The event provides a great opportunity for Greece to promote Greek art, culture and design, and to focus on Greece as a high-quality destination for film shoots and as an attractive partner for co-productions, thanks to a recently improved and excellent support cash rebate scheme.
The choice for Athens is an important recognition of the Greek film industry and presents the country as an interesting filmmaking destination as well as an integral part of Europe’s film culture right in the Southeastern part of the European continent.
The announcement was made by the European Film Academy and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre (HFAC) – Creative Greece, acting as the coordinator of the Greek consortium comprised of the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Economy and Finance, City of Athens, Region of Attica, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, and the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation ERT.
Matthijs Wouter Knol, Academy CEO, states:
We are delighted to announce that the European Film Awards will be taking place in the magnificent city of Athens. Greece, with its rich cultural heritage and profound cinematic history, provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating the achievements of European cinema. The vibrant Greek film industry of today will undoubtedly inspire a celebration of European cinema, also during the annual Month of European Film that precedes the award ceremony. We look forward to honouring the best in European filmmaking in such an extraordinary setting.
For the first time traveling to Southeastern Europe, the ceremony of the 39th European Film Awards 2027 will take place in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), preceded by the traditional Mayor’s Night reception on the eve of the award ceremony at the Zappeion Megaron.
Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece:
We are incredibly proud that the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – Creative Greece has successfully secured Athens as the host city of the 39th European Film Awards an event that takes place for the first time in the Southeastern Europe. The selection of Athens highlights the city’s long and rich cultural heritage and also reflects Greece’s growing dynamism and influence in the European film and audiovisual industry. We feel ready, with the support of the European Film Academy, to welcome this grand celebration of European cinema that will honour art, creativity, talent and the innovative spirit of filmmakers from across Europe.
Around 1,300 guests will attend the award ceremony on Saturday 16 January 2027. Media partner ERT, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, supported by the European Broadcasting Union, will air the show live in Greece and throughout Europe as well as enable European partners to livestream the event simultaneously.
A high number of Greek talents (158) are members of the European Film Academy.
Dr. Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic:
Athens welcomes one of the most iconic events in European cinema, having the honour of hosting, for the first time, the 39th European Film Awards ceremony. The initiative belongs to the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center S.A. – Creative Greece, which also co-organises the event.
The selection of Athens confirms its dynamism as an international cultural hub, hosting events of global significance, serving as a vibrant nucleus of the contemporary creative industry, and boosting the extroversion of domestic audiovisual production. A
t the same time, it presents an outstanding opportunity to renew the ties between Greek creators and their European counterparts. It highlights the high-quality work of Greek creators, proving that the systematic efforts of the Ministry of Culture, through continuous encouragement and substantial support of the Greek audiovisual sector, are bearing fruit.
By combining artistic excellence with commercial extroversion, it demonstrates that culture constitutes both a good and a product, supporting those who work in the sector. I am confident that, in a few days, creators and audiences will enjoy a unique event, whose success is guaranteed.
