Cinema on a Plate under the aegis of the City of Athens

For the fourth consecutive year in Athens, from 1 to 22 March and with two new activities - the Kids Festival and Soup Kitchens-Live Cooking -- recognised chefs will translate the atmosphere of various films into mouthwatering flavours.

Cinema on a Plate, after its first presentation in the sister capital at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in October 2009, returns to its birthplace for the fourth year in a row. From 1 to 22 March and every Monday and Tuesday, 14 recognised chefs will translate seven film into flavours. The public will be able to enjoy their favourite films at the Apollon and Nirvana theatres and then get a taste of original cine-menus at the most famous restaurants in Athens. The association between the film and the meaning and flavour of the food becomes an excuse for an artistic event. The four- to five-dish menus, including wine or beer, will again cost €30 a person. This year, the festival will feature two premieres: Everybody's Fine with Robert De Niro and Fantastic Mr Fox, a new film by Wes Anderson with stop-motion animation.

Two new activities are being launched this year. The Cinema on a Plate Kids Festival, especially for children aged 4-10, will be held on three Sunday mornings -- 7, 14 and 21 March -- and will include a series of events: a unique breakfast for our young friends, scientific talks by nutritionists for parents, educational games, gifts, cooking advice from famous television chefs, book readings by popular actors and naturally, the showing of a children's film dubbed into Greek.

In addition, in the belief that a common table brings us closer together and creates new relationships, two "Soup Kitchens-Live Cooking" events will be held. This term was chosen to represent the idea that large communal tables, where people who are strangers and different from each other, can dine together and share a common experience. In open kitchens and dining halls, well-known chefs will prepare "democratic" meals and the proceeds will be given to the Homeless Kitchen of the City of Athens.

This effort is being supported by Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo), which promotes activities that showcase and communicate an integrated and competitive identity for Athens. In addition, the festival is being sponsored by the Athenian Brewery, Aria Gefseon caterers, Public stores, Korres Natural Products and Melissa Pasta Kids. Communication sponsors include Mega Channel, Vimagourmet, VIMagazino, Mommy magazine, best radio 92.6, en lefko, mixtape. gr and elculture.gr.

Cinema on a Plate is a way to bring people closer together, to remember what it is that unites them through the art of cinema and gastronomy.