Spotlight on Greece: Country of Honour at the 2027 Cannes Marché du Film
Greece has been selected as the country of honour at the 2027 Cannes Marché du Film, which will be held from May 11-19. The market will feature various events, showcases, and networking opportunities to showcase prominent Greek directors, producers, and executives. Greece has been a longstanding partner at the Cannes market, with a strong presence at the International Village and close collaboration with the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center and Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Over the past decade, Greece has established itself as a popular filming destination, offering incentives, diverse locations, and a robust production ecosystem. The country's audiovisual sector contributes significantly to the economy, generating $2.2 billion (€1.9 billion) and supporting around 44,000 jobs. With nearly 3,000 companies involved in production, post-production, animation, and related creative services, Greece has become a hub for filmmakers and industry professionals.
Greek filmmakers have made a mark at Cannes in recent years, with directors like Yorgos Lanthimos gaining international recognition. Lanthimos' films, including "Dogtooth," "The Lobster," "The Killing Of A Sacred Deer," and "Kinds Of Kindness," have been selected for prestigious competitions at Cannes. This year, Greece's Konstantina Kotzamani presented "Titanic Ocean" at the festival's Un Certain Regard section.
The Cannes Marché du Film's country of honour initiative, launched in 2021, has previously featured countries like India, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, and Japan. The selection of Greece as the country of honour for 2027 reflects the country's vibrant film and audiovisual industry, characterized by creativity, openness, and international collaboration.
Guillaume Esmiol, the executive director of the Marché du Film, emphasized Greece's remarkable momentum in the film industry and its alignment with the spirit of the initiative. Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of Ekkomed - Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, highlighted the significance of this recognition for Greece's creative ecosystem and its potential to showcase the country's cinematic heritage and contemporary talent on a global platform.
The 2027 Cannes Film Festival, featuring Greece as the country of honour, is scheduled to take place from May 11-22. This prestigious event will provide a unique opportunity to celebrate Greece's rich film culture and its contributions to the global film industry.