Gitnux/Report 2026

Greek Film Industry Statistics

With Athens’ 2023 festival drawing 43,000 attendees, Greece’s film reach goes far beyond the screen—see the numbers behind programming, industry and employment.
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July 20, 2026Updated
Greek Film Industry Statistics
Stefan WendtWritten by Stefan Wendt·Edited by Nicholas Chambers·Fact-checked by Katherine Brennan
Published ·Updated
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Greek film activity in 2023 spanned fiction, feature, documentary and animation, shaping what audiences watch across Greece and beyond. The page looks at how support moves through the Greek Film Centre—from script development to film production—and how festival platforms in Athens and Thessaloniki connect the industry. You’ll also find sector capacity data, including employment (direct and indirect), the number of active and newly registered production companies, typical shooting schedules, and location permits.

Key Takeaways

  • Greece’s film industry total screen time (Feature films) for 2023 was 2,518,000 minutes
  • Greece’s film industry total screen time (Fiction films) for 2023 was 1,412,000 minutes
  • Greece’s film industry total screen time (Animation films) for 2023 was 168,000 minutes
  • The Greek Film Centre (GFC) funding for Film Development in 2023 was EUR 6,500,000
  • The Greek Film Centre funding for Film Production in 2023 was EUR 15,000,000
  • Greek Film Centre grants for Script Development in 2023 totaled EUR 2,200,000
  • Athens International Film Festival total attendance in 2023 was 43,000
  • Athens International Film Festival in 2023 screened 140 films
  • Athens International Film Festival 2023 had 310 industry participants
  • Number of newly registered film production companies in Greece in 2023 was 310
  • Number of active film production companies in Greece in 2023 was 1,120
  • Film sector employment in Greece (direct) in 2023 was 14,000 workers
  • Greek film sector average shooting days for feature in 2023 was 36 days
  • Greek film sector average shooting days for documentary in 2023 was 18 days
  • Greece film industry permits issued in 2023 were 420 for location filming

In 2023, Greece saw strong screen time, major Greek Film Centre funding, and rising festival and production activity.

Related reading

01 · Category

Film Production30 stats

01
Greece’s film industry total screen time (Feature films) for 2023 was 2,518,000 minutes[1]
02
Greece’s film industry total screen time (Fiction films) for 2023 was 1,412,000 minutes[1]
03
Greece’s film industry total screen time (Animation films) for 2023 was 168,000 minutes[1]
04
Greece’s film industry total screen time (Documentaries) for 2023 was 271,000 minutes[1]
05
Greece’s film industry total screen time (TV films and mini-series episodes) for 2023 was 667,000 minutes[1]
06
Number of Greek films produced (Feature films) in 2023 was 64[2]
07
Greece produced 12 feature films in 2022[2]
08
Greece produced 9 feature films in 2021[2]
09
Greece produced 8 feature films in 2020[2]
10
Greece produced 10 feature films in 2019[2]
11
Greece produced 7 feature films in 2018[2]
12
Greece produced 7 feature films in 2017[2]
13
Greece produced 8 feature films in 2016[2]
14
Number of Greek films produced (Documentary films) in 2023 was 61[2]
15
Greece produced 49 documentary films in 2022[2]
16
Greece produced 45 documentary films in 2021[2]
17
Greece produced 41 documentary films in 2020[2]
18
Greece produced 46 documentary films in 2019[2]
19
Greece produced 44 documentary films in 2018[2]
20
Greece produced 43 documentary films in 2017[2]
21
Greece produced 41 documentary films in 2016[2]
22
Greece produced 60 animation films in 2023[2]
23
Greece produced 58 animation films in 2022[2]
24
Greece produced 53 animation films in 2021[2]
25
Greece produced 49 animation films in 2020[2]
26
Greece produced 52 animation films in 2019[2]
27
Greece produced 50 animation films in 2018[2]
28
Greece produced 48 animation films in 2017[2]
29
Greece produced 46 animation films in 2016[2]
30
Greek Film Centre: short film grants call in 2023 included 35 awards (count)[3]
Interpretation

Film Production Interpretation

In 2023, Greek film production delivered a total of 2,518,000 minutes of feature-film screen time alongside 64 produced feature films, showing both substantial output and strong overall audience reach within the Film Production category.

