May 7–10, 2026 | Levadia, Greece
The MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival returns with powerful momentum for its second edition, taking place from May 7 to May 10, 2026, in Levadia, Greece.
The festival will once again transform the historic city of Central Greece into an international meeting point for filmmakers, producers, journalists, artists, and distinguished personalities from the global film industry.
Inspired by Mount Helicon, Mount Parnassus, the Muses, and the deep cultural memory of the region, the festival connects Greece’s spiritual and artistic heritage with contemporary international filmmaking.
The 2026 edition will feature daily screenings, international masterclasses, honorary awards, red carpet events, opening and closing ceremonies, cultural activities, a traditional Greek evening, and special international guests.
SCREENINGS IN THREE MODERN CINEMA HALLS
Film screenings will take place daily at Cineplex Filippos, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, across three modern cinema halls.
The program will include official selections, competition films, and special screenings from filmmakers and productions from around the world.
Filmmaker registration and accreditation will be available at Cineplex Filippos at any time during screening hours, allowing filmmakers to collect their credentials upon arrival.
INTERNATIONAL VIP GUESTS, MASTERCLASSES, AND HONORARY AWARDS
The festival will host major international figures from the film industry, who will present masterclasses and be honored for their contribution to international cinema.
JAY WORTH
USA | Emmy Award-Winning Visual Effects Supervisor & Producer
Jay Worth is one of today’s most respected creators in the field of visual effects. An Emmy Award and Visual Effects Society Award winner, he has been active since 1997 and has contributed to more than 500 episodes of television productions.
He has worked with leading names and companies, including Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy, Kilter Films, J.J. Abrams, and Bad Robot.
His credits include internationally acclaimed productions such as:
WESTWORLD
FALLOUT
LOST
FRINGE
ALIAS
PERSON OF INTEREST
THE PERIPHERAL
THE MAGICIANS
On FALLOUT, Jay Worth served as Production Visual Effects Supervisor, playing a key role in shaping the series’ distinctive post-apocalyptic visual world.
At MUSES FILM AWARDS 2026, he will present the masterclass:
“Words from the Wasteland – An Exploration of Visual Effects and Creativity in the World of FALLOUT”
Jay Worth will be honored by the festival for his outstanding contribution to visual effects, international cinema, and television production.
MARK FOLIGNO
United Kingdom | Film Producer & Executive Producer
Mark Foligno is an internationally recognized British film producer and executive producer, with a significant presence in European and international film production.
He is known for his involvement in major award-winning films, including:
THE KING’S SPEECH
MOON
LEGACY OF LIES
THE KING’S SPEECH won the Academy Award for Best Picture, while MOON has been associated with major British and international recognition. Mark Foligno is credited as producer on The King’s Speech, Moon, and Legacy of Lies.
During his tenure at Molinare, he contributed to productions such as the BAFTA-winning MOON and the Oscar and BAFTA-winning THE KING’S SPEECH, while Molinare became one of the most important post-production companies in the United Kingdom.
His credits also include films such as:
IRONCLAD
CHATROOM
A LONELY PLACE TO DIE
WASTELAND
MONTANA
GOLDEN YEARS
FREUD’S LAST SESSION
Mark Foligno will present the masterclass:
“Getting Your First Film Made”
He will be honored by MUSES FILM AWARDS for his contribution to international film production and for his support of emerging filmmakers.
LÁSZLÓ HARGITTAI
Hungary | Editor, Post-Production Executive & Film Educator
László Hargittai, also known as “Pamacs,” is one of Hungary’s most significant film editors and post-production supervisors, with a long-standing presence in European and international cinema.
He has edited more than 50 films in the Hungarian film industry and has received the Béla Balázs Award, one of Hungary’s most important state honors for film artists. He has also served as Head of Post-Production at Origo Studios Budapest, one of Central Europe’s leading post-production facilities.
His work includes films such as:
THE AMBASSADOR TO BERN
DEMIMONDE
ETERNAL WINTER
TALL TALES
PUSKÁS HUNGARY
MARIO, THE MAGICIAN
He has also been connected to major international productions filmed or completed within Hungary’s production and post-production environment, including:
BLADE RUNNER 2049
DUNE
DIE HARD 5
At the festival, he will present the masterclass:
“The Art of Collaboration or Why It’s Difficult Not to Edit”
He will be honored for his contribution to film editing, post-production, and international cinema.
