The 31st Athens International Film Festival “Athens Premiere Nights” will officially open on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Megaron Concert Hall, with the Greek premiere of the spectacular “Bugonia”, directed by Yiorgos Lanthimos. Honoring its rich history while looking toward the future, the 31st edition of the festival begins its cinematic journey in the most radiant way possible, with the year’s most eagerly awaited film.
About the film:
“Bugonia” is one of Giorgos Lanthimos’ most delightfully crafted films, featuring a stellar performance by Emma Stone. The story reflects the contemporary numbing of a world manipulated by fake news, endless apocalyptic thinking, and heightened paranoia, intensified by the COVID era. Balancing comedy and drama, the film follows the kidnapping and captivity of a ruthless pharmaceutical CEO by two men who have been so influenced by conspiracy theories that they believe she is an alien sent to systematically bring about humanity’s destruction.
Starting with a plot that questions the dangers of misinterpreting truth in a world obsessed with distortion, Lanthimos propels the story toward a delirious third act, answering with sardonic humor a long-standing cinematic question: Does humanity deserve to be saved, despite its repeated misdeeds and transgressions?
Festival Details:
The 31st Athens International Film Festival “Athens Premiere Nights” will run from October 1 to 12, 2025, with major support from the Hellenic Film Commission (EKOME), sponsorship by Nova, in partnership with the Athens Municipality’s Organization of Culture, Sports & Youth (OPANDA), and under the auspices and financial support of the Ministry of Culture.
Screenings will take place at: Danaos I, Cinobo Opera I, Astor, Asty, Trianon, Megaron Concert Hall, Olympia Municipal Music Theatre “Maria Callas”, and the Onassis Foundation Cultural Center.
The full program will be announced on Wednesday, September 24 on aiff.gr and cinemagazine.gr, with ticket pre-sales starting Thursday, September 25 for special passes, and Friday, September 26 at 12:00 PM for general audiences.
These nights remain unforgettable!
#AIFF31