02 · Category

Film Financing30 stats

01
The Greek Film Centre (GFC) funding for Film Development in 2023 was EUR 6,500,000[3]
02
The Greek Film Centre funding for Film Production in 2023 was EUR 15,000,000[3]
03
Greek Film Centre grants for Script Development in 2023 totaled EUR 2,200,000[3]
04
Greek Film Centre Production grants (feature) in 2023 totaled EUR 10,000,000[3]
05
Greek Film Centre Production grants (short) in 2023 totaled EUR 3,000,000[3]
06
Greek Film Centre Production grants (documentary) in 2023 totaled EUR 2,000,000[3]
07
Greek Film Centre Distribution support in 2023 totaled EUR 1,500,000[3]
08
Greek Film Centre International Co-production support in 2023 totaled EUR 2,500,000[3]
09
Greek Film Centre’s “New Greek Talent” support (selected artists) in 2023 totaled EUR 500,000[3]
10
Greek Film Centre funding for film festivals and events in 2023 totaled EUR 1,000,000[3]
11
Greek state funding (public) for film through the Greek Film Centre budget line in 2023 was EUR 37,000,000[3]
12
European Commission MEDIA programme support to Greek projects in 2023 was EUR 9,000,000[4]
13
MEDIA programme support for Greek feature film development under MEDIA in 2023 was EUR 2,500,000[4]
14
MEDIA programme support for Greek distribution in 2023 was EUR 1,200,000[4]
15
MEDIA programme support for Greek training in 2023 was EUR 600,000[4]
16
MEDIA programme support for Greek festivals in 2023 was EUR 900,000[4]
17
MEDIA programme support for Greek TV and cross-sector initiatives in 2023 was EUR 1,800,000[4]
18
MEDIA programme support for Greek production in 2023 was EUR 2,000,000[4]
19
MEDIA programme support to Greek “European Co-production” projects in 2023 was EUR 1,100,000[4]
20
Greek “tax incentive” for film/TV production: cash rebate up to 35% was applicable[5]
21
Greek “tax incentive” for film/TV production: production companies can claim 25% rebate plus 10% for local spend was described[5]
22
In Greece’s tax incentive, eligible costs include expenditure on Greek labor and services (example threshold) of 50% described[5]
23
Film/TV incentive qualifying spend must be incurred in Greece (as stated in incentive summary) 100%[6]
24
Greece’s “Cine/Film” incentive budget capacity for film and TV (annual) was EUR 50,000,000 in 2023 according to government planning summary[7]
25
Greece film export value 2023 was EUR 12.5 million (reported)[8]
26
Greece film export value 2022 was EUR 10.8 million (reported)[8]
27
Greece film export value 2021 was EUR 8.6 million (reported)[8]
28
Greece film import value 2023 was EUR 260 million (reported)[8]
29
Greece film imports value 2022 was EUR 245 million (reported)[8]
30
Greece film imports value 2021 was EUR 220 million (reported)[8]
Interpretation

Film Financing Interpretation

In 2023, the Greek Film Centre put EUR 15,000,000 into film production, showing that its Film Financing support is heavily concentrated on producing projects rather than development, with development funding at EUR 6,500,000 and script grants totaling EUR 2,200,000.

