– The Battle of Skra, 1918 (22′)
– The Battle of Crete, May 1941 (25′)
– The Normandy Landings, June 1944 (5′)

Queer Movie Nights
2025-05-08 18:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-09 18:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-10 18:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-11 18:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-12 18:00 - 23:30 | Trianon Cinema, Kodrigktonos 21, Athens, Athens, 104 34, Greece
Queer Movie Nights is a one-of-a-kind celebration of LGBTQI+ cinema in Athens. Launched in May 2022 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Interphobia, the series has since evolved into a dedicated platform for screening queer short and feature films, as well as documentaries. Its mission is to create a safe, expressive space where queer stories from around the world can shine through the powerful lens of cinema.

Midnight Express: Μad Μax
2025-05-08 19:30 - 23:00 | National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Nymphon, Athens, Athens, 118 10, Greece
Midnight Express is the ultimate creation of our resident film guru, Akis Kapranos. After countless hours spent at the legendary midnight screenings of Alphaville and Cine Dexameni, he set out to bring that magic back to life. A chance for older generations to reminisce, for younger ones to discover, and for all of us to share in a peak cinematic experience. What could be better?

This time, Midnight Express steps out of the dark and under the stars. In the beautiful garden of the Athens Observatory, the cult classic Mad Max takes us back in time and reminds us what groundbreaking cinema is all about.

Booking required.

Midnight Express: Star Trek
2025-05-15 19:30 - 23:00 | National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Nymphon, Athens, Athens, 118 10, Greece
Midnight Express is the brainchild of film critic Akis Kapranos, inspired by a longing for the magical midnight screenings once held at legendary Athens cinemas like Alphaville and Cine Dexameni—a personal mission to bring them back to life.

Now, Midnight Express steps out of the dark and into the light. In the beautiful garden of the Athens Observatory, the original Star Trek film returns to the screen—a reminder of bold, visionary cinema. A chance for older generations to revisit it, for younger ones to discover it, and for everyone to share in a truly iconic viewing experience.

Booking required.

The Stones Speak
2025-05-18 11:30 - 13:00 | Epigraphic Museum, Tositsa 1, Athens, Athens, 106 82, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

Screening of Three Educational Documentaries A screening of three experiential teaching documentaries that use inscriptions displayed at the Museum as a starting point to narrate and dramatise significant events in ancient Greek history: The Birth of Theatre The Decree of Themistocles The Plague in Athens Pre-booking required: Reserve your place by calling the Epigraphic Museum at +30 210 88 47 576 or +30 210 82 32 950 (ext: 203, 205, 209), Monday to Friday, 08:00–14:00. Reservations open on 11 May at 12:00 (noon).

Midnight Express: Purple Rain
2025-05-22 19:30 - 23:00 | National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Nymphon, Athens, Athens, 118 10, Greece
Midnight Express is the brainchild of film critic Akis Kapranos, born from a deep nostalgia for the magical midnight screenings once held at historic cinemas like Alphaville and Cine Dexameni. His mission? To revive that shared passion for pure cinematic joy—so older generations can reminisce, younger ones can discover, and everyone can experience the thrill together.

This time, Midnight Express steps out of the theatre and into the open air. In the garden of the Athens Observatory, it screens Purple Rain—an iconic gem of 1980s pop culture.

Booking required.

Screening of Historical Documentaries
2025-05-24 11:30 - 14:00 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

The “Adamantios Korais” Hall at the War Museum will host screenings of five historical documentaries, featuring rare archival footage that brings to life pivotal moments in 20th-century military history.

From the Balkan Wars (1912–13) and the Battle of Gallipoli (1915) to the decisive victory at Skra (1918), the dramatic Battle of Crete (1941) and the Normandy Landings (1944), these films highlight the strategic importance and heroism of the forces involved through authentic, rarely seen footage.

Screenings include:
– The Balkan Wars 1912–13: Filming History (52’)
– The Battle of Gallipoli 1915: ANZAC (27’)
– The Battle of Skra, 1918 (22’)
– The Battle of Crete, May 1941 (25’)
– The Normandy Landings, June 1944 (5’)

Greek Cinema Nights
2025-05-26 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-05-27 20:00 - 23:00 | Eleftherias Park, Eleftherias Park, Athens, Athens, 115 21, Greece
The city’s summer cinema pops up at Eleftherias Park. Under the stars, on the grass, a colourful crowd gathers for four nights of open-air screenings—ready to be transported by the magic of the big screen and the very best of contemporary Greek cinema.

May 26: Buzzheart
May 27: The Summer with Carmen
June 1: Stella
June 1: Mythopathy

Hispanic Film Festival at Aello
2025-05-26 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-27 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-28 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-29 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-30 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-31 20:00 - 23:30 | Open Air Cinema “Aello”, Patission 140, Athens, Athens, 112 57, Greece
The best of Spanish-language cinema takes over Athens for an entire week in May. Visionary directors, acclaimed actors and celebrated screenwriters bring a breath of Spain, Chile, Argentina, Cuba and other beloved Spanish-speaking countries to the big screen.

Hispanic Film Festival at Ellinis
2025-05-26 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-27 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-28 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-29 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-30 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-31 20:00 - 23:30 | Open Air Cinema “Ellinis”, Leof. Kifissias 29, Athens, Athens, 115 23, Greece
A full week in May is dedicated to the highlights of Spanish-language cinema. Groundbreaking directors, renowned actors and celebrated screenwriters bring to Athens the spirit of Spain, Chile, Argentina, Cuba and other beloved Spanish-speaking countries—through stories that captivate, move and inspire.
