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Venia Vergou • Directora, Hellenic Film Commission

"Grecia ofrece una miríada de elecciones a los productores y a los responsables de localización"

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- Entrevistamos a la directora de la Hellenic Film Commission Venia Vergou para saber más sobre cómo la organización atrae rodajes cinematográficos a Grecia

Venia Vergou  • Directora, Hellenic Film Commission

Este artículo está disponible en inglés.

The Hellenic Film Commission, one of the Greek Film Centre’s directorates, is aiming to encourage international co-productions to film in Greece, and support them while they are doing so. We had a chance to sit down with its director, Venia Vergou, to discuss the challenges that the Hellenic Film Commission faces, as well as its goals and future plans.

Cineuropa: The Hellenic Film Commission, in its current format, is a relatively new part of the Greek Film Centre; could you give us an overview of your role in film production?
Venia Vergou: The Hellenic Film Commission supports international audiovisual productions planning to shoot in Greece as an intermediary in providing information, advice and guidance on filming permits, incentives, locations, an industry guide and so on. We connect producers with the local production industry, and we also promote Greece worldwide as a film destination by participating in national and international events and exhibitions. Plus, we collaborate with ministries and local authorities for the benefit of the film industry.

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Why could Greece be considered an attractive destination for international co-productions?
Greece offers a plethora of choices to producers and location managers. From classical Athens and the mountainous hinterland to the gems of the Aegean and the Ionian Seas, the whole of Greece provides a vast range of landscapes: picturesque, traditional villages, unique islands, amazing beaches, forests, gorges, snow-capped mountains, hot springs, canyons, and even volcanoes. Plus, it boasts architecture that spans the millennia, with examples from different eras: historical landmarks with ancient temples and ancient theatres, fortified Byzantine cities, monasteries, medieval fortresses and neoclassical mansions.

There has been always a demand for archaeological sites, which weren’t usually available for filming purposes; what has changed regarding this procedure?
These archaeological sites are indeed in great demand. We have been collaborating closely with the Ministry of Culture in order to give a new, more film-friendly, direction to the application process, and we expect to have the Ministerial Decision signed soon.

Which productions have chosen Greek locations recently?
The TV series The Little Drummer Girl (see the news), produced by The Ink Factory, AMC and the BBC, directed by Park Chan-wook, starring Florence Pugh and Alexander Skarsgård, completed 24 filming days at landmark Greek locations (including the Acropolis) in spring 2018. Another TV Series, The Durrells, wrapped filming its fourth season in Corfu this October. Also, Tiger Zinda Hai, one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, filmed the song for the closing titles, “Swag Se Swagat”, in Naxos in October 2017.

Can you reveal any of the upcoming productions that will be shot in the country?
They include Michael Winterbottom’s untitled film starring Steve Coogan, which recently completed filming on the islands of Mykonos and Delos. Sumendia, directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez and starring Emma Suárez, also recently completed 30 days of filming on the island of Nisyros. Finally, Quicksand, to be directed by Mark Brozel, and starring David Tennant and Emily Watson, is slated to shoot in April 2019 on the island of Crete.

On the financial side of things, does Greece offer any support to international co-productions?
Greece offers a 35% cash rebate. Following a successful initial implementation period in spring 2018, the cash rebate now amounts to 35% on the eligible expenses incurred in Greece for all beneficiaries. Producers will have access to state aid once they pass the cultural test and spend at least €100,000 in eligible expenses in Greece in the case of feature films or documentaries, and €60,000 in the case of digital games. Moreover, the updated legislation provides a more flexible floor for television series, starting at €30,000 per episode, with a minimum of all eligible expenses set at €100,000, while projects are financed without a cap. The 35% cash rebate is administered by EKOME SA.

As was the case last year, Greece is participating in the second edition of the EUFCN Location Award. Could you give us some more details about why you selected Corfu this year?
All of the episodes of seasons 1-4 of The Durrells, the highly popular ITV and PBS miniseries, were filmed on the island of Corfu. From 2015 to October 2018, cast and crew members from the UK visited the island and worked closely with the Greek crew members (both Athenians and Corfiots) on one of the most beautiful Greek isles. We strongly believe that this “harmonious European shooting experience”, as described by producer Christopher Hall, exemplifies what Greek locations have to offer: stunning landscapes, beautiful historical architecture and friendly, welcoming people.

What are the Hellenic Film Commission’s future plans looking like?
We are organising an event on “Locations and Film Tourism in Athens” at the end of November. We are participating as exhibitors in FOCUS – The Meeting Place for International Productions in London in early December. And, of course, we will be present in the Greek Film Centre booth at both the Berlinale and Cannes, as always.

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