Greece is at the center of international film news these days.
Its global success "Odyssey" by Christopher Nolan represents a unique opportunity for our country. A production that is already making an impressive commercial progress internationally, accompanied by a huge global promotion campaign, which brings Greek history, mythology, culture and the unique landscapes of our homeland before the eyes of millions of people in every corner of the world.
The value of such a promotion can hardly be valued economically.
No conventional advertising or tourism campaign can create the emotional connection that a great film production creates. Cinema tells stories. And stories are what inspire people to travel, to get to know a place, to seek its roots and to live its experience.
Greece has a unique comparative advantage. Its natural environment, light, history, culture, the authenticity of its landscapes, its people and its timeless cultural heritage constitute an invaluable asset that no other country can duplicate.
For me this is not a new discussion.
Already from the time I had the honor of serving as Deputy Minister Culture and Tourism, I had submitted a comprehensive proposal for the creation of an institutional framework aimed at attracting international film producers to Greece. It was an initiative based on the belief that cinema can simultaneously be a tool for cultural extroversion, tourism development, investment, the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of the country's international image.
Today, as an actor, as a person who served culture and tourism from positions of institutional responsibility, but also as member European Academy Cinema, I believe even more that Greece must move to the next stage.
Significant steps have been taken in recent years. The creation of the incentive system, the operation of EKKOMED, the development of Film Offices and the growing trust of international producers have proven that the country can claim a leading role on the global audiovisual map.
But today it is not enough just to be competitive.
We need to become strategic.
International competition is no longer judged solely by the level of economic incentives each country offers. It is judged by how much real added value it can create through each film production.
Because the real question is not just how many films will be shot in Greece.
The real question is what will leave back their when be completed the shooting.
Will they leave new skills?
Will they leave know-how?
Will they leave modern infrastructure?
Will they create more opportunities for Greek actors, creators, technicians and businesses?
Will they enhance the international competitiveness of the Greek creative industry?
These are the elements that we must now evaluate through specific performance indicators and measurable results.
Greece needs smart, transparent and modern incentives.
Incentives that will not only reward the realization of filming, but also the transfer of know-how, the participation of Greek professionals in creative and executive positions, the training of young people, the collaboration with Greek businesses and the creation of long-term international partnerships.
At the same time, the next big challenge is the essential connection of cinema with tourism.
Ο so-called cinematic tourism (Film Tourism )is currently one of the fastest growing forms of thematic tourism internationally.
Modern travelers don't choose a destination just because it's beautiful.
They choose him because they have already connected with him through a story.
Through a movie.
Through an image that moved them.
This is the true meaning of modern storytelling.
And here Greece has an invaluable advantage.
It can connect cinema with culture, tourism, the creative economy and regional development.
It can create cinematic journeys, digital experiences, cultural networks and new forms Creative Tourism, which will highlight not only the well-known destinations, but also the less prominent Greece.
The Greece of authenticity.
The Greece of local communities.
The Greece of gastronomy, music, tradition, modern creation and its people.
International experience proves that every major film production can continue to create economic, cultural and tourist value for many years after filming has concluded.
But this does not happen by itself.
It requires strategic planning.
It requires cooperation.
It requires a shared vision.
It requires a national policy that treats cinema not as a fragmented activity, but as an integral part of the country's development, cultural and tourism strategy.
Greece has already proven that it can host the world's largest film productions.
Now is the time to prove that it can become one of the most important creative hubs in Europe.
To invest in its people.
To create modern infrastructure.
To transfer knowledge to future generations.
To unite cinema with culture, tourism, innovation and the creative economy.
To utilize each major production not as an isolated event, but as a link in a long-term national strategy.
Η "Odyssey" us reminds that The larger stories of world were born At Greece.
The Betting own seasonal is η Greece to non lends only The stories at people, but to takes part essentially at formation of of stories of tomorrow.
To be a place of inspiration.
To be a place of creation.
To be a place of production.
To be a place of innovation.
Why η real success not will measured only with a sticker the number of international producers which is will choose for Greece.
I will measured with a sticker ensures how much stronger, more creative, more extrovert and more competitive will done η same η country inside with a sticker they.
This is ensures large Betting next one decade.
And I am convinced that η Greece has most all The conditions, ensures human potential and ensures vision a to to star and no only as a ο locus where they are turning large Movies, but as a a country which is creates value, culture and future inside with a sticker the cinema.