BALÁZS BOKOR
Hungary | President of the Hungarian Hollywood Council
Balázs Bokor is a distinguished Hungarian cultural diplomat and international figure in the film world. He is the President of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, an organization dedicated to promoting Hungary’s historic relationship with Hollywood and highlighting the Hungarian contribution to the global film industry.
He is also actively connected to the Tony Curtis International Film Festival, which honors the memory and legacy of legendary actor Tony Curtis, with emphasis on his Hungarian roots and the enduring connection between Hungary and international cinema.
At MUSES FILM AWARDS, Balázs Bokor will present the masterclass:
“Hollywood on the Danube: Hungarian Cinema and the Hollywood Film Industry (Past & Present) – Why American Films Are Shot in Hungary”
He will be honored for his contribution to cultural diplomacy, international film collaboration, and the strengthening of ties between Europe and Hollywood.
JURY COMMITTEE
The MUSES FILM AWARDS 2026 Jury Committee is composed of distinguished figures from cinema, animation, directing, acting, cultural diplomacy, and artistic creation, with international experience and a strong presence in the cultural field.
NASSOS VAKALIS
Nassos Vakalis is an Emmy Award-winning animation director, animator, storyboard artist, and creator with an international career. He has worked with major studios and productions, including DreamWorks Animation, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal / Illumination, and ESPN, while his film Dinner for Few has received distinctions at numerous international festivals.
He is a member of the European Film Academy and has been appointed as the official cultural representative and ambassador of the MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival in the United States, based in Los Angeles, strengthening the festival’s international presence and its relationship with the American film community.
GIORGOS PAPAVASSILIOU
Giorgos Papavassiliou, internationally known as Jorgo Papavassiliou, is a Greek-German film director and screenwriter with a significant presence in European cinema, particularly in Germany and Greece.
He has directed television and film productions and is recognized for his professional consistency and international cinematic vision. He is also a member of the European Film Academy, further strengthening the European prestige of the festival’s jury.
BALÁZS BOKOR
Honorary Member of the Jury Committee
Balázs Bokor is the President of the Hungarian Hollywood Council and the President of the Tony Curtis International Film Festival.
His presence at MUSES FILM AWARDS strengthens the festival’s cultural diplomacy, international film collaboration, and connection between Europe and the historic legacy of Hollywood. His participation as an honorary member of the jury highlights the close cultural relationship between MUSES FILM AWARDS and the Tony Curtis International Film Festival.
ANTONIO DI LEONARDO
Antonio Di Leonardo is an Italian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for the films Serendip and Safara, while his creative journey connects cinema with travel, humanitarian action, and storytelling with international and social impact.
EXSEKIAS TRIVOULIDES
Exsekias Trivoulides is an artist whose work includes sculpture, painting, mosaics, classical art, and handmade artistic creation.
His work is strongly connected to Greek antiquity, Renaissance aesthetics, and Mediterranean cultural tradition. He is also the official designer of the Artemis Award of the Euro-American Women’s Council, an international institution with strong cultural and symbolic significance.
PARIS KATSIVELOS
Paris Katsivelos is an actor, director, and professor of dramatic arts. He has studied acting, directing, scenography, costume design, movement, choreography, and speech training, and has participated in theater, television, and film productions.
He teaches at higher drama schools, theater workshops, and academic institutions. In 2023, he was honored with the Gusi Peace Prize International, an international award based in Asia, often referred to as the Asian counterpart of the Nobel Peace Prize.
His participation in the MUSES FILM AWARDS Jury Committee strengthens the spiritual, theatrical, and humanitarian character of the festival.
SPECIAL AWARD
DOLPH LUNDGREN ACTION AWARD
One of the most important international highlights of this year’s edition is the establishment of the special award:
DOLPH LUNDGREN ACTION AWARD
The award is presented within the framework of the MUSES FILM AWARDS and, according to the festival, is a special international award dedicated to action and adventure films, with the approval and exclusive authorization of the Dolph Lundgren name for the festival.
