European Film Awards: The announcement of the nominees

Broadcast live from the Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar” in Thessaloniki, actress Klelia Andriolatou and actor Joes Brauers announced the nominations of the 39th European Film Awards, in a special event which was held on Saturday, November 14th, at the Pavlos Zannas theater, within the framework of the 67th Thessaloniki International Film Festival. The awards ceremony is set to take place, for the very first time, in Athens, Greece on January 16th, 2027.

The Festival’s Artistic Director, Orestis Andreadakis, welcomed the audience, announcing that this year’s European Film Awards kick off in Thessaloniki: “The countdown to this year’s European Film Awards begins right here, from the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, in a just few minutes.”

The Deputy Minister of Culture, responsible for Contemporary Culture, Iason Fotilas, underscored the Ministry of Culture’s active support for Greek cinema, and referred to Greece’s dynamic presence on the European and international cinematic landscape. “In just a few weeks, Greece will welcome the images of the world. In 60 days, we will welcome creators and their films. The grand celebration of European cinema awaits every single one of us. A celebration embraced by the government and the Ministry of Culture from the outset, organized and realized by the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, who are implementing the government’s policy in this sector in such a wondrous manner. Here in Thessaloniki, in Athens in January, in Cannes in May, and then again in Athens in the fall, for the Lumière Alliance, the Ministry of Culture, with Lina Mendoni at its head, supports the blossoming of cinema and audiovisual media in Greece, while the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center is making it a reality. I wish the films and their creators every success,” Iason Fotilas said, wrapping up his speech.

The General Director of the European Film Academy Productions, Jürgen Biesinger, warmly thanked the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, as well as the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center for hosting the event, and placed special emphasis on the creative collaboration among partners from across Europe in preparing the ceremony. “We are gathered here today because, for the first time in the institution’s 39 long years, the European Film Awards are coming to Greece. Today, we will watch the announcement of the nominees, while the awards ceremony itself will also be held in Athens for the first time. The ceremony, which is set to take place on January 16th, 2027, is, in a sense, indicative of the way European cinema operates: as a large-scale European co-production. The creative team is a collaboration between Greek and European artists, and the entire event is funded by European partners. “I’m eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the nominees, as well as the opportunity to see you all again soon in Athens,” he noted.

Finally, the importance of Greece’s selection as the host country for this year’s event was emphasized by Athena Kartalou, the General Director of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED). As she pointed out, the announcement of the nominations marks the beginning of the final stretch leading up to the awards ceremony, which will be held on January 16th, 2027, at the Greek National Opera, within the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

“It’s a great joy and honor to welcome you today on behalf of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, in a landmark moment on our course towards the awards ceremony of the 39th European Film Awards. Today’s unveiling of the nominees on the part of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival marks the official commencement of the final stretch, leading up to the awards presentation - the journey from Thessaloniki to Athens. For the first time in the institution’s history, the European Film Awards travel to Southeast Europe, bringing the heart of European filmmaking to our country,” Athena Kartalou remarked.

“Securing the opportunity to host this event and coordinating it are more than an honor. It represents a concrete affirmation of the strategy of the Greek state, the Ministry of Culture, and the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, aimed at turning Greece into a contemporary, internationally oriented, and attractive hub of film and audiovisual production, as well as a platform for cultural dialogue. Working in close collaboration with the European Film Academy, the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, as the coordinator of the Greek consortium, which includes the Ministries of Culture -National Economy and Finance, and Tourism-, the Attica Region, the Municipality of Athens, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, is preparing an event to match the institution’s international prestige. We look forward to seeing all of you in Athens, in this grand celebration of European cinema,” she went on to add.

The Festival extends its deepest gratitude to the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki-MOMUS, as well as to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki City for their support and for graciously granting the use of the premises of the Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar” for the hosting of the event.

Klelia Andriolatou was dressed by Angelos Bratis.

Joes Brauers was dressed by Hionidis.