Code of Conduct

Athens Film Festival Code of Conduct: Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment

Expected Behavior:

• Be respectful and considerate of other participants.
• Exercise common sense and be mindful of your surroundings and fellow attendees.
• Follow all rules and instructions from festival staff and venue personnel.
• Be mindful of the space you occupy and be prepared to share it with others.
• Please keep all venues clean and dispose of waste properly.

Unacceptable Behavior:

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable:

• Verbal or written comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to protected characteristics.
• Sexual images, language, or advances in public spaces.
• Threats, intimidation, stalking, or following, whether in-person, verbally, or through written or virtual communication.
• Harassing photography or recording.
• Sustained disruption of films, screenings, or other events.
• Inappropriate physical contact.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Targeting, intimidating, or attempting to bully festival staff, programmers, or volunteers, particularly in response to administrative or curatorial decisions.

Communication and Festival Decisions

All communication with Athens Film Festival staff, programmers, volunteers, and jurors must remain professional and respectful. Furthermore, all programming, eligibility, and safety-related decisions made by the festival administration are final. While we may provide channels for feedback, any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or harass our team into reversing a decision is a severe violation of this Code of Conduct. A sustained campaign of unsolicited, abusive, or threatening communication (including via email or social media) will be treated as harassment and may result in being barred from future events and submissions.

Grounds for Denial of Entry, Removal, or Revocation of Access

The festival reserves the right to deny entry, revoke tickets or passes, or remove any individual from an event at its sole discretion, for the following reasons. These reasons apply to all attendees, including those with complimentary or paid tickets.

Furthermore, intimidation, threats, or harassment in any form—whether physical, verbal, or through email or other virtual communication—directed at festival participants, staff, or volunteers is grounds for immediate removal and/or permanent banning from the festival.

1. Public Safety and Security:

• Possession of illegal substances or weapons.
• Engaging in violent, threatening, or excessively disruptive behavior.
• Behavior that endangers the safety of staff, guests, or the public.
• Exhibiting signs of intoxication that pose a risk to oneself or others.
• Violating any venue-specific rules or local, state, or federal laws.

2. Violation of the Code of Conduct:

• Any act of harassment or discrimination as defined in this Code.
• Failure to cease disruptive or abusive behavior after being asked to do so by festival staff.
• Acting in a manner that creates a hostile, intimidating, or unsafe environment for other attendees.

3. Disrupting the Event:

• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas.
• Using unauthorized recording devices for video or audio.
• Disrupting a film or panel discussion, either verbally or physically.

4. Misuse of Tickets or Credentials:

• Reselling or attempting to transfer a ticket, pass, or credential in violation of festival rules.
• Using a pass or credential that has been revoked or reported lost.

5. Other Legitimate and Non-Discriminatory Reasons:

• A previous history of documented disruptive, harassing, or threatening behavior at this or other events.
• Failure to adhere to a reasonable dress code (if one is established).
• Any other reason that, in the judgment of festival staff, undermines the mission of the festival and its commitment to a safe and respectful environment for all.