The Drama International Short Film Festival (DISFF) has been running since 1978, making it one of the oldest film festivals in Greece and Southeastern Europe. Every September, the city fills with directors, editors, producers, distributors, and film students — all of whom need to work between screenings.
Hotel WiFi in a small Greek city won't cut it. Here's a better plan.
What Is the Drama Film Festival?
The DISFF (Φεστιβάλ Ταινιών Μικρού Μήκους Δράμας) is an Oscar-qualifying and European Film Award-qualifying short film festival. It's the leading short film event in Greece and a major gateway for Southeastern European filmmakers to the world's most prestigious awards.
Key numbers:
• Founded: 1978 by the Drama Film Club. International since 1995.
• DISFF 49 (2026): September 6-12, 2026
• Submissions: ~2,000 films from ~49 countries annually
• Screened: ~220+ films across competition and sidebar programs
• Sections: National and International Competition, Student Competition, Animation, Documentary, Short & Green (environmental), and Kiddo (children's)
Who Comes to Drama for the Festival
This isn't just a screening event. The DISFF draws working professionals who are actively producing, pitching, and networking:
• Short film directors and screenwriters — presenting work, attending workshops, pitching new projects
• Producers — from the Greek Film Center, ERT (national TV), Finos Film, and independent production companies
• Festival programmers — from IFFR (Rotterdam), Berlin Shorts, Vienna Shorts, Dokufest, and Concorto
• Cinematographers and editors — attending workshops on 16mm/35mm cinematography and post-production
• Distributors and sales agents — scouting new work
• Film students — competing in dedicated student sections
• Critics and journalists — covering the festival
The Industry Side: Pitching Lab & Short Film Hub
Beyond screenings, the DISFF runs serious professional programs:
Pitching Lab (running since 2014) — An intensive workshop where directors, screenwriters, and producers develop and pitch short film projects. Over 1,000 submissions across its lifetime, 100+ presentations, and 29+ completed films. Participants get one-on-one meetings with producers, financiers, and festival programmers. The festival covers accommodation and meals.
Short Film Hub — Professional development workshops (cinematography, production, on-set communication) and panel discussions (casting, distribution, international festival strategy). Includes "Coffee with Festival Programmers" — morning sessions with programmers from major European festivals.
DISFF Residency Program (new in 2026) — Greece's first screenwriting residency dedicated to short films.
The Problem: Hotel WiFi vs. 4K File Uploads
Here's what festival attendees actually need to do between screenings and events:
• Upload large files — DCPs, high-resolution cuts, festival submission packages. A single DCP can be 10-50 GB.
• Video calls with producers — follow-up meetings after Pitching Lab sessions, calls with international distributors
• Edit and review footage — last-minute changes, color correction reviews, preparing presentation materials
• Update portfolios and reels — networking requires sharing work instantly
• Prepare pitch decks — Pitching Lab participants need reliable internet for research, design, and practice
Typical hotel WiFi in a small Greek city delivers 5-20 Mbps — shared among all guests. Uploading a 2 GB file at 10 Mbps takes about 27 minutes under ideal conditions. Real-world hotel WiFi? Double or triple that. For a 20 GB DCP, you're looking at hours.
Fiftyone as Your Editing & Upload Hub
At Fiftyone Space, 5 minutes from the main festival venues:
• 1 Gbps fiber internet — dedicated business-grade connection. Upload that 2 GB file in seconds. A 20 GB DCP in just a couple of minutes.
• Pro Desk with 4K monitor — review footage on a proper screen, not a laptop
• Phone booth — private space for video calls with producers and distributors
• Meeting room — book by the hour for small group sessions, pitch rehearsals, or private meetings
• Printing and scanning — contracts, one-sheets, pitch materials
• Coffee and beverages — included with every day pass
Day passes start from €22. No membership, no sign-up process. Walk in, sit down, upload.
Festival Venues — All Within Walking Distance
The DISFF takes place across multiple venues in Drama's compact center:
• Olympia Cinema — main screening venue
• Alexandros Open-Air Cinema — evening screenings
• Municipal Conservatory Hall
• Cyclops cultural space — garden screenings
• Eleftheria cultural center — workshops and panels hub
Fiftyone Space is at Verginas 51, in the city center — all festival venues are a short walk or 5-minute drive away.
The Plan: Work in the Morning, Festival in the Afternoon
• Morning (9:00-13:00): Work at Fiftyone. Upload files, take calls, prep your pitch. Fast WiFi, quiet environment, real desk.
• Afternoon (14:00-19:00): Festival screenings, workshops, and panels.
• Evening (20:00+): Open-air screenings, networking events, industry dinners.
You get your work done and experience the full festival. No compromises.
Practical Details
• DISFF 49 dates: September 6-12, 2026
• Day pass: From €22/day, everything included
• Meeting room: From €25/hour
• Location: Verginas 51, Drama city center
• No booking required — walk in during opening hours, or contact us to reserve a desk