26/02/2026 - The new programme will introduce reinforced support for domestic releases, cinema exhibitors, international premieres and participation in work-in-progress platforms and co-production markets

The Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (EKKOMED) has announced a new €1.25 million support programme dedicated to the promotion and distribution of Greek cinematic works, marking a strategic expansion of its activity beyond production incentives and into the fields of exhibition and international circulation.

The initiative is aimed at films being released in Greek cinemas or preparing for their international premieres, and projects in development or post-production which have secured participation in recognised international industry platforms. The scheme will be implemented by the Promotion and Distribution Unit of the General Directorate of Greek Cinema, with applications opening on 27 February.

Structured across four complementary strands, the programme seeks to intervene across the entire value chain of a film’s life, from development and market positioning to theatrical exhibition and audience outreach.

The first strand focuses on supporting the domestic distribution of Greek films. Building on a funding line introduced in the previous period, this action sees that budget increase substantially from €100,000 to €300,000. This boost is designed to strengthen the commercial prospects and visibility of new Greek releases within the local theatrical market.

The second strand will introduce a new incentive mechanism targeting cinema exhibitors. With a budget of approximately €700,000, the measure establishes a performance-based model which rewards cinemas for screening Greek productions. Participating exhibitors will commit to programming Greek films on a regular basis and will receive financial support proportionate to the number of tickets sold for these screenings. This action aims to increase the number of films appearing on screens across the country, to encourage audience development and to provide greater programming stability for Greek titles. The relevant platform will open in September 2026 and will focus on screenings held between January and August that same year.

International visibility forms the focus of the third strand, which supports Greek films selected for international premieres in recognised film festivals and their associated markets, irrespective of whether they are EKKOMED-backed co-productions. For 2026, the maximum levels of support have been increased and are categorised into three zones according to the scale and profile of the hosting festival, ranging from €5,000 to €20,000.

The fourth strand introduces support for projects participating in work-in-progress showcases and co-production markets. Fiction and documentary films, both short and feature-length, as well as animation and VR projects in pre-production or post-production stages are all eligible, provided they have been selected by recognised international festivals or audiovisual industry events. Funding for participation in a work-in-progress screening is capped at €3,000 per project. The objective is to facilitate access to international sales agents, distributors and festival programmers, thereby strengthening the global trajectory of Greek projects at a crucial stage in their development.

With this new programme, EKKOMED is signalling a broader policy orientation which extends beyond production financing towards reinforcing the structural ecosystem of Greek cinema, from development and market access to theatrical exhibition and audience engagement, both domestically and internationally.