EMERGING GREEKS COMPETITION

Elena’s Shift – by Stefanos Tsivopoulos

In Athens, 2013, Elena, a Romanian single mother, works as a metro cleaner while living with her son and mother. Her dream of Greek citizenship is dashed, when her application is denied. After being unjustly fired by her corrupt employer, she reconnects with her activist past and seeks help from Yota, a union lawyer, sparking a slow-burning romance. Determined to expose illegal practices, Elena refuses to back down and risks alienating her family and the ones she loves. She longs to belong, but only on her own terms.

Stefanos Tsivopoulos

Stefanos Tsivopoulos, a visual artist who turned to be a filmmaker, is known for his unique visual language, prominently featured in his art films. Over the years, he has written, directed, and produced more than 30 short and medium-length films, collaborating with renowned actors and film crews across Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, and the United States. His work often explores personal and collective narratives, addressing socio-economic and cultural themes. One of his most notable projects is the three-part film History Zero, which was showcased at the 55th Venice Biennale. Tsivopoulos’s films have gained international recognition, being presented at prestigious art institutions such as the Venice Biennale, Tate Modern in London, Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and the Beijing Biennale. His short films have been featured in prominent European and American festivals, including Montclair, Rencontres Internationales Paris/Berlin, Kasseler Dokfest, Den Haag, Thessaloniki, and Athens Film Festivals. He has received nominations for the DESTE Prize and the Future of Europe Award, and won the Golden Cube for his short The Remake at the 25th Kasseler Dokfest. Tsivopoulos’s debut feature, Elena’s Shift (a.k.a. Late Shift), produced by Boo Productions (Dogtooth, Apples), was funded by the Greek Film Center (EKK) and the Greek National Television (ERT). It also participated in CineMart and the Torino FilmLab. Currently, Tsivopoulos is developing his second feature, Skylge, funded by the Netherlands Film Fund and part of the 2024 EAVE program.