Through the Athens Film Office of the City of Athens, the Greek capital hosted the semi-final judging round of the world’s most prestigious international television awards.
Athens once again reaffirmed its growing role within the global audiovisual industry by hosting the semi-final judging round of the International Emmy Awards in the Best Drama category, one of the most competitive and prestigious categories of the renowned international television awards programme.
The event was organised by the Athens Film Office of the City of Athens, which operates through Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA), as part of the city’s broader strategy to strengthen its international profile and attract high-level audiovisual productions.
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, stated:
Hosting the International Emmy Awards in Athens is yet another international recognition of the momentum our city has gained in the fields of film and television. Through the Athens Film Office, we welcome high-profile film and television productions, support creators and industry professionals, and build new international partnerships. It is no coincidence that the European Film Academy selected Athens to host the European Film Awards in January 2027. Athens is not merely a backdrop for great stories. It is a place where great stories are born. We continue to strengthen the city’s international presence while opening new opportunities for its cultural and economic development.
Vangelis Marinakis, Chairman of Athens Development and Destination Management Agency, commented:
Hosting an institution such as the International Emmy Awards brings Athens into direct contact with the most important developments in global television production. It is particularly significant for the city to participate actively in international initiatives that foster cultural exchange, international networking and collaboration with leading industry professionals.
Elissaios Sarmas, CEO of Athens Development and Destination Management Agency, added:
Every international production and major event hosted in Athens creates added value for the city, its businesses and its people. Through the Athens Film Office, we facilitate productions that choose Athens every day, helping promote the city while creating new opportunities for the local economy and the creative industries.
Distinguished Jury Members
The judging session took place on Thursday, June 4, at Electra Rhythm Athens Hotel in Syntagma Square.
The jury panel consisted of distinguished Greek professionals from the film and television industries, including Prometheus Aleiferopoulos, Daphne Alexander, Kelly Alchanati, Katerina Bei, Nikos Apeiranthitis, Athina Gioyiaka, Dimitris Kitsos, Ioanna Koliopoulou, Argyris Pantazaras, Katerina Papoutsaki, Ioanna Pappa, Giorgos Feidas and Katerina Filiotou.
Six Major International Productions Since January
Since January 2026, the Athens Film Office has supported and facilitated six major international productions, alongside dozens of Greek film, television and digital productions.
These projects showcase Athens’ unique identity, combining history, contemporary urban landscapes and rich cultural heritage, while simultaneously supporting local employment and contributing to the city’s economy.
At the same time, Athens continues to invest strategically in the growth of its creative economy and in creating a production-friendly environment for projects from around the world. The Athens Film Office is already in discussions with new international productions considering Athens as a filming destination, further confirming the city’s rising profile on the global audiovisual map.
The initiative is implemented within the framework of the project “Actions for the Promotion, Enhancement and Development of Tourism in the Municipality of Athens” (Subproject 1), which is included in the Attica 2021–2027 Programme (OPS 6018475) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
