The Film Office of the Region of Central Macedonia took part in the Venice Production Bridge for the fourth consecutive year, presenting the region’s film industry through two initiatives focused on sustainability and filming destinations.
The Film Office participated in the European Green SCAP project on sustainable audiovisual production and the Venice Locations Market, where it joined the Greek delegation coordinated by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – Creative Greece (EKOMEΔ) and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
This year’s event held particular significance for Greece, which served as the honoured country at the Venice Film Festival, highlighting the international reach and growing profile of Greek film production.
Vicky Hatzivasiliou, Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism, said Central Macedonia’s fourth consecutive appearance at the Venice Film Festival demonstrated the region’s continued investment in international outreach, sustainability and innovation in the audiovisual sector.
She said the region aims to promote Central Macedonia as a modern and competitive filming destination.
Green SCAP Thessaloniki presented as regional best practice
The closing event of Green SCAP (Green Skills for Cinema and Audiovisual Productions) brought together project partners, trainers, sustainability experts, audiovisual professionals and programme participants to present the results of the European training initiative focused on sustainable filmmaking.
The event was coordinated by Luigi Bacialli, President of the Veneto Film Commission. Speakers included Veneto Film Commission Director and Italian Film Commissions network President Jacopo Chessa, Green Film network coordinator and Green SCAP curator Linnea Merzagora, producer and lead programme trainer Serena Alfieri, Power House Hub Mallorca programme coordinator Pedro Barbadillo, and Green SCAP sustainability manager and trainer Claudio Savelli.
Representing the Region of Central Macedonia, Kallitsa Pantazi, acting head of the Department of European Programmes and Partnerships, highlighted the importance of cooperation within European projects and the challenges and opportunities they create for regional development.
The Central Macedonia Film Office, represented by acting head Lina Mylonaki, presented Green SCAP Thessalonikias a regional best practice. The Film Office co-organised the training workshop in spring 2026 with the Hellenic Film Commission of EKOMEΔ.
The presentation highlighted how Thessaloniki served as a “living laboratory” for sustainable film production, connecting professional training with the academic community, industry organisations, the AGORA of the 28th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, European sustainability initiatives and Central Macedonia’s institutional bodies.
Venice Locations Market connects filmmakers with destinations
The Central Macedonia Film Office also took part in the newly established Venice Locations Market, where it joined the Greek delegation coordinated by EKOMEΔ.
The new market initiative brings together film studios, major filming destinations, technical infrastructure providers and organisations supporting audiovisual productions from around the world. It creates a specialised professional meeting space for producers, location managers and international industry executives.
The initiative aims to promote filming destinations and connect them with producers seeking suitable locations, production support services and financing tools.
During the market, the Central Macedonia Film Office held a series of professional meetings with Greek and international audiovisual industry representatives. It promoted Central Macedonia as a competitive and production-friendly destination for film and television shoots while strengthening cooperation with international organisations, film commissions and representatives of the global audiovisual industry.
In Central Macedonia, the Green SCAP Erasmus+ project involved the Film Office, the Central Macedonia Tourism Directorate and the Department of European Programmes and Partnerships within the region’s Directorate for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support.
The Green Film – Trentino Film Commission oversaw the European project, with CNA Veneto, Arpa Veneto and the New Institute Centre for Environmental Humanities (NICHE) also taking part. The European Union co-financed the Green SCAP project.
