Online event for the completion of the European project Interreg CIAK and the operation of the Film Office of the Region of Western Greece

The Region of Western Greece successfully completed the event for the completion of the European project Interreg CIAK: “Common Initiatives to AcKnowledge and valorize tourism potential of the program area through cinema” and the operation of the Film Office of the Region of Western Greece.

Initially, the event was greeted by the Governor of Western Greece Mr. Nektarios Farmakis who pointed out the need to promote, highlight and utilize the intangible wealth of the Region of Western Greece which is being achieved through the creation and operation of the Film Office which is also an important action for the tourism and cultural development of the region.

Then, the Deputy Regional Governor of Entrepreneurship, Research and Innovation Mr. Fokion Zaimis referred to the desire of the Region of Western Greece to operate the Film Office immediately and the need to strengthen the effort with human resources, appropriate equipment and expertise from the joint (EKOME), while at the same time announced the participation and utilization of other programs from the Region of Western Greece that will strengthen the initiative and which are related to the Creative Industry sector.

Mr. Panos Kouanis President and CEO of EKOME, referred to the goal of the organization to create a tourism ecosystem that will aim to support entrepreneurship and job creation and in which the most favorable conditions will prevail for any producer from in Greece or from abroad, it was pointed out that this is achieved through investment, digitization and training by the institution while the Film offices are the infrastructure of such an ecosystem which he characterized as growth cells for the region. 

Ms. Venia Vergou, Director of the Hellenic Film Commission, described the actions of the Hellenic Film Commission which aims to attract and facilitate producers from abroad, while emphasizing the need for cooperation and networking with other Film Commissions abroad and with all Film Offices that have or will be created per Region throughout Greece. 

Ms. Evangelia Athanasopoulou, Executive Director and Project Manager of the Interreg CIAK project informed the participants about the objectives and content of the project, as well as the actions and results that emerged per work package.

Ms. Theodora Kanellakopoulou, representative of the Contractor Data Consultants, presented the design study of the model of organization and operation of the Film Office of Western Greece as well as the website and the internet databases that have been created for it.

The event ended with a discussion by the speakers about the results of the project and the next steps required for the immediate operation of the Film office of Western Greece.