Filmography
Title: Ode to (Lifesaving) Joy
Year: 2012
Script/Directing: Dr. Stathis Avramidis
Montage: Stamatis Tripodis
Duration: 10 min
Synopsis: Lucas Bistarakis is considered the "father" of professional lifeguarding in Greece. He was born during the German occupation in Vagia, Viotea and learned to swim where the gots drunk water. He became Water Safety Instructor by the American Red Cross and returned to Greece to keep his promise; "to establish lifeguarding because there are not such schools". He founded dozens of lifeguard-scuba diving non-profit organizations, among which were the Institute of Swimming and Lifeguarding, and the School of Lifeguards and Scuba Divers of the Hellenic Red Cross. He established the first lifeguard related legislations, and tried (unsucesfully) to found lifesaving sport. His work received mixed responses; while it was endorsed by important organizations, it created enemies who tried to stop him. He was send many times in court but was always declared innocent. Bistarakis is a fine example of all pioneers who paid high personal price to advance the thinking of their era.
Auspice: Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity, Hellenic Red Cross, National School of Public Health, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Screened: International Aquatic History Symposium and Film Festival 2012 (International Swimming Hall of Fame): The film was honored with the "Best Young Director Award 2012" by the Film Review Committee whose Chief Judge was Greg Bonann, the creator of the world's most successful TV series, "Baywatch". 17th International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films 2017 (Bulgarian Red Cross and Medical University of Varna): The film was selected for screening together with 177 films from 53 countries among a list of 1090 entries from 106 countries. It was one of the 16 winning films, receiving the ''Special Diploma of Masterful Storytelling of Red Cross Events''.
Title: Greek Beware of Drowning
Year: 2014
Script/Directing: Dr. Stathis Avramidis
Montage: Stamatis Tripodis
Duration: 32 seconds
Synopsis: The video shows a little boy who describes his own simulated drowning episode. Water safety advices are given by Dr. Stathis Avramidis and Bruce Wigo (President/CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame).
Auspice: International Swimming Hall of Fame, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity, Union of Greek Athletes with Extraordinary Achievements, International Awards Giuseppe Sciacca, Giuseppe Sciacca Foundation.
Screened: The Public Statement Announcement was aired nationally in Greece in all television channels after approval by the National Television and Broadcasting Council.
Title: Drowning
Year: 2012
Script/Directing: Dr. Stathis Avramidis
Montage: Stamatis Tripodis
Duration: 25 seconds
Synopsis: Short video that shows evidence that drowning is everywhere including history, mythology, religion, hollywood, and real life. It encourages viewers to get formal education.
Auspice: International Swimming Hall of Fame, National School of Public Health, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity.
Screened: The Public Statement Announcement was aired nationally in Greece in all television channels after approval by the National Television and Broadcasting Council. It was also screened in the International Aquatic History Symposium and Film Festival 2012 (International Swimming Hall of Fame).
Title: The Wave
Year: 2015
Script/Directing: Dr. Stathis Avramidis
Montage: Stamatis Tripodis
Duration: 24.53 min
Synopsis: The film describes the life and work of Prof. Dimitris Hatziharistos (20.3.1956-16.2.2014). Prof. Hatziharistos was born by a poor family in Greece. He pioneered in Greek physical education by making technology serving the purposes and the needs of a physical education teacher. He created the computer program "Athlos". During all his life he served higher ideals of humanity and the use of physical education inspiring his students. The film contains unpublished footage from his life together with interviews by relatives, friends, his students and colleagues from Athens University.
Screened: Memorial Gathering for Prof. Dimitris Hatziharistos by the Union of Academics of the School of Sport Science and Physical Education at the University of Athens.
