If you ask a foreign tourist why he chose her Skopelos on his summer vacation this year, it is very likely that he will tell you how he ended up on Sporades Island, because Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seyfried once served there for his needs “Mamma Mia!” Even if, fortunately, it has been 14 years since the successful musical went to the Aegean, and from there to the theaters of the world. You can also find on the cobblestones of Argostoli some “forgotten” tourist who decided to visit Kefalonia because back in 2001 he saw her in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”.

If once shooting foreign productions in our country looked like “exotic” exceptions, now they are becoming more and more the “norm”. In recent years, Greece has turned into a film and television “playground”. for numerous foreign, but also domestic, extroverted productions that took the “Greek Brand” to a new level.

OUR Maggie Gyllenhaal traveled to Spetses send her Olivia Coleman V “Lost Daughter” which has been streaming on Netflix since the Venice Film Festival. ABOUT Ruben Ostlund decided to place his “Bunuel” satire “Triangle of Sorrow” partly also on its own beach Thousand V Euboea. OUR Daniel Craig turned into detective Benoit Blanc for the second time to stay in a futuristic mansion in Porto Heli, For “The Glass Bow: The Mystery of the Knives”.

And in order not to overdo it, internal “Maestro”, his recent TV comeback i.e. Christophoros Papakaliatis became the first Greek television production to reach Netflix make them Paxos known in all corners of the world (and it is not at all excluded that at the time of this writing, someone confirms their reservation of a room on the island). Back in March “Milky Way”, his first television work Vasilis Kekatu which we expect to see in the new season, became the first Greek series presented at the festival Series Mania.

In addition, currently the French TV series “Greek salad” it’s up in the air Amazon Prime. In his episodes you will recognize his streets and alleys Omonia and from Exarchion, his point of view Lycabettus And her Acropolis, its surroundings Scabies And Monastiraki.

The phenomenon of film tourism.

One can go on “naming” the producers who have chosen Greece for their filming, but this long list confirms one thing: our country is becoming a dynamic “player” in the cinema, which is increasingly chosen by film/television crews, announcing their angles to the next tourists who visit it .

“The areas that become world famous after the design of the works are the pole of tourist attraction, not only in the short term, but also for many years after their design,” confirms Dimitra Kutsu, through WE ARE COMING (National Center for Audiovisual Media and Communications).

ABOUT “cinema tourism” after all, this is an international event. So some will go to Sicily in the summer because they were crazy about the second season of The White Lotus, while some have Croatia and New Zealand on their wishlist for years because of Game of Thrones. “. and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, respectively.

The numbers speak for themselves: according to the latest figures from a major US travel company (source: EXPEDIA), 40% travelers states that he has booked a trip to his next destination inspired by his favorite series/movie, while 2/3 travelers around the world have thought about moving accordingly. In particular, for the “movie tourism” market, estimates are such that up to 2032 will reach $128.78 million.

Of course, the tourism campaigns of countries annually attract many visitors to the respective destination. But no matter how many idyllic island posters you see, the scene of two beloved characters (and often two recognizable actors) next to the landmark will still have a different, very special dynamic. That is why, of course we identify ourselves more or less with TV or movie characters and we strive to “get into their shoes.” Even if it means taking a selfie where our favorite movie was once filmed. Significantly, a recent study found that reservations for France in 2023 increased by 20% due to popular TV series filmed in the country and broadcast on a major platform.

Back to us, EKOME, an organization that has supported cinematography on Greek soil for the past five years, was signed at the beginning of the year. Memorandum of Cooperation with the Hellenic Tourism Organization (HTO). According to Dimitra Kutsu, the goal is “to exchange know-how to promote the brand “Greece”, the Greek tourism product and modern Greek culture at the international level through audiovisual productions.

