The Bearcave
A Google search for the film "Bearcave" will come up with results for two films with the same title. There are references to a short film with that name winning the Golden Dionysus award at the Drama Short Film Festival and then there is the full length feature film "Bearcave" which won multiple awards at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival as well as the Europa Cinemas Award at the Giornate degli Autori of the Venice Film Festival.
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| The Bearcave poster |
So there are two "Bearcaves" and they are connected.
I explain. Sofia's daughter is up and coming DoP, Arsinoi Pilou. Arsinoi, director friends Krysianna Papadakis and Stergios Dinopoulos and producer Thanos Michalopoulos got together and created their own production "collective" Pame Ligo. Krysianna and Stergios came up with the idea and wrote the initial script. Then they enlisted talented young Greek actresses, Pamela Oikonomaki and Hara Kyriazi and filmed the short film "The Bearcave". Fairly long for a "short" film, at 38 mins, by the time they had finished it, they knew they wanted to make the feature film version of it. The story wanted it.
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| Pamela Oikonomaki - Hara Kyriazi |
So in late spring 2023 they put the word out that they were looking for other actors and actresses as the evolved story now encompassed more characters.
Sofia expressed that she would like to have a go at an audition. Her daughter Arsinoi made it clear that the fact she was the mother of the DoP would not affect the casting choices. Instead of flying to Athens for an audition, the kids had the idea that Sofia could make a video of one of the scenes, so in early June 2023 they sent us a script excerpt and we got together at home with the help of fellow actress, local IT specialist and video editor, Isabella and we filmed the scene on my phone.
Here are a few photos from the filming of the audition tape:
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| Sofia and Isabella act out the scene |
Our little video must have gone down well, because Sofia soon had her answer. She got the part!
She was to play the mother of the policeman that "Anneta" (Pamela) is set to marry.
Filming was in the lovely area of Elati, near Trikala.
Here is a little screen grab of Sofia, taken at the Venice screening
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| Sofia's part as the mother in law was very well received by the audience |
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| Argyro and Anneta |
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| Every review I have read mentions the amazing cinematography |
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| Anneta (Pamela) |
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| Anneta and Argyro |
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| In your eyes... |
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| On the way to the Bearcave |
The Bearcave premiered internationally at the Venice Film Festival.
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| The cast and directors arrive at the Venice screening |
The film premiered in Greece at the 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in November 2025. Here are some photos from there.
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| Sofia and Arsinoi Pilou, cinematographer |
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| Krysianna Papadaki with one of the many awards |
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| Hara Kyriazi and Pamela Oikonomaki |
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| What? Another award? |
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| Pamela Oikonomaki |
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| Arsinoi Pilou Director of Photography |
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Sofia, Hara, Pamela, Arsinoi, Stergios and Krysianna amongst others from the crew |
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| Sofia |
Following are some links to reviews of the film:
International Cinephile society
British Council movie Database
Letterboxd Reviews (Must read, viewers comments, some very funny)
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