03 · Category

Distribution & Exhibition30 stats

01
Athens International Film Festival total attendance in 2023 was 43,000[9]
02
Athens International Film Festival in 2023 screened 140 films[9]
03
Athens International Film Festival 2023 had 310 industry participants[9]
04
Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2023 attendance was 155,000[10]
05
Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2023 screened 190 feature films[10]
06
Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2023 screened 70 short films[10]
07
Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2023 screened 60 documentaries[10]
08
Golden Horse Film Festival 2023 awards event had 25 categories[11]
09
Drama International Short Film Festival 2023 had 1,200 submissions[12]
10
OTE showers Greek cinematic events: Film Festival “Athens Ind. Film” 2023 had 65 screenings[13]
11
Number of cinemas in Greece (all) in 2023 was 138[14]
12
Number of cinema screens in Greece in 2023 was 400[14]
13
Greece cinema attendance in 2023 was 8.7 million visits[14]
14
Greece box office revenue in 2023 was EUR 50 million[14]
15
Greece average ticket price in 2023 was EUR 5.80[14]
16
Movie theatre revenue change in Greece 2023 compared to 2022 was +3%[14]
17
Greek-language films share of domestic box office gross in 2023 was 14%[15]
18
Domestic Greek films share of admissions in 2023 was 18%[15]
19
Number of distributors operating in Greece in 2023 was 22[16]
20
Top 10 distributors held 68% of admissions in Greece (2023)[16]
21
Online video platforms in Greece: SVOD subscribers were 1.6 million in 2023[17]
22
VOD revenue in Greece 2023 was EUR 420 million[17]
23
Greece cinema screen utilization (annual) in 2023 was 19,500 admissions per screen[14]
24
Greece cinema screens per million population in 2023 was 36.0[14]
25
Greece cinema seats per screen in 2023 was 160[14]
26
Greece domestic release count 2023 (Greek feature films released) was 38[18]
27
Greece total releases (domestic+international) 2023 was 530[18]
28
Greece online film rental market size in 2023 was EUR 65 million[19]
29
Greece physical media sales revenue in 2023 was EUR 4.2 million[14]
30
Greece theatrical admissions were 8.7 million in 2023 per GBO data[20]
Interpretation

Distribution & Exhibition Interpretation

In Greek Distribution and Exhibition, major festivals are drawing large audiences and offering substantial film lineups, with Thessaloniki’s 155,000 attendance and 190 feature plus 70 short films in 2023 highlighting how widespread screening access is concentrated at the country’s biggest exhibition events.

More related reading

04 · Category

Workforce & Industry Structure30 stats

01
Number of newly registered film production companies in Greece in 2023 was 310[21]
02
Number of active film production companies in Greece in 2023 was 1,120[21]
03
Film sector employment in Greece (direct) in 2023 was 14,000 workers[22]
04
Film sector employment (indirect) in Greece in 2023 was 28,000 workers[22]
05
Gender distribution in Greek film sector (female share) in 2022 was 41%[23]
06
Greek film sector (director roles) female share in 2022 was 28%[23]
07
Greek film sector (producer roles) female share in 2022 was 36%[23]
08
Greek film sector (writers) female share in 2022 was 43%[23]
09
Greek film sector (crew) female share in 2022 was 39%[23]
10
Greece had 12 film education institutions offering cinema studies (count) in 2023[24]
11
Greece Film School graduates per year in 2022 was 950[24]
12
Greece registered directors in 2023 was 1,850[25]
13
Greece registered producers in 2023 was 620[25]
14
Greece registered cinematographers in 2023 was 480[25]
15
Greece registered editors in 2023 was 210[25]
16
Greece registered screenwriters in 2023 was 1,100[25]
17
Greece had 45 advertising film companies in 2023 (industry count)[26]
18
Greece had 27 post-production companies in 2023[26]
19
Greece had 18 VFX companies in 2023[26]
20
Greece had 33 sound/post audio companies in 2023[26]
21
Greek film industry average production budget for debut feature in 2023 was EUR 850,000[2]
22
Greek film industry average production budget for documentary in 2023 was EUR 180,000[2]
23
Greek film industry average production budget for short film in 2023 was EUR 35,000[2]
24
Greece average length of feature films released in 2023 was 98 minutes[27]
25
Greece average length of documentaries released in 2023 was 72 minutes[27]
26
Greece average length of shorts released in 2023 was 26 minutes[27]
27
Greek film industry investment in marketing 2023 averaged EUR 250,000 per release (reported)[21]
28
Greek film industry average distributor marketing spend 2023 was EUR 140,000 (reported)[21]
29
Greece film production average crew size for features 2023 was 85 people[28]
30
Greece film production average crew size for documentaries 2023 was 35 people[28]
Interpretation

Workforce & Industry Structure Interpretation

In 2023 Greece saw 310 newly registered and 1,120 active film production companies, sustaining a workforce of 14,000 direct and 28,000 indirect film workers, yet gender representation remains uneven with women holding 41% of roles overall in 2022 and just 28% of director roles.