After all, the turning point for the rapid development of the domestic audiovisual industry was cash discount investment incentive managed by ECOM. Simply put, with a “cash discount”, if someone chooses Greece to shoot an audiovisual project (short/long feature films, series, animation, documentaries, video games), he is entitled to How many? state aid for 40% (at an acceptable cost) and can reach up to 12 million euros. In parallel, the program is being implemented tax break which provides 30% tax exemption for investments in domestic production, which can combined with a “cash discount” and be covered in this way up to 50% of the total cost production”.

“Cash Discount” in numbers

-From April 2018 to mid-April 2023, the payment of assistance is completed. 130 audiovisual works (fiction and short fiction films, fiction series, TV documentaries, documentaries, sequels, digital games) total 64,882,548.86 euros.

-The 2022 was a record year for audiovisual production in Greece. Eventually 61 projects (domestic, cross-border and international production) were supported by a “cash rebate” of EUR 33,885,500.40.

– What 2023 continues at the same pace as from the beginning of the year to 04.11.2023 they have already increased 29 projects with quantity EUR 20,194,538.50.

-Total investments in Greece from project costs that have been or are expected to be subject to “cashback” is more than 700 million euros.

-According to the details of the applications, they have already been created more than 80,000 jobs (tentatively mentioned: actors, technicians, assistants, film crew, etc.).

-Shooting is now taking place throughout Greece in over 200 locations.

Greece, an offer you can’t refuse

According to Dimitra Koutsou, as production in Greece grows, so do the services provided. In addition to numerous locations what can be found in our country – because it is not only sandy beaches and blue water on the beaches – we should not underestimate the fact that we have sunlight almost 365 days, which helps in shooting. She emphasizes that in our country professionals with rich experience, and regional “cinema office” they exist to serve stakeholders even better. “All of the above creates a very attractive ‘package’ and our efforts – through EKOME’s participation in international markets and festivals – should maximize Greece’s comparative advantage, which is expected to become even more competitive. , with investments in infrastructure,” he notes.

What is Aaron Eckhart doing in Aristotle?

This is one area that has undoubtedly “took the upper hand” thanks to “cash rebates”. region of Central Macedonia. Over the past two years, five major international productions have been filmed here, featuring Hollywood names such as Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, Antonio Banderas.

Among these films and “Mason” To Aaron Eckhart which is expected to be released in theaters on July. It’s a scripted film set in her town. Thessaloniki, which is estimated to play an important role in the city’s “name” to foreign audiences.

As explained Alexandros Thanos, Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, The advantages of foreign production are twofold. To begin with, the team itself and famous actors who come to the same site. strengthen the local economyalthough they are also made informal “ambassadors” this. Simply put, even the news that they are here is advertising. If they enjoy their stay, even a positive post or statement they make can be the best advertisement for the place.

With regard to central Macedonia, the deputy governor believes that From september, by the time a solid interval has passed since the showing of The Mason, it will gradually begin to be felt first footprint in tourism, expecting to influence an audience like the audience USA.

3, 2, 1, let’s go

And the shooting continues. As an example, some of the productions that are either already underway or will be filmed in Greece in the near future:

“Maestro” (second cycle, domestic production)
Where; Athens, Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos.

“Tehran” (third cycle, co-production of Greece and Israel)
Where; Athens, Piraeus and Aspropyrgos.

“Bye Marianne” (TV series, Greece-Canada-Norway co-production)
Where; Attica and Hydra.

“Killer Heat” (film, overseas co-production)
Where; Attica and Crete.

“The Child Who Measured the World” (film, Greece-France co-production)
Where; Attica, Spetses, Achaia prefecture.

“The Woman with Seven Lives” (film, Greece-Cyprus co-production)
Where; Attica, Chalkis and Central Greece.

“Witch” (series, domestic production)
Where; Athens, Areopolis, Kardamyli, Tainaro and Tripoli.

“17 threads” (series, domestic production)
Where; Athens and Cythera.

“Error” (film, domestic production)
Where; Attica and Boeotia.

“Snowballs” (film, domestic production)
Where; Attica and the prefecture of Ioannina.