The Athens International Film Festival (Opening Nights) was founded in September 1995 by the Athens Film Society, a non-profit organization. The festival aims to highlight lesser-known aspects and genres of independent cinema, introducing audiences to top productions of the year and serving as an opening to the cinematic season. It features various sections, including International Competition, Stranger Than Fiction for documentaries, Festival Darlings showcasing acclaimed international films, and a Music & Film section. The festival also hosts a competition section for Greek short films.