We’re thrilled to unveil the mixed media animation intro for the 26th Athens International Film Festival (23/9-4/10/2020), a psychedelic journey that captures the mystery and beauty of cinema!

This experimental video takes viewers on a surreal trip, soaring on the wings of a butterfly from the silver screen to a starry night sky. Inspired by the avant-garde works of Stan Brakhage, the animation blends 3D environments with rotoscoping techniques and collage elements, creating a dreamlike tapestry. The butterfly, a central motif, flutters from a dark movie theatre through abstract landscapes—shimmering cosmic voids, and blooming floral bursts—its wings adorned with flickering film reels and textured patterns. The color palette dazzles with deep purples, electric blues, and fiery oranges, evoking a sense of wonder and otherworldliness. Layered visuals, like scratched film strips and fragmented light, add a tactile, handcrafted feel, while the 3D spaces shift fluidly, mirroring cinema’s transformative power.

This year’s festival screenings, hosted entirely in open-air cinemas, are pandemic-friendly, adding to the magic of watching films under the stars. A huge thanks to the passionate festival team for their flawless collaboration in bringing this visionary project to life—hope you enjoy this cinematic odyssey as much as we do!