Greek actor Thanasis Tsaltampasis has won the Best Actor Award for his performance in the short film Listen Mom at a festival in Karditsa.
The award presentation took place on Thursday, August 27 at the 4th Karditsa International Short Film Festival Opseis. The short film was also awarded the festival's Cinematic Achievement Award.
Tsaltampasis publicly announced the recognition in a post on his personal Instagram account on Friday, September 4. The actor posted a picture smiling alongside director Tony Kris and the award statuette.
In his social media post, Tsaltampasis expressed appreciation to director Tony Kris for placing trust in him, noting that the director inspired him to throw his heart into portraying Petros, the lead character of the film. He also acknowledged co-star Mary Stavrakelli, who played his mother in the film, and fellow actor Orfeas Papadopoulos for creative moments shared during production.
Tsaltampasis commended composer Manos Mavridis for the soundtrack score and vocal contribution, noting that the music enhanced the narrative without forcing emotion. He described filming as a challenging yet enjoyable experience that left the entire team fully satisfied with the finished project.
The actor noted that the festival circuit had opened in the best possible way with two major honors. He extended thanks to the Karditsa Short Film Festival for organizing the event and granting the film two significant awards.
Film story and creative background
Thanasis Tsaltampasis is a prominent Greek actor known for his work in theatrical productions, television series, and cinema. The festival is hosted in Karditsa, a city located in central Greece, as part of an annual event celebrating short form independent cinema.
According to the official plot summary released by the production, Listen Mom centers on a grieving playwright who returns to his rural birthplace following the sudden death of his partner. The protagonist intends to reveal his sexual identity to his traditionally minded mother.
Their painful confrontation and the unspoken truths that surface during their encounter serve as the catalyst for the writer to find his creative voice. The film features performances by Tsaltampasis, Stavrakelli, and Papadopoulos.
