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Athens to Host the 39th European Film Awards on 16 January 2027
Athens will become the first city in Southeastern Europe to host the 39th European Film Awards on 16 January 2027. This landmark achievement follows a successful bid submitted by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (Creative Greece) to the European Film Academy, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Tourism.
The event represents a historic milestone for the Greek film industry and significantly enhances Greece's presence on the European and international cultural stage.
Creative Greece, in close collaboration with the European Film Academy, will oversee the organization of the awards ceremony and the extensive program of parallel cultural events leading up to January 2027. The event will also be supported by the Municipality of Athens, the Region of Attica, ERT – Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Statement by Dr. Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture
"Athens is honored to host one of Europe's most prestigious cinematic events by welcoming the 39th European Film Awards for the first time. This achievement, made possible through the initiative of Creative Greece, confirms Athens' position as an international cultural destination and strengthens the global visibility of Greece's audiovisual industry.
This event creates new opportunities for Greek filmmakers to engage with their European counterparts, showcasing the outstanding quality of Greek productions while highlighting the Ministry of Culture's long-term commitment to supporting the country's creative industries. It demonstrates that culture is both a public good and a dynamic economic sector, contributing to artistic excellence and sustainable development. I am confident that this celebration will be an unforgettable success for creators and audiences alike."
Statement by Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of Creative Greece
"We are extremely proud that Creative Greece has secured the hosting of the 39th European Film Awards in Athens, marking the first time this prestigious event will be held in Southeastern Europe.
The selection of Athens reflects both our rich cultural heritage and Greece's growing influence within the European audiovisual and film industries. Together with the European Film Academy, we look forward to welcoming Europe's greatest celebration of cinema, honoring creativity, artistic excellence, talent, and innovation from across the continent."
Statement by Matthijs Wouter Knol, CEO of the European Film Academy
"We are delighted to announce that the European Film Awards will take place in the magnificent city of Athens. Greece's extraordinary cultural heritage and long cinematic tradition provide the perfect setting for celebrating the achievements of European filmmaking.
The vitality and creativity of today's Greek film industry will undoubtedly inspire this celebration of European cinema. We look forward to honoring the very best of European filmmaking in such an exceptional environment."
Statement by Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens
"We are thrilled to welcome the European Film Awards to Athens. Our city combines a remarkable cultural heritage with a vibrant contemporary identity, making it one of Europe's most attractive destinations.
Athens was recognized as the World's Leading Cultural City Destination in 2024, and through the Athens Film Office we continue to support both international and domestic film productions. Our historic landmarks, unique neighborhoods, and dynamic atmosphere offer filmmakers an extraordinary setting. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across Europe to this remarkable celebration of cinema."
Parallel Events and Strategic Partnerships
As part of the celebrations:
- The Municipality of Athens will host the Mayor's Gala Evening at the historic Zappeion Hall.
- The Thessaloniki International Film Festival will organize special initiatives highlighting the history and achievements of Greek cinema.
- The main awards ceremony will take place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), welcoming approximately 1,300 international guests, including European Film Academy members, filmmakers, industry leaders, and international media representatives.
- ERT, in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will broadcast the ceremony throughout Europe.
About the European Film Awards
Established in 1988 in Berlin, the European Film Awards celebrate excellence in European filmmaking and honor the continent's finest cinematic achievements.
While Berlin hosts the ceremony every two years, the event rotates among Europe's leading cultural capitals, including London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Malta, Riga, Seville, and Reykjavík.
Following Lucerne (Switzerland) in 2024 and Berlin in 2025, Athens will proudly host the 39th European Film Awards in 2027, placing Greece at the heart of Europe's cinematic community and reaffirming its growing international role in film, culture, and audiovisual production.