ΕΚΟΜΕ at the 74th Cannes Film Festival and Film Market

The 74th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival concluded with significant distinctions and a strong Greek presence at the Marché du Film.

A view of the Greek Pavilion at the Marché du Film

The strategic cooperation between EKOME and the Greek Film Centre, which was inaugurated at this year’s Festival, opens new prospects for audiovisual production, giving the opportunity to producers, distributors, and sales agents to come into contact with the institutional representatives of the Greek film industry and be informed about the comparative advantages of Greece in the implementation of audiovisual works.

General Dir. GFC P. Mitropoulos, President GFC M. Holevas, President and CEO EKOME P. Kouanis

Panos Kouanis’ interview to Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation- ERT

Panos Kouanis, President and CEO of EKOME, stated in his interview to ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation): “The joint presence of EΚOME the Greek Film Centre is the proof of the strategic cooperation of the two institutions for an assertive national representation at major international Festivals and Markets so that Greece has a much stronger presence abroad […]. We are in Cannes this year with two goals: to attract audiovisual projects in Greece while promoting the Greek cinema to foreign markets and audiences.”

Watch the full interview on ERT programme “From 6” here

Great distinction for the film “Brutalia”

A great distinction at the Cannes Film Festival for the short film “Brutalia, Working Days” directed by Manolis Mavris, which was awarded the Canal+ award in the prominent section of the Critique Week. The film was supported by EKOME and the Greek Film Centre and was co-produced by AVION FILMS, Stathi Twins & Tarantula Belgique.

Cast and crew of “Brutalia” before the screening during Critique Week

Thessaloniki Goes to Cannes

In the framework of the action “Thessaloniki Goes to Cannes” (12/7), six selected Greek films in the development stage, were presented to sales agents, distributors, and film programmers in order to find opportunities for distribution. Among the films selected for the action organized by the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in collaboration with the Greek Film Centre, were two works (“Behind the Themonies”, directed by Asimina President, produced by Argonauts Productions & “Winter with Valmira”, directed by Maria Drouza, produced by Steficon) that have been included in the Greek cash rebate programme and are implemented with the support of EKOME.

A Greek celebration

Within the framework of the 74th Cannes International Film Festival, EKOME and the Greek Film Centre had the pleasure, on July 11^th, to welcome producers, festival representatives, film contributors, and professionals of the international audiovisual industry, to celebrate Greek cinema and Greece as a rising force in the field of attracting audiovisual productions.

Moments from the reception at the Greek Pavilion, hosted by EKOME and the Greek Film Centre

Bill Murray at the Greek Pavilion

Shortly before the world premiere of the documentary “New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization” that participated in the festival’s official program, Bill Murray and the film’s cast held a press conference at the Greek Pavilion.

The documentary, which has a Greek identity produced by Neda Film and supported by the Greek Film Centre, is the fruit of a collaboration between German cellist Jan Fogler and actor Bill Murray. The show toured 55 cities around the world and ended with a touching evening at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens.

Actor Bill Murray, cellist Jan Vogler, director Andrew Muscato, pianist Vanessa Perez, and violinist Mira Wang

A student film from Argos gets noticed in Cannes

The award ceremony of the student film “An Infinite Love” at the Global Short Film Awards in Cannes, with the first prize in the Best Romance Film category, was also touching. The film was created by a group of teachers and students of the 1st Vocational Highschool (EPAL) and the 1st Laboratory Centre of Argos was awarded for the first time by EKOME in 2019 in the framework of the student competition “Your story is the story of your town”, co-organized by EKOME. We had the pleasure of meeting the representatives at Cannes and applaud them on their significant success.

Director of the 1st Laboratory Centre of Argos, Greece, N. Pistevos, and professor G. Demos with the film award

We congratulate the Greek filmmakers and producers for the special distinctions they won at the Festival and we renew our appointment with Cannes for 2022 inviting you to discover the enchanting studio called Greece!