Greece will host the 39th European Film Awards in a milestone moment for the country’s cinematic heritage and for the wider region. Athens will welcome the ceremony on January 16, 2027, marking the first time the European Film Awards will be held in Southeastern Europe.
The Greek National Opera, located within the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, is set to host the event, bringing one of Greece’s premier cultural venues to the center of one of European cinema’s most prestigious nights.
Nationwide program builds momentum for Athens 2027
An extensive program running throughout 2026 and into 2027 will lead up to the awards ceremony. It will feature film events, screenings, workshops, creative dialogues, and a range of other initiatives designed to build momentum in Greece and abroad ahead of the main event.
The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center EKKOMED developed the program in collaboration with key cultural partners, and it will coordinate the full schedule of activities. Meanwhile, Greek public broadcaster ERT will partner with organizers to air the European Film Awards ceremony live across Europe.
Berlinale launch introduced Greece’s European Film Awards 2027
Organizers officially announced Athens 2027 earlier this year during the Berlinale, at a reception held at the Embassy of Greece in Berlin. The event was organized by EKKOMED in collaboration with the European Film Academy and the European Film Awards Committee.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from filmmakers, producers, institutional representatives, and leading industry professionals, underscoring the significance of hosting the awards in Greece for the first time.
Thessaloniki event marked first step in Greece
Greece’s first Athens 2027-related event took place last week at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. Organized in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Film Festival, the Documentary Think Tank opened the annual program connected to the European Film Awards.
The gathering brought together voices from across the European documentary community and aimed to help shape the vision and priorities of the European Film Academy’s Documentary Department, set to launch in 2027.
European Film Awards festivals across Greece will serve as ambassadors
In the months leading up to the awards, EKKOMED will organize activities linked to the 39th European Film Awards at major international festivals where it has a presence, including Cannes and Venice.
Simultaneously, a wide-ranging program of events, screenings, and workshops will take place across Greece. Several key festivals will act as ambassadors for the awards ahead of January 2027, including the:
- Thessaloniki Film Festival in November 2026
- Drama International Short Film Festival in April and September 2026
- Animasyros International Animation Festival in September 2026 in Syros and Athens
- Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People in December 2026 in Pyrgos and Amaliada
Athens institutions join lead-up to awards
Several major Athens-based organizations are joining the initiative, including the:
Together, these institutions will showcase diverse aspects of European cinema and help extend the program’s reach to broader audiences.
Hellenic Film Academy to curate special program
The Hellenic Film Academy will curate a special program under a dedicated Memorandum of Cooperation, with financial support from EKKOMED. The initiative aims to highlight the rich and multifaceted relationship between Greek cinema and European filmmaking.
As a result, audiences across the country will have the chance to meet filmmakers, attend screenings, join discussions, and celebrate the creativity and diversity of European cinema in the lead-up to Athens 2027.