The Olympion is a grand early-20th-century cinema on Nikis Avenue, right on the seafront, and the main venue of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival each November. During the rest of the year it operates as a functioning cinema and occasional concert or theatre space. The building is one of the best-preserved examples of the interwar neo-Renaissance style in the city.
Even if you don't catch a film, it's worth noting the exterior on a waterfront walk. During the film festival it becomes the city's social hub — directors, actors and cinephiles milling around under the marquee, tickets always harder to get than you hoped. The festival was founded in 1960 and has a strong tradition of showcasing Balkan and southeastern European cinema alongside international releases.