For the first time, the Region of Central Macedonia — through its Directorate of Tourism and the Film Office — organized a decentralized and innovative three-day event focused on sustainable development in the fields of cinema and alternative tourism, held in Kilkis, Pella (Edessa), and Serres (Kerkini) from 7 to 9 September 2025.
Titled “Filming in nature, filming (in) green: Exploring the green locations in Central Macedonia,” the event brought together specialized professionals from Greece and Europe alongside institutional representatives, aiming to strengthen sustainability in the region through cross-sector dialogue and cooperation between cinema, environmental management, and tourism.
The opening took place at the New Conference Center of the Regional Unit of Kilkis, with welcoming remarks by:
- Andreas Vergidis, Vice Governor of Kilkis
- Vicky Chatzivassileiou, Vice Governor for Tourism
- Leonidas Christopoulos, CEO of the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre (EKKOMED)
- Christina Adamou, Chair of the School of Film at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
In her address, Mrs Vicky Chatzivassiliou highlighted the unique natural and cultural value of Central Macedonia’s landscapes, stating that the event was “a wonderful opportunity to discover the beauty of our region, exchange ideas, and become inspired for a more sustainable, responsible, and creative cinema.”
The presentations focused on key sustainability topics in the audiovisual sector:
- Green filming practices
- Filming in protected natural areas
- Environmentally conscious storytelling
- The connection between cinema and alternative tourism
The program concluded with on-site visits to natural landscapes in Kilkis (Doirani Lake, “Thousand Trees”), Pella (Edessa and Pozar Thermal Springs), and Serres (Kerkini Lake), with the participation of Panagiotis Spyropoulos, Deputy Regional Governor of Serres.
The program featured international guest speakers with expertise in sustainability, including:
- Alberto Battocchi (Head of Productions at Trentino Film Commission, Italy), who presented the successful model of Trento, a region with rich natural heritage that effectively combines film production with nature conservation. As a representative of the European Green Film Network, Mr. Battocchi also spoke about the green certification system for audiovisual productions aimed at reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
- Fernanda Polacow (screenwriter, director, and script consultant based in Portugal), who explored the concept of green narratives as a mentor of the Torino Film Lab. She discussed how storytelling can shape both creators’ and audiences’ perspectives and promote environmental awareness across the audiovisual sector.
Institutions Represented
The 3-day initiative provided a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration across cinema and environmental sectors. Participants included representatives from:
- Torino Film Lab (Italy)
- Trentino Film Commission / Green Film Network (Italy)
- Ministry of Culture – Directorate of Performing Arts and Cinema, Department of Cinema and Audiovisual Media
- Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre (EKKOMED)
- Thessaloniki International Film Festival
- Film School – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Greek Society of Cinematographers
- Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) – Central Macedonia Protected Areas Unit
- Natural History Museum Goulandris – Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (EKBY)
- Forest Directorate of Serres – Sidirokastro Forestry Department
A Common Framework for Sustainable Development
The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Regional Units of Kilkis, Pella, and Serres, with the overarching goal of shaping a shared framework for sustainable audiovisual production in Central Macedonia.
This framework is designed to:
- Support local development
- Promote the region’s natural and cultural heritage
- Place Central Macedonia on the map of Europe’s green film destinations
