Parallel Events

A special casting workshop for professional actors looking to expand their practice into the area of international productions will be held by acclaimed casting directors Francesco Vedovati (The White Lotus, Io Capitano) and Makis Gazis (The Lost Daughter, Salade Grecque) in collaboration with Filmmakers Europe. The two-day workshop will take place at Artos Cultural and Research House on 7 & 8 April bringing adult participants of all ages and levels of experience the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the process and expectations of international production casting directors. The workshop will focus on practical techniques and audition tips. The program includes daily group workshops between 10:00- 13:00, and a public panel discussion between 15:00-17:00 on the second day (working language: English). Limited number of seats. Please apply by 15 March using this form:  https://cd.filmmakers.eu/visibility-of-cypriot-talent-25

Francesco Vedovati has worked for decades as casting director in Italian cinema. In 2023 he won a Best Casting Director Emmy for the series The White Lotus (2^nd season). He was also casting director for Matteo Garrone’s film Io, Capitano, nominated for an Oscar in 2024. He was nominated at BAFTA for The Two Popes and also for Artios Awards for his work in Fargo, Conclave and Ripley. In 2024, the Casting Society of America honoured him with the Capelier-Shaw Artios Award for excellence in casting.

Makis Gazis is an Athens-based Greek casting director. After pursuing film studies in Athens and London he began working as a casting director. For over three decades he has worked with top Greek and international filmmakers in film and TV projects. He has discovered a significant number of actors, catapulting their career. Many Greek and foreign actors attend his workshops on camera and auditioning techniques. He has left his mark on Greek films like Stelios, Smyrna, and Ballad for a Pierced Heart and also on international films such as Adults in the Room and The Lost Daughter. He is a member of the European Film Academy, the Hellenic Film Academy, and the International Casting Directors’ Association (ICDA).