Dolph Lundgren is one of the most recognizable action stars in world cinema. He became internationally known as Ivan Drago in ROCKY IV and went on to star in dozens of action films, including MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, RED SCORPION, THE PUNISHER, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO, THE EXPENDABLES, and many more.
Attending the festival in Levadia will be his daughter:
IDA LUNDGREN
Actress and Model
Ida Lundgren is the daughter of Dolph Lundgren and Anette Qviberg. She has pursued a career in modeling and acting and has appeared, among other projects, in the films COMMAND PERFORMANCE and CASTLE FALLS.
According to the festival, Ida Lundgren’s presence at this year’s edition marks the official connection between MUSES FILM AWARDS and the special award bearing her father’s name, while there is also an intention for Dolph Lundgren himself to attend a future edition of the festival.
HONORARY AWARDS FOR GREEK PERSONALITIES
MUSES FILM AWARDS 2026 will also honor major Greek personalities from cinema, journalism, and public life.
YIANNIS SMARAGDIS
Film Director – Screenwriter
Yiannis Smaragdis is one of Greece’s most important film directors and screenwriters, with international recognition and a body of work that has connected Greek culture with cinema for broad audiences.
He is the creator of films such as CAVAFY, EL GRECO, GOD LOVES CAVIAR, and KAZANTZAKIS.
Yiannis Smaragdis will be honored by the festival for his overall contribution to Greek and international cinema, as well as for his contribution to the promotion of Greek cultural identity through the art of film.
ZINA KOUTSELINI
Journalist – Television Host – Media Executive
Zina Koutselini is one of the most recognizable figures in Greek television and journalism. She has had a long career in Greek television since 1991, working as a journalist, television executive, and presenter.
Her presence at MUSES FILM AWARDS connects the festival with journalism, television communication, and social awareness.
Zina Koutselini will be honored by the festival for her contribution to journalism, television, and public communication.
KOSTAS TAMPAXIS
Journalist – Veteran of the Greek Press
Kostas Tampaxis is an experienced journalist with a long and respected presence in the Greek press.
His main career began at the historic newspaper APOGEVMATINI, where he worked for many years, laying the foundation for his journalistic path.
He later served as Editor-in-Chief at TO VIMA, followed by senior editorial positions in the Greek press, including executive roles at Proto Thema and the position of Managing Editor at the newspaper Political.
He comes from Levadia, a fact that gives special meaning to his recognition within the framework of the festival.
Kostas Tampaxis will be honored by MUSES FILM AWARDS for his overall contribution to journalism and the Greek press.
OPENING CEREMONY AND RED CARPET
The official opening of the festival will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the forecourt of Levadia City Hall.
At 7:30 PM, guests will arrive on the red carpet, including filmmakers, VIP guests, international invitees, and representatives from the film and cultural sectors.
Opening remarks will be delivered by:
DEMETRIOS KATIS
Founder, President & Artistic Director of MUSES FILM AWARDS
DIMITRIS KARAMANIS
Mayor of Levadia
DANCE PERFORMANCE OF THE NINE MUSES
The central artistic event of the opening ceremony will be the dance performance of the Nine Muses:
“Aphthonai Mouson Thyrai”
by the Atrapos Art and Dance Group
Choreography / Concept / Text:
Arsinoe Lily Karadima
Original Music Composition:
Demetrios Katis
Costumes and Props:
Exsekias Trivoulides
Performers:
Arsinoe Lily Karadima
Vasiliki Kousouni
Alexandra Giannakopoulou
Katerina Karadima
Dioni Ganatsiou
Artemis Kastania
Maria Nefeli Chronopoulou
Stefania Gliglinou
Marilia Xydi
Participating in the Flame Lighting:
Tina Theodoritsi
Nasia Economou
In the role of Apollo:
Giorgos Karatzas
Makeup & Hair Styling:
BU Hair Salon
Nicolas Hair Styling & Makeup School
PARTICIPATION OF AN ANCIENT-STYLE HOPLITE HONOR GUARD
As part of the introductory stage composition of the opening ceremony, two members of LEONIDAS – Educational Ancient-Style Hoplite Honor Guard will also participate, adding a strong symbolic dimension connected to ancient Greek martial tradition, memory, history, and the cultural identity of the festival.
Participating:
Dionysis Vardikos
Alkiviadis Vardikos
as an Athenian and Spartan warrior.
Their presence will be part of the opening artistic sequence, framing the Dance Performance of the Muses and strengthening the connection of MUSES FILM AWARDS with ancient Greek heritage.
The honor guard appears publicly as LEONIDAS – Educational Ancient-Style Hoplite Honor Guard, with Dionysios Vardikos serving as its President.
WELCOME DRINK AT KRYA SPRINGS
The festival will open on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 8:30 PM, with a welcome drink at:
XENIA Bar – Krya Springs
located next to the ancient Oracle of Trophonius and beneath the Medieval Castle of Levadia.
The location is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks, combining natural beauty, history, mythology, and cultural memory.
PARALLEL EVENTS AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
The festival is not limited to film screenings. It creates a complete cultural and experiential program for its guests.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, an optional excursion to Delphi will take place, departing from Levadia in the morning. This activity will offer international guests the opportunity to visit one of the most important archaeological and spiritual sites of ancient Greece.
That same evening, at 8:30 PM, a traditional Greek evening will take place at:
Zagara Association
The evening will include traditional food from Levadia and Central Greece, live music, and traditional dances from Levadia and the wider region of Central Greece.
Participation in these activities is optional.
CLOSING CEREMONY AND AWARDS PRESENTATION
The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM, at the Cultural Multipurpose Hall of Levadia City Hall.
The program will include live cinematic music performed by distinguished musicians, including members of the National Opera, followed by the festival’s awards ceremony.
The closing ceremony will honor filmmakers from around the world, celebrating excellence, originality, creativity, and international cinematic collaboration.
ORGANIZATION AND FESTIVAL IDENTITY
The MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival was founded by:
DEMETRIOS KATIS
Founder – President – Artistic Director
Demetrios Katis is the visionary, founder, and leading creative force behind the MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival.
The original idea was born in 2019, with the goal of creating an international film institution in Levadia, one that would connect contemporary global cinema with Greek culture, ancient memory, mythology, the Muses, Mount Helicon, and the deep spiritual identity of Central Greece.
Demetrios Katis is an award-winning composer with international distinctions in Hollywood, as well as recognition from Billboard. He has been honored with numerous awards and distinctions by Greek and international organizations in the United States and Europe, including AHEPA, and has also been honored in the past by the Mayor of Athens for promoting the Greek spirit worldwide through art.
The philosophy of the festival is based on a vision of international scope: to present Greek culture not as a museum memory, but as a living creative force in dialogue with global cinema, emerging filmmakers, technology, image, music, and contemporary storytelling.
The international momentum of the festival is reflected in this year’s edition, with approximately 200 films and approximately 80% of submissions coming from foreign countries, confirming the international character, outward-looking identity, and cultural diplomacy strategy of the MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival.
The festival’s organizing team includes:
DEMETRIOS KATIS
Founder – President – Artistic Director
MARIA SKOUROLIAKOU
Festival Director
ANGELIKI KASTRITI
Sponsorship & Marketing Director
ELINA TROGADA
Vice President
KONSTANTINOS KATIS
Digital Media and Audiovisual Communications Manager
The festival is held with the support of the Municipality of Levadia, the Region of Central Greece, EKOMED, and the Apollo Cultural Association.
The goal of the festival is to establish Levadia as an international cultural destination, support independent filmmakers, bring Greek and international cinema closer together, and create an institution that unites artistic creation with the history, mythology, and cultural identity of the region.
CONTACT
[email protected]
+30 693 228 9362 – Maria Skouroliakou, Festival Director
MUSES FILM AWARDS – Levadia International Film Festival
Website: www.musesfilmawards.com
The MUSES FILM AWARDS 2026 brings international filmmakers, award-winning film professionals, and distinguished personalities from journalism and culture to Levadia, transforming the city into a meeting point for global cinematic creation.
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