At an emergency press conference held on April 22 at the Athens Journalists’ Union, organizers of the Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival of Kastellorizo warned that its 11th edition, scheduled for August 23–30, 2026, is facing serious challenges in securing the resources needed for its uninterrupted continuation.
It was explained that the recent withdrawal of key strategic and financial partners had brought into sharper focus a long-standing structural issue: the absence of a stable and predictable institutional support framework. Without such a foundation the festival is forced to operate under annual uncertainty, hindering long-term planning and sustainable growth.
Organizers emphasized that Beyond Borders, held on the remote island of Kastellorizo, has grown through persistent effort into one of the most dynamic and emerging documentary festivals in Southeast Europe and the Balkans. They described it as a vital platform for international dialogue, creative exchange, and professional networking, connecting Greek filmmakers with the global industry and strengthening the country’s cultural outreach.
Despite repeated and well-documented efforts to engage with relevant ministries and institutional bodies, they said no consistent support mechanism has yet been established. With the exception of ongoing backing from the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center, which remains a steady supporter, the need for a coherent institutional framework—particularly for cultural initiatives in remote regions—was described as more urgent than ever.
Artistic director Irini Sarioglou was quoted as saying that the festival was not merely an event but a “living cultural organism” operating for over a decade in a highly symbolic border location. She stressed that its continuation concerned not only the festival itself but also Greece’s cultural presence and international dialogue. She added that organizers were not seeking favors but consistent institutional support through formal agreements, noting that restarting from scratch each year was no longer sustainable.
The festival issued an urgent public appeal to both institutional and private stakeholders to take immediate action to secure its future, while underscoring the broader need for a stable framework to support internationally oriented cultural initiatives.
