Oscars 2024: Twenty Directors Withdraw Their Films from Greece’s Representation Process at the Awards

The directors and producers of 20 films—out of a total of 23 that were set to participate in the selection process for Greece’s representation at the Oscars—have withdrawn after tensions arose between the Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Film Academy, and film industry unions over the formation of the selection committee.

In a letter sent today to the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, and the new Deputy Minister of Culture responsible for contemporary culture, Iason Fotilas, the 33 signatories, including directors Periklis Choursoglou, Alexandros Voulgaris, Sofia Exarchou, Athina Tsangari, Renos Haralambidis, and Elina Psykou, expressed their concerns about “interventions that raise serious doubts about the credibility and validity of the process.” As a result, they feel compelled to withdraw their films. Notably, one of the committee members, director Asimina Proedrou, resigned from her role yesterday.

In a response issued yesterday afternoon, Deputy Minister Iason Fotilas addressed the announcements by the Hellenic Film Academy and film unions, stating that “before August 13th, no committee had been formally appointed, as required by law—a fact confirmed by the government transparency portal, Diavgeia.” He added that “disciplinary actions have already been initiated by the Ministry of Culture regarding the mistaken decision,” implying that a staff member acted independently without proper authorization from the Deputy Minister.

Here is the full statement from Iason Fotilas:

“The Ministry of Culture has always approached the prestigious OSCAR International Feature Film Award process with transparency and seriousness.

Regarding your letter and the concerns that have been raised in recent days about the selection committee for the Greek nomination, we inform you:

The Ministry of Culture is responsible for the selection and formation of the committee, as is the case in most countries that participate in such competitive processes, with high-level representation. The Ministry safeguards the process to ensure not only the objectivity but also the integrity of the committee.

Before August 13th, no committee had been appointed, as required by law. This is confirmed by the Diavgeia portal, as can be easily verified.

Furthermore, the committee for evaluating nominations for the OSCAR International Feature Film Award was composed of highly reputable individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to the field. This ensures the integrity of the process and the selection of the most suitable film to represent our country.

It should also be noted that regarding the issue of the ‘mistaken’ decision, disciplinary actions have already been initiated by the Ministry’s disciplinary bodies.”

The full letter regarding the withdrawal of the 20 films:

“Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Dear Minister,

Dear Deputy Minister,

The undersigned directors and producers of films who submitted their works for the selection process to represent Greece in the OSCAR International Feature Film category, a process defined by the Ministry of Culture according to the relevant regulations, regretfully observe a series of interventions during the formation of the committee tasked with selecting the Greek nominee. These interventions raise serious concerns about the credibility and transparency of the process.

As a result, we refuse to participate in opaque actions that undermine Greek cinema and its professionals, and we are forced to withdraw our films from this process.

Specifically, on August 11, 2024, the Ministry of Culture sent our film links (Vimeo links, etc.) via email to at least four cinema professionals who had previously been contacted by the Ministry about serving as the committee’s president and members. These professionals had accepted the positions. However, two days later, on August 13, 2024, these individuals received a written message from the Ministry informing them that they would no longer be members of the committee, without any explanation. On the same day, just hours later, the Ministry’s decision to form the committee was posted on the Diavgeia portal, without including any of these four professionals.

These irresponsible and hasty actions by the Ministry raise questions and reasonable suspicions about the intentions behind them. They resemble the practices of the abolished State Quality Awards from before 2009, practices that we fought to eliminate, and which are unfit for a modern European state. Such actions expose our country to international embarrassment.

Moreover, by sending the links to our films to individuals who were ultimately excluded from the committee, the Ministry failed to protect our intellectual property, which we entrusted to them, treating it in a careless, unlawful, and disrespectful manner.

The questions are clear: What changed between the initial offer made to these professionals to serve on the committee and their eventual exclusion? What led to such irregular and unprecedented actions?

Are there established procedures for forming the committee, and if so, were they followed?

Finally, we emphasize that scapegoating an experienced staff member—who seems to be the Ministry’s response to this issue—does not satisfy us, nor does it restore the credibility of the process.

We all deserve better than this, as does the Ministry of Culture.”