The animated event of the year, the STRATOS Awards 2024, was a spectacular celebration honoring one of the most significant figures in Hellenic animation and cinema — Stratos Stasinos. The event took place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Hellenic American Union in Athens (22 Massalias Street), organized by ASIFA Hellas, the Hellenic Animation Association.
This milestone event for ASIFA Hellas was dedicated to celebrating Hellenic animation, featuring a vibrant program with live performances, dance, music, comedy sketches, touching tributes to industry figures we’ve lost, major announcements by President Konstantinos P. Kakarountas, and the awards for the best Hellenic animated films of the year.
The evening surpassed all expectations, with the venue at full capacity well before the official start.
Hosts of the night were the multi-talented artists, actors, directors, and screenwriters Fenia Apostolou and Panos Boras.
The script and direction of the event were curated by ASIFA Hellas members and filmmakers Taxiarchis Deligiannis and Vasilis Tsiouvaras.
Maria Mavroeidi coordinated the production, while DAHOUSE STUDIO was responsible for the event’s audiovisual content and video design.
VIEW STUDIO produced the tribute video to Spyros Papadopoulos, and LOKEY created the video dedicated to Manos Aronis.
Public relations were managed by FEELGOOD ENTERTAINMENT and Cynthia Mikkelsen.
Distinguished guests in attendance included:
President of the Movement PLEFSIS ELEFTHERIAS, Ms. Zoe Konstantopoulou,
President of the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME), Leonidas Christopoulos,
President of the Board of the Greek Film Centre (GFC), Markos Holevas,
General Director of the GFC, Athina Kartalou Antoukou,
President of the Athens Film Office, Stathis Kalogeropoulos, and Head of Development Christina Mitropoulou,
Representative of Enterprise Greece, Fotini Nakou,
TV Programming Consultant of the Hellenic Parliament channel, Aris Fatouros,
President of the Hellenic Directors’ Guild, Haris Papadopoulos,
Cinematographer and President of the Greek Society of Cinematographers (GSC), Giorgos Frentzos,
Vice President of WIFT GR (Women in Film & Television Greece), Mirella Legaki,
Representatives from ERT, Greek film and animation festivals, animators, directors, producers, students, and animation enthusiasts.
The evening began with a dazzling entrance by Fenia Apostolou, channeling Jessica Rabbit and performing the iconic “Why Don’t You Do Right.” As she remarked, “In animation, anything is possible.”
Then ASIFA Hellas President Konstantinos P. Kakarountas took the stage to present a powerful video showcasing the organization’s mission — to promote, educate, and encourage creative exchange within the animation community. The video highlighted ASIFA Hellas’ presence at festivals in Greece and abroad, content creation, masterclasses, and its commitment to showcasing Hellenic animation globally. He also shared a retrospective video marking 80 years of Greek animation, emphasizing the urgent need for state support and funding to foster further growth in the field.
The jury panel was introduced — a five-member team that selected the winners across the award categories:
Giorgos Frentzos (Cinematographer, President of GSC),
Christina Mitropoulou (Screenwriter, author, actress, Emmy Academy member, Development Director at Athens Film Office),
Angeliki Salamaliki (Animator, Cartoonist, Storyboard Artist),
Annie di Dona (Animator, Illustrator, Colorist),
Sergios Kotsovolos (Director, Animator).
Here are the awards:
Best Commissioned Animation Film 2024
“It’s All About You – Surfer” by Iris Zioga
Presented by: Stathis Kalogeropoulos, Athens Film Office
Best Animation Series 2024
“Gegone – Inside the Museum” (ERT) by Yiannis Ziogas
Presented by: Leonidas Christopoulos, EKOME
Best Animated Music Video Clip 2024
“Megas Raftis” by Thomas Kunstler
Presented by: Stratos Diamantis, co-founder of Rabbeats and award sponsor
With a live performance by Thanasis Voutsas of his nominated song “Violeta”
Honorary Awards:
Stratos Stasinos
Awarded posthumously, accepted by his daughter Maria Stasinou
Presented by: Konstantinos Kakarountas and Alekos Papadatos
Spyros Papadopoulos
Accepted by his widow Elena Mantzari
Presented by: Fokionas Xenos, ASIFA Hellas Secretary
Manos Aronis
Accepted by his niece Kleopatra Korai
Presented by: Dimitris Savvaidis, ASIFA Hellas Board Member
Student Film Awards:
Honorable Mention
“Tales” by Daphne-Vasiliki Thermidi & Lydia Papakonstantinou
With a gift: A book by Prof. Spyros Siakas and sound mixing services from Massive Productions
Best Student Animation Film 2024
“Watering Hole” by Phoebus Chalkiopoulos
Accompanied by a €1,000 cash prize sponsored by the GFC and Hellas Film
Major Winner of the Night: Eirini Vianelli
She received three top awards:
Best Screenplay for an Animated Film 2024 — “Ready”
Presented by: Comic book writer Dimitris Vanellis
Best Direction in an Animated Film 2024 — “Ready”
Presented by: Documentary director Vania Terner
Best Animated Film 2024 — “Ready”
Accompanied by a €1,000 prize
Presented by: Markos Holevas, GFC President
The evening concluded with a relaxed networking reception featuring award-winning wines from Semeli Estate, served in the venue’s foyer — a generous sponsorship.
