The film Elsinore, starring Andrew Scott, will have its Greek premiere as the closing screening of the 32nd Athens International Film Festival on October 11, 2026. Scott is considered a leading favorite for an Academy Award nomination in the Best Actor category for his performance in the film.
Directed by Simon Stone, the drama arrives in Greece following its win of the International Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The nationwide festival premiere will take place in the Danaos I cinema hall at 22:00, prior to its general theatrical distribution in Greece by Spentzos Film.
The story of Ian Charleson
Elsinore focuses on the final months of British actor Ian Charleson and centers on his last major theatrical performance. In 1989, while facing an unequal battle with AIDS, Charleson took to the stage at the National Theatre in London to portray Hamlet in what was considered the role of his lifetime.
Charleson had achieved recognition as the star of the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. Instead of turning toward Hollywood glamour, he chose to return to his theatrical roots, where his dream collided with the reality of his fragile health. The film presents a drama celebrating the therapeutic capacity of art during life's hardest trials.
Scott brings Charleson to life with honesty, humor and subtlety during his confrontation with death. Olivia Colman co-stars as a doctor who offers protective tenderness and support to the actor and other gay men during the epidemic.
Cast and production background
Scott is an Irish actor who gained international recognition for playing the priest in the comedy series Fleabag and starring in the 2023 romantic drama All of Us Strangers.
Colman is an Academy Award-winning English actress known for her work across film and television. Stone is an Australian theatre and film director.
Charleson was a Scottish stage and screen actor best known for playing Olympic runner Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1990 at the age of 40.
Festival screening details
The Athens International Film Festival, known locally as Nychtes Premieras, is an annual film event held in the Greek capital. The 32nd edition of the festival runs from September 30 to October 11, 2026, presenting international cinema premieres and feature films.
The festival will conclude its program with the screening of Elsinore at the Danaos cinema hall on Sunday, October 11. Spentzos Film will manage the general cinema release across Greece following the festival.
