A total of 176 international actors, directors, and producers – including Juliette Binoche, Emir Kusturica, and Willem Dafoe – have signed a letter of support for Greece’s struggling film sector, calling on the Culture Ministry and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED) to take immediate action to restore the country’s reputation and financial credibility.
The show of solidarity backs the Greek initiative “Cinema in Greece – Oratotis Miden” (“Zero Visibility”), launched earlier this year by local industry professionals alarmed by severe delays in cash rebate payments to domestic and international producers; delays that have significantly damaged Greece’s standing in the global film community.
The issue gained international attention in May, when Variety and other global media outlets reported during the Cannes Film Festival that, despite the formation of a new film body – EKKOMED | Creative Greece – more than €100 million ($112 million) in promised rebates remained unpaid.
Greek initiative ‘Cinema in Greece – Oratotis Miden’ (Zero Visibility), launched earlier this year by local industry professionals.
EKKOMED was created in 2024 through the merger of EKOME and the Greek Film Center, intended as a fresh start for the country’s audiovisual sector. Yet, over a year later, funding delays and bureaucratic inertia continue to plague the industry.
In June, nearly 1,900 Greek industry professionals launched the “Oratotis Miden” (Zero Visibility) campaign, sending an open letter to the Culture Ministry and EKKOMED demanding swift resolution of the financial delays. The letter urged authorities to act no later than September 15, citing a complete erosion of trust among Greek filmmakers and producers.
Now, the message is echoing globally.
Global Stars Step In
The 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 14, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Sarah Meyssonnier
In a powerful follow-up letter released this week, 176 internationally acclaimed filmmakers, artists, and creators joined the call, expressing their “solidarity with the demands of Greek filmmakers” and condemning what they describe as neglect of the arts.
Among the signatories: Binoche, President of the European Film Academy, Dafoe, Kaufman, Daniel Scheinert, Ruben Östlund, and Emir Kusturica – all urging immediate support for Greece’s selective film funding programs and the full repayment of outstanding rebates.
“At a time when the arts, their creative freedom and their funding seem to be treading on quicksand, we stand in solidarity with the demands of Greek filmmakers,” the letter reads.
“Greece ranks among the lowest in Europe for national film support. It is urgent that the country repays the millions owed to both Greek and international producers under the cash rebate scheme.”
The letter also criticizes both active neglect and passive inaction, calling them unacceptable forms of attack on the creative sector.
“We will remain steadfast in supporting our Greek colleagues and hope they will soon be able to create within a framework that honors their talent and work.”
The number of Greek professionals signing the original petition has now risen to 2,385, reflecting broad consensus within the local industry.
The Oratotis Miden initiative acknowledges that “partial payments” have been made, noting that it is a small step in the right direction. However, the group insists that full compliance with their demands by September 15 remains non-negotiable.
Back in June, commenting to Variety, Creative Greece CEO Leonidas Christopoulos admitted that there had been bureaucratic challenges, adding that payments made were “less than we expected”.
