Highlights from the Hellenic Film Academy's Iris Awards and the Future of Greek Cinema
Giorgos Georgopoulos’ film "Patty Is Such A Girly Name" swept the Hellenic Film Academy (HELFIAC)’s Iris Awards, winning all seven main prizes, including best film, director, screenplay, and editor. The movie follows a young judo athlete as she pursues her Olympic dream after moving from a remote island to Athens. Premiering at the 2025 Thessaloniki Film Festival, it also took home the best film award.
The debut director award was presented to Krysianna Papadaki and Stergios Dinopoulos for their film "Bearcave," which explores a romantic relationship between two young girls. Lead actress Hara Kyriazi was honored with the best actress award. Christos Passalis was recognized as the best actor for his role in "Beachcomber" by Aristotelis Maragkos, which also received the best DOP award for Giorgos Karvelas.
"Lo" by Thanasis Vassiliou and Konstantinos Vasilaros was awarded the best feature documentary, while Elias Dimitriou’s "Maricel," a film about a Filipino domestic worker in a Cypriot village, won the best feature fiction (Greek Minority co-production) award. Pandelis Voulgaris received an honorary Iris for his illustrious career in filmmaking.
The 39th European Film Awards, set to take place in Athens on January 16, 2027, were officially launched during the HELFIAC gala. The event marked the beginning of a six-month celebration leading up to the prestigious awards ceremony. The Greek film industry expressed optimism following the announcement of a record €750m budget for the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED) for the period 2026-2030.
Industry leaders welcomed the increased budget allocation, which is expected to support both local and foreign productions filming in Greece. The decision to boost the audiovisual budget was based on a report by consultancy Olsberg SPI, highlighting the economic benefits of the country's film and TV incentive program. The positive atmosphere at the HELFIAC gala was further amplified by the news that Greece would be the country of honor at the 2027 Marche du Film in Cannes.
In conclusion, the Hellenic Film Academy's Iris Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in Greek cinema, showcasing the talent and creativity of the industry's filmmakers. The recognition of diverse films and performances underscored the vibrant storytelling and artistic vision present in Greek cinema. The future looks promising with increased government support and international recognition, setting the stage for continued growth and success in the Greek film industry.