Greece Honored as Country of Honor at Cannes Film Market 2027

The Marché du Film announced that Greece will serve as the Country of Honor for the 2027 Cannes Film Market, which runs 11–19 May during the 80th Cannes Film Festival. The program, branded “Ride the Greek Wave,” will showcase Greece’s audiovisual sector throughout the market.

Deadline HollywoodVariety Magazine“Ride the Greek Wave”: Greece Named Country of Honor for Cannes 2027

Greece’s selection follows a surge in international activity. Greece will host the European Film Awards in January 2027 and maintains Cannes ties through director Yorgos Lanthimos, whose five films have appeared in the Official Selection, winning Un  Certain Regard for *Dogtooth* and the Jury Prize for *The Lobster*. Recent productions like Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey* and Netflix’s *Emily in Paris* have used Greece’s 40 % cash-rebate incentive and varied locations. The audiovisual sector contributes €1.9 billion to the economy, supports roughly 44 000 jobs, and includes nearly 3 000 companies in production, post-production, animation and related services.

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The honor signals Greece’s emergence as a European audiovisual hub, likely drawing foreign investment and co-production deals. Showcasing domestic talent with international projects can boost creative-service exports, sustain jobs and deepen Mediterranean cultural exchange.

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The Marché du Film highlighted Greece’s “remarkable momentum” and praised its “creativity, openness, and international collaboration.” EKKOMED called the honor a “significant recognition” and a platform for Greece’s “vibrant creative ecosystem” worldwide.

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• “With the remarkable momentum of its film and audiovisual industry today, Greece embodies the spirit of creativity, openness, and international collaboration that the Marché du Film seeks to celebrate through its Country of Honour initiative,” — Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director, Marché du Film

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• “As Mediterranean neighbors connected by centuries of cultural exchange, we are delighted to welcome Greece into the spotlight in Cannes and look forward to showcasing the extraordinary talent, stories, and opportunities emerging from this new Greek wave.” — Guillaume Esmiol

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• “This distinction is both a significant recognition and a unique opportunity to showcase Greece’s vibrant creative ecosystem on the international stage. Today, Greece is a place where cinematic heritage meets contemporary talent, innovation, and international collaboration.” — Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO, EKKOMED

“Ride the Greek Wave”: Greece Named Country of Honor for Cannes 2027

• “This distinction is both a significant recognition and a unique opportunity to showcase Greece’s vibrant creative ecosystem on the international stage.” — Leonidas Christopoulos

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Details on the “Ride the Greek Wave” program—panels, screenings and networking events—will be released in the months before the May 2027 market. Greece’s Country of Honor status should shape the selection of Greek productions and co-production deals during the festival.

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