According to a study the Hellenic Film Academy (HFA) assigned to the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE), the lack of tax incentives along with a widespread bureaucracy seem to be the main obstacles to the Greek film industry΄s efforts in becoming more extrovert. Carried out with the support of the Onassis Foundation, the study is the first one of its kind ever made in Greece, especially now when the financial crisis prevents the Greek Film Center from fulfilling its legal obligations towards the local productions.

As HFA΄s President, Vassilis Katsoufis, explained, this initiative΄s goal was to show how audiovisual productions effect the local economy, and propose ways for Greek cinema to become a key factor in the country΄s financial developement. 

Professor and scientific advisor for the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research, Aggelos Tsakanikas, who presented the results, focused on industry’s growth potential: "Producing 20 Greek films per year of a budget more or less €450,000, can boost the country΄s GNP with €14.2 millions annualy, creating in the same time 272 new jobs in several fields, not mentioning the TV programms or commercial spots and the entire audiovisual sector, raising the numbers to €686 millions and 12,000 jobs." He then referred to possible International co-productions filmed in Greece and how the local GDP could be raised up to €39 million by having a €25 million investment in a big-budget European production which creates 755 new jobs.

Afroditi Panagiotakou, Onassis Foundation spokesperson, commented that if in the near future the Foundation is interested in film production, it will find very useful the results of this study and what the sum of €450,000 for Greek productions means in terms of supporting the local economy. Referring to International co-productions, Mr. Tsakanikas pointed out the importance of an organised and functioning Film Commission office which coordinates and facilitates any interested parts, simplifying also the filming permits procedures. 

After the presentation, professionals and industry people commented the International co-productions possibilities results, among them actor and councilman Antonis Kafetzopoulos, who shared his and Athens Municipality΄s confidence about setting an Athens Film Commission office, adding that will soon be announced a single tariff for film permits for all the sites and public spaces under its juristiction. 

Director Nikos Perakis, said that a similar study, focusing this time on Greek films, local production companies and distribution, would be equally or even more interesting and significant to the Greek film industry, hit by piracy and reduced audiences -because of the piracy-, and how important such study would be.

In the end, the spokesperson of Deputy Culture Minister in charge of cinema, Panagiotis Tsiligiannis, stated that the necessary measures are already being implemented and that the Ministry is planning to make announcements within December.