Event by the Department of Digital Arts and Cinema of NKUA in collaboration with KELKIP
The Department of Digital Arts and Cinema of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), in collaboration with KELKIP, is organizing an event as part of the presentation of the Looking China – Lens of World Youth Filmmakers program. During the event, short films created by students and graduates of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Crete, and the Stavrakos Film School will be screened. The Looking China program is implemented by the Academy of International Communication of Chinese Culture (AICCC).
The event, which will also be attended by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 19:00, at the Greek Film Archive (48 Iera Odos Street, Kerameikos Metro Station).
As seating is limited, admission to the event requires an invitation. In case there are available seats, those interested who send a message to info@kelkip.gr will be notified by March 20.
Looking China – Youth Film Program about China
The Looking China Youth Film Project is an annual cultural exchange initiative organized by the Academy of International Communication of Chinese Culture (AICCC) of Beijing Normal University, with the support of the Huilin Cultural Foundation.
The program involves young filmmakers and film students from around the world, who collaborate with Chinese students and producers. At the same time, professors from abroad are invited to supervise the films. Participants form teams of approximately ten students with a supervising professor and travel each time to a specific region of China. Each year, around one hundred students participate in a four-month cycle, while the films are completed within 15 days.
Outcome
Each participant creates a documentary of approximately 10 minutes in length.
Themes
The thematic focus changes every year and addresses topics such as traditional customs, contemporary lifestyle, rural development, and intercultural experiences.
Locations
Filming takes place in various regions of China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guizhou, and Guangdong.
Global Impact
Since its launch in 2011, the program has hosted more than 800 young filmmakers from over 100 countries, resulting in the production of more than 850 short films. Many of these have been screened at international festivals, have received more than 150 awards, and have been featured on platforms such as Tencent Video, YouTube, and Facebook.
Where to Watch the Films
Many of the films are available on the official Looking China YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@lookingchina-lensofworldyo7969
Cultural Exchange
Beyond filmmaking, the program aims to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. For example, participants from Brazil have been involved since 2016 and have created 36 films across 11 provinces in China, strengthening cultural relations between China and Brazil. Some filmmakers have returned to China to continue the stories they began through the program.
Greek Universities and Participation
Greek universities and film schools have participated in the program over the past two years, with students from NKUA and AUTH already receiving awards.
In 2024, seven films were produced under the supervision of Professor Dimitris Koutsiampasakos, while in 2025 five films were created under the supervision of Dimitris Delinikolas. Both groups traveled to Chongqing.
This year, three students will travel to Shanxi.
Award-winning Greek entries:
Bridges (2024). Directed by Christina Mavrikis. The film connects Greece—more specifically Crete—with China through the perspective of Kazantzakis.
Generational Road (2025). Directed by Zacharias Varvarezos Ioannidis. The film portrays a graffiti-covered street in Chongqing that brings together two generations within one community: the Mao generation and the Hip-Hop generation.
Distinctions
Worlds in Miniatures – Directed by Nefeli Stergiou
Semi-finalist at the Tianjin International Academic Film Festival
“With Eyes Wide Open” – Student Film Competition
By the Lake – Directed by Efi Anagnostidou
Athens Ethnographic Film Festival (Ethnofest)
Special Mention at the Thessaloniki Free Short Festival
Pulse of Chongqing – Directed by Giorgos Georgakopoulos
26th Mediterranean Film Festival (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
13th Chania Film Festival
25th Bunter Hund International Short Film Festival Munich (Germany)
Fisherman's Wharf – Directed by Maria Koukoutini
Micro μ (Student Program)
A Letter from the Fishing City – Directed by Milena Perdikaris
Chalkida Documentary Festival
2nd Ikaria Film Festival
Balkan Cinefest 2025
Thilsri Film Festival – Best Female Documentary Award
Behind the Shadows – Directed by Konstantinos Potamianos
Chania Film Festival and Chania Film Festival Edu
Beijing Lift-Off Film Festival
Peloponnese International Documentary Festival
2nd Western Greece Short Film Competition
Thessaloniki Free Short Festival (Honorable Mention)
International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra & Awards
The Future of Clay – Directed by Konstantinos Potamianos
Ierapetra International Documentary Festival
Chalkida DocFest
Kalamata International Short Documentary Festival
Aigio International Short Film Festival “Theodoros Angelopoulos”
Chania Film Festival and Chania Film Festival Edu
AXD Film Festival
Film Samples
Generation Road
The longest graffiti road in the world through the eyes of two generations
Directed by Zacharias Ioannidis
https://vimeo.com/1083193577/5c95c8ab22
Behind the Shadows
Greek–Chinese shadow theatre
Directed by Konstantinos Potamianos
https://vimeo.com/1082302797/c38f955e90
I Don’t Want to Get Back to the Dream I Had Last Night
Observing a Zen Retreat
Directed by Panagiotis Markatatos
https://vimeo.com/1083174473/e7b3c3173e
Fisherman’s Wharf
Maria Koukoutini
https://youtu.be/9ImA5xCuoTg?si=Va4OLeDx2Q6Y03b8
The Greek delegations were supported by KELKIP.
