Argyris Papadimitropolis’s SUNTAN today received the Best International Feature Film Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.  The film also scooped the UPS Cinephile Award, given by the Youth Jury at the Brussels Film Festival, rounding out a successful week for the Greek production.

Papadimitropoulos’s third feature, SUNTAN stars Makis Papadimitriou as Kostis, the new doctor of Antiparos, a tiny Greek holiday island. He finds it hard to connect with anyone until he meets Anna, a young, beautiful traveller with whom Kostis’s unlikely flirtation becomes infatuation and ultimately, his obsession.

The Edinburgh jury described SUNTAN as “a compelling and unflinching portrait of one man’s journey from infatuation to desperation, marked out by a truly great performance from its lead actor.”

Alongside Papadimitriou is Elli Tringou as Anna. The supporting cast members include Dimi Hart, Hara Kotsali, Marcus Collen and Dutch actress and model Milou van Groessen.   Papadimitropolis’s previous credits include the 2011 Rotterdam opener Wasted Youth and the 2008 Greek box office hit Bank Bang.

Commenting on the Edinburgh award, Papadimitropolis says:  “Back in the late ‘90s I was a student in the UK. All the films that were awarded in the Edinburgh Film Festival were part of the conversation among us. We would go and watch everything with an Edinburgh laurel on the poster. Little did I know that 15 years later I would be so honoured as to be the recipient of such an Award.  I can’t wait to print new posters. Thank you to the lovely people of the Festival and the amazing Jury, I could not be happier for this award.”

Producer Phaedra Vokali of Marni Films adds: "What an amazing honour and joy to be part of the great company of films awarded in the Edinburgh Film Festival. Suntan is a rare breed of a film, made by a restless, hyper-talented director who was bold enough to trust me, and I could not be happier that the first movie I have produced has been recognized by such a prestigious institution. Thank you Edinburgh!"

SUNTAN received its World Premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival.  Visit Films are handling worldwide sales excluding Greece and Cyprus.