Press Release
Panel Discussion: Cinema in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: The Role of the Creator
17th Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival
“Shift Your Gaze to the Unseen”
November 14, 2026 | Greek Film Archive, Athens
The 17th edition of Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival themed “Shift Your Gaze to the Unseen” is organizing the 4th BBB Cine Forum. Continuing its exploration of the relationship between cinema and artificial intelligence, for one more year, the festival presents an open discussion titled: Cinema in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: The Role of the Creator, taking place on November 14 2026 from 17.00 to 18.00 at Greek Film Archive in Athens.
As Artificial Intelligence radically influences the way we write, shoot and experience cinema, creators and industry professionals gather to discuss new artistic possibilities, emerging challenges and ethical dilemmas. What is the role of the creator into this new era and how can we make sure that technology remains a tool for human expression and creation?
Through this open discussion and the presentations of the distinguished speakers, participants will have the opportunity to come across useful information regarding the possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence, using lived examples across various stages of filmmaking, as well as discuss the role of the director in this emerging AI era. The discussion is addressed to audiovisual professionals, content creators and the general public.
The panel will host Dr. Nikolaos Aletras, PhD in Film Studies from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, independent producer, director, screenwriter, and author of the book AI-Assisted Filmmaking; Evi Stamou, director; Bettina Enigl, Creative Video Editor, as well as Taxiarchis Deligiannis and Vasilis Tsiouvaras, directors and screenwriters. The discussion will be moderated by Dimitris Argyriou, director, festival programmer, and head of the BBB Filmexploring AI competition program
Following the panel, at 18:15, there will be a screening of the festival’s special competition programme, BBB Filmexploring AI, featuring films from the Balkans and beyond that stand out for their creative perspective, competing for the BBB Creative AI Award.
Participants:
Nikolaos Aletras, PhD in Film Studies (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), independent producer, director, screenwriter, author of AI-Assisted Filmmaking.His research interests focus on the application of artificial intelligence in film production, digital distribution, and 3D animation production. He served as Artistic Director of the Larissa International Film Festival (2009–2017) and is a member of PEKK and FIPRESCI.
Evi Stamou, award-winning director, producer, researcher, and PhD candidate at the University of the Aegean (Department of Cultural Technology and Communication), based in Athens. She studied Political Economy at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Film at the Lykourgos Stavrakos Film and Television School, and holds a Master’s degree in Documentary Production from the University of the Aegean.
Bettina Enigl, is a creative video editor, whose work bridges traditional filmmaking and generative cinema. She is a senior video editor at the Vienna-based production company Das Rund and has worked across commercials, trailers, documentaries and feature films. Her AI shorts Nine Lives, which she wrote, directed and edited, and 2126, which she directed and edited, have screened at international AI film festivals and been named finalists. Her background also includes more than a decade of analog photography, a practice that continues to shape her approach to light, composition and mood.
Taxiarchis Deligiannis, is a director and screenwriter. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, he served as a jury member at the Ascona Film Festival in Switzerland. He is a member of the Hellenic Film Academy (HFA), the Greek Documentary Association (GDA), the Society of Greek Film Directors, and ASIFA HELLAS – Greek Animation Association.His work has been selected and awarded at international film festivals, such as the Drama International Short Film Festival, Animasyros International Animation Festival, and the Athens International Film Festival ‘Nights of Premiere’, and he has been honored with an IRIS Award by the Hellenic Film Academy
Vasilis Tsiouvaras, director and screenwriter, and member of the Hellenic Film Academy (HFA), the Greek Documentary Association (GDA), the Society of Greek Film Directors, and ASIFA HELLAS – Greek Animation Association. His work has been selected and awarded at international film festivals, such as the Drama International Short Film Festival, Animasyros International Animation Festival, and the Athens International Film Festival ‘Nights of Premiere’, and he has been honored with an IRIS Award by the Hellenic Film Academy.
Moderator:
Dimitris Argyriou, is a filmmaker and festival curator holding a Master of Arts from the Ionian University and the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin). He has directed 11 award-winning short films that have screened at over 1,000 international film festivals, as well as two feature documentaries: Lights Out, Berlin! (limited theatrical release in Germany) and Memories of Occupation & Dialogue for the Future, which is officially used as educational material in German schools.
Event Details:
Open Discussion: Cinema in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: The Role of the Creator
Date: Saturday, November 14th 2026
Time: 17.00 – 18.00
Venue: Greek Film Archive, Athens
Registration form: Register your participation here.
Screening: Special Competition Program “BBB Filmexploring AI” (Films from the Balkans and beyond)
Date: Friday, November 13th 2026
Time: 18.00
Venue: Greek Film Archive, Athens
A Q&A session with creators will follow
Ticket: 5€ Unemployed and People with Disabilities: 3€
Available from 9/11 https://tickets.tainiothiki.gr/
The discussion will be in English
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