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Greece is developing into a film center of attraction, which is attempting to further strengthen the audiovisual industry through a new five-year plan and the creation of a public film school.
In this context, the program “Greece on Screen 2026-2030“, which aims to strengthen the sector and increase employment by about 15%.
As reported by “K” in her recent reportthe plan of the Hellenic Film Center for Audiovisual Media and Creation (EKKOMED) and the Ministry of Culture provides for the strengthening of the organization’s resources with approximately 700 million euros over a period of five years, for the cash rebate (return of part of the costs in productions shot in Greece), selective and educational programs.
Meanwhile, this trend has been reflected more and more recently, with international productions arriving in the country for filming. It was typical the recent appearance of Cillian Murphy at the Lenorman Street Tobacco Factory;for the filming of his new movie Damien Sazelin which the Daniel Craig and the Michelle Williams. For the needs of the production, a prison scene was set up in the basement of the building, while Murphy and Craig were seen together in a subsequent shoot on a beach in Attica.
This is not, however, an isolated case. A little earlier, Greece had hosted the international production “The Riders» with him Brad Pittwith filming in Hydra and in areas such as Chalkida, Nea Makri and the center of Athens. Meanwhile, the sixth season of “Emily in Paris” is also on the map of the next productions, which –according to a statement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Wednesday’s cabinet– will transfer part of its action in May to Mykonos.
The Greek benefit
Behind this image, with more and more international productions arriving in the country, there are specific factors shaping it.
The main reason for Greece is, according to the director of the Athens Film Office, Stathis Kalogeropoulosthe financial incentives established by the state, but also the development of Film Offices as one-stop-shop services. “An important role, of course, is played by production companies, which offer high-level services that satisfy foreign studios,” he notes.
A recent one shows the same picture study of Olsberg SPI, according to which Greece has benefited in previous years and especially in the last seven years from the presence of foreign film and television producers. Collaborations with Greek production companies they created around 2,900 jobs for Greek artists and technicians.
The ever-increasing presence of large producers creates excitement but also expectations for the imprint they leave on Greece.
On the market side, the head of the Greek production company Heretic, George Karnavastells “K”: “We are primarily interested in liking the project, being able to understand it and learn from it.”
Heretic is currently working with Oscar-winning director Damien Sazel’s company, Wild Chickens Productions. The filming of the film, in which Murphy and Craig participate, will continue in Greece until June. “In a film like Damien Chazelle’s, which has such alluring elements – a very strong script, great actors and a high degree of difficulty – you have a lot to gain. You see how films of this magnitude are made and you also participate in this process”, he notes.
Over 600 people
The director of the Athens Film Office describes a market that has changed noticeably in recent years. “When it officially started in April 2019, Greece could serve only one production at a time, while at the moment more than one foreign production is being shot,” he explains.
According to Mr. Kalogeropoulos, in these productions “they are now employed more than 600 peoplewhile the crews have grown and the possibility of simultaneously serving projects has increased significantly in a few years”.
Productions of such a scale – and even bigger ones – have also been experienced in recent years in Greece, with the “Odyssey» his Christopher Nolanpart of which was filmed in the spring of 2025 in Messinia.
THE Edward Kalimeriscurrently a producer at Argonautes, worked as a production supervisor at “Odyssey». “The most striking fact is that the big projects are nothing more than an enlargement of the smaller producers. This means that the processes must work differently in order to achieve an organic and efficient collaboration,” he explains.
Upward trend
These productions also function as an indirect promotion of the country, bringing Greek locations to an international audience, overall strengthening the image of Greece as a film destination.
At the same time, however, the country has not yet reached the level of a full-fledged cinema hub. “We are in a phase of dynamic growth and steps must be taken both in terms of infrastructure and workforce certification, with the cooperation of the state and private individuals,” notes Mr. Kalogeropoulos. “Furthermore, the creation of Greek content that is marketable internationally is lacking. Other small countries, such as Iceland, have managed to promote their own series abroad through incentives and co-productions with international platforms.”
As the director of the Athens Film Office points out, the stage of new productions in the country is still transitional. “If everything goes smoothly, this year is expected to be one of the best the country has known, despite the international uncertainty.”
