Deputy Minister