Five film grants, aimed at empowering emerging filmmakers and advancing bold, original storytelling across documentary and narrative genres. These grants will provide crucial funding and mentorship opportunities to creators with compelling visions and underrepresented voices.

A climactic farewell to the three-day ArtCinema event, Cinema & Souvlaki brings together the local community and island guests for an unforgettable night of Souvlaki and open-air screenings, in the Greek spirit of the Panagiri tradition.

We’re excited to offer 10 talented filmmakers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and investors in an exclusive matchmaking session. In addition, this will cover the cost of those creatives attending the event, ensuring that artists can focus on making valuable connections, receiving feedback, and exploring potential collaborations to bring their projects to life.

Hydra local, Panagiotis Rappas is a world renowned animator, story artist, scriptwriter, and director. ArtCinema has invited him to do devise a shorts filmmaking program for the children of Hydra.

Rappas specializes in the development of content for animation projects, his animated films won many awards and recognition around the Globe. He did Stage Design for Theatre plays and Illustrated many Children Books.

As part of our commitment to supporting local cultural infrastructure, ArtCinema is proud to join forces with our partners at the Hydra Cinema Club to raise funds for new surround sound equipment at the historic Gardenia Cinema. Under the dedicated leadership of President Lakis Christopoulos, who has served the club for over 41 years, this beloved open-air venue continues to be a cornerstone of Hydra’s cinematic life.

Patron multimedia artist Annu Yadav’s two-week residency and weekend exhibition on Hydra, an initiative that will nurture both her artistic practice and the island’s creative community. During her stay, Annu will create a new exhibition inspired by Hydra and her roots in Rajasthan, India. She will also collaborate with local teacher Dimitris Fousekis and a group of local children, guiding them through painting workshops that will culminate in their own pop-up exhibition. Patronage will not only support the creation of new, site-responsive works by this internationally recognized artist but will also foster meaningful cultural exchange - inspiring the next generation while strengthening Hydra’s role as a living hub for contemporary art.

Patron and Canadian painter Stephen Appleby-Barr returns to Hydra for a nine-day residency and studio exhibition inspired by his latest muse: Hydra’s cats. During his stay, Stephen will also lead a painting workshop with local children, guiding them through creative exercises that culminate in their own pop-up exhibition.

The workshop will explore themes of co-existence, storytelling, and imagination, as children create characters and settings that weave into Stephen’s otherworldly artistic universe. This support ensures the production of new, Hydra-inspired works and creates opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange — empowering young people and advancing Hydra’s role as a dynamic hub for contemporary art.

ArtCinema Hydra is launching five new artist grants to support the creation and development of works inspired by the island of Hydra. These grants will give artists across film, music, visual arts, literature, performance, and new media the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hydra’s unique cultural and natural environment — and to present their work-in-progress during the annual ArtCinema Hydra weekend.

To make this possible, we are inviting patrons and friends of the arts to join us in supporting these grants. Each patron’s contribution directly enables an artist to dedicate time, energy, and vision to their project, ensuring Hydra continues to thrive as a living sanctuary for artistic innovation.

Hydra Arts Hub, led by founding Greek artist Dimitris Fousekis, conducts hands-on creative art workshops for teenagers, aiming to inspire and unlock their creative potential while drawing from the distinctive spirit of Hydra. First introduced as a work-in-progress during ArtCinema Hydra’s October event, this project engages local youth in meaningful artistic expression. We are now seeking patrons to continue and expand these workshops, ensuring the ongoing involvement and visibility of Hydra’s next generation of artists.

We are delighted to welcome acclaimed French photographer Brigitte Lacombe as a patron for animal welfare, as well as for film and art. Renowned for her iconic portraits of actors, artists, and filmmakers, Brigitte brings with her a deep love of animals, and the cherished memory of her once-beloved Studio Cat. Our “More Than Human Community” collaborative project will feature portraits of humans and cats, to help raise funds for the much-needed veterinary clinic on Hydra.

Canadian painter Stephen Abbleby-Barr, currently based in London, England, approaches his art as storytelling. He explores museums and city streets in search of characters and settings to weave into his otherworldly universe. His dark, intimate scenes, rich colors, and dramatic lighting evoke the masterpieces of Baroque legends like Caravaggio. A passionate cat lover, Stephen returns to Hydra for a nine-day residency and studio exhibition inspired by his latest muse: Hydra’s cats.

This exhibition is dedicated to supporting the island’s much-needed veterinary clinic.

We are delighted to welcome acclaimed French photographer Brigitte Lacombe as a patron for animal welfare, as well as for film and art. Renowned for her iconic portraits of actors, artists, and filmmakers, Brigitte brings with her a deep love of animals, and the cherished memory of her once-beloved Studio Cat. Our “More Than Human Community” collaborative project will feature portraits of humans and cats, to help raise funds for the much-needed veterinary clinic on Hydra.