Our Mission
To inspire children to think outside the box that they live in by collaborating with a team of international filmmakers and to bring the community of Skopelos together for one week to work towards a common goal. This 2023 documentary by Eloi Sanchez and Claudia Barbera gives you a good idea of what SIFFY is about.
BACKGROUND
SIFFY is a community event that is under the umbrella of the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts, an American 501(C)(3) based in America and Greece. All of the funding comes from private donations through crowdfunding campaigns and sponsors.
organizers
SIFFY has a core team of 6 members:
Jill Somer, Director
Lia Pegiou - Education and organization
Maxi Savva - Education and organization
Vaggelis Drossos - Public Relations
Soula Patsi-Korenti - Public Relations/Fundraising
Lia Vogiatzi - General organization
Katerina Rekka - SIFFY documentary and organization
This team meets once a month year-round for the planning of SIFFY. We also recruit about 60 volunteers who assist with things like cooking, driving, translating, assistants to the filmmakers, music and much more. Nothing would be possible without our wonderful team of volunteers.
What We've Achieved
Children have gone on to study filmmaking.
Many of the past participants are now volunteers for the festival.
We have more than 60 volunteers each year and the number keeps growing.
Built a reputation to attract high quality filmmakers that love working with children.
Private donors have continued to support us because they know the difference we make for children.
We have grown from 22 children to over 100 children each year.
Many films have won awards in festivals throughout the world.
We have been able to send children to other festivals in America, Spain and S. Korea.