High taxes, red tape put off foreign filmmakers from shooting in Greece

Reports late in November that American cinematographer and director Steven Bernstein was interested in establishing a film studio on the Cycladic island of Syros caused a stir on social media. However, few people seemed aware of the conditions set by the Cannes Golden Lion winner.

Speaking to Kathimerini, Giorgos Leontaritis, deputy regional governor of the Cyclades, says that for the investment to go ahead, Bernstein has asked that Greek legislation on this issue be harmonized with EU standards.

Production firms are usually after two types of incentives before they decide to start shooting in a particular country: tax rebates or cash rebates after the wrap, which account for about 30 percent of production costs. There is strong competition between countries wanting to attract productions over this percentage.

"Bernstein was in Ermoupoli this summer and he was...