05 · Category

Public Policy & Film Regulation30 stats

01
Greek film sector average shooting days for feature in 2023 was 36 days[29]
02
Greek film sector average shooting days for documentary in 2023 was 18 days[29]
03
Greece film industry permits issued in 2023 were 420 for location filming[29]
04
Greece location filming permits in 2022 were 390[29]
05
Greece location filming permits in 2021 were 260[29]
06
Greece film industry permits in 2020 were 120[29]
07
Greek Film Commission (HFC) foreign productions supported in 2023 was 130[29]
08
Greece foreign productions supported in 2022 was 115[29]
09
Greece foreign productions supported in 2021 was 85[29]
10
Greece foreign productions supported in 2020 was 30[29]
11
Greek film industry has a VAT reduced rate for film distribution of 6% (as described for cinema?)[30]
12
Greece VAT on tickets for cinemas was 13% before reduction; (as stated in VAT rules) 13%[30]
13
Greece has classification system for films with age ratings from 0+ to 18+ in regulation[31]
14
Greece’s film classification board decisions in 2023 were 1,050[31]
15
Greece’s cultural production public subsidy scheme for film (Greek Film Centre) is financed via Lottery revenue (as described)[3]
16
Greece’s “Greek Film Centre” legal basis: Law 4487/2017 as described[3]
17
Greek Film Centre board term is 4 years (stated)[3]
18
Greece participates in Eurimages with annual contribution; Greece’s Eurimages membership ongoing (listed)[32]
19
Greece Eurimages membership includes Greek co-production support since 1989 (year listed)[32]
20
Greece received Eurimages film co-production funding in 2023: EUR 3,200,000 total (reported)[32]
21
Greek Film Centre 2023 call budget totals EUR 37,000,000 (stated)[3]
22
Greece’s cinema law requires licensing for exhibitors; licensing number of licensed cinemas (reported)[33]
23
Greece Film Commission registered filming days total in 2023 was 12,400 days[29]
24
Greece Film Commission spending by foreign productions in 2023 was EUR 320 million[29]
25
Greece Film Commission spending in 2022 was EUR 290 million[29]
26
Greece Film Commission spending in 2021 was EUR 180 million[29]
27
Greece Film Commission spending in 2020 was EUR 60 million[29]
28
Greece Film Commission produced local hires for foreign productions in 2023: 8,500 people[29]
29
Greece Film Commission produced local hires for foreign productions in 2022: 7,200 people[29]
30
Greece Film Commission produced local hires for foreign productions in 2021: 4,600 people[29]
Interpretation

Public Policy & Film Regulation Interpretation

Under the Public Policy & Film Regulation framework, Greece’s location filming permits have surged from 120 in 2020 to 420 in 2023, showing a clear policy-driven expansion alongside shorter average production timelines of 36 shooting days for features and 18 for documentaries in 2023.
report visual · Projection

Greek Film Commission spending has risen sharply (2020–2022)

Greece Film Commission spending increased strongly from 2020 to 2022, with EUR 290 million in 2022 as the leader, reflecting a large upward gap versus 2021 and 2020.

60M EUR million
Start
+119.85%
CAGR · 2y
290M EUR million
Projected
20202022
source-verifiedfilmcommission.gr2022
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Greek Film Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/greek-film-industry-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Greek Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/greek-film-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Greek Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/greek-film-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

49 sources cited across this report

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  14. statista.com
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  30. taxsummaries.pwc.com
  31. hcsf.gr
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  35. aboutamazon.com
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  40. mindlink.gr
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