Willem Dafoe at the 16th Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI! Photos from the Greek premiere of "The Birthday Party"

The Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI celebrated last night in the most cinematic way: with the nationwide premiere of "The Birthday Party", in the presence of screen icon Willem Dafoe!

Willem Dafoe, one of the greatest and most captivating actors of his generation, joined us at the idyllic Aigli Zappeiou as a guest of the Festival, Rosebud.21, and Heretic, to present The Birthday Party, alongside director Miguel Ángel Jiménez, the author of the novel Panos Karnezis, and actor Christos Stergioglou - an historic encounter of literature, cinema, and Athens that rarely happens.

The Athens Open Air Film Festival welcomed the film’s creators, representatives of the Greek film, theatre, and journalism communities, and of course its loyal cinephile audience, offering the unique experience of cinema under the stars.

After the screening, the night continued with a DJ set by Spyros Pagiatakis and En Lefko 87.7 - because every good birthday party needs great music.

We thank OPANDA, DEI, EKOME, AEGEAN, Elite, and Jameson - the party’s sponsor - for supporting this glamorous evening.

The film will be released in cinemas on July 2 by Rosebud.21. The novel of the same name by Panos Karnezis is published by Ellinika Grammata.

And us? We’ve only just begun. #aoaff16 🎬