09/05/2006

Born in Arcadia, Greece, in 1957, Panos Papahadzis studied Film Directing in Athens and entered the film industry in 1981. He founded the production company Hyperion in 1987 to introduce and promote novice Greek directors in the Greek and European markets through feature films, documentaries, shorts and TV series.
Hyperion's production of Antonis Kokkinos' End Of An Era (Telos Epochis) was the first feature film after 1986 to post 200,000 plus admissions in Greece in 1995, and this was followed in 1997 by Olga Malea's The Cow's Orgasm (O Orgasmos tis Ageladas) which was seen by 230,000 cinema-goers.
In 2003, he set up Argonauts Productions S.A. with a fresh and dynamic outlook towards contemporary Greek cinema.
Panos took part in the EAVE training programme and is a member of the European Producers Club and the European Film Academy.

What are the difficulties facing an up-and-coming producer in the current film environment in Greece?
Panos Papahadzis: At present in the Greek film industry one could identify a changing environment when it comes to film production, since a new policy about culture and filmmaking, in particular, is been drafted by the Greek government. Independent companies and producers have access to means that make films both technically and artistically better. Local private funding and funding from European organisations make Greek production stronger and more competitive in Europe. In addition, European and international co-productions, already in development, will push Greek films distribution to these markets by creating new opportunities for future collaborations.

Are the new advanced technologies being introduced every day going to make cinema any better – or easier – for a producer?
New and advanced technologies push film production further. It is a means of exploring and challenging the boundaries of filmmaking, especially for low and medium budget films, by having the freedom to create in a CGI environment or in post-production the desired technical and artistic outcome without requiring vast amounts of funding.
In addition, this technological input to filmmaking will not only change film production but will also launch new approaches to film producing efficiency by establishing dynamic partnerships between film producers and new media companies.

What do you expect from your inclusion in EFP's Producers on the Move programme?
It is always a great pleasure to meet with fellow European producers; an opportunity to exchange ideas and thoughts, present our work and projects in development. I believe that EFP’s Producers on the Move programme will provide me with a handful of new contacts from talented up-and-coming producers, with whom we will establish a strong network of communication to work on future projects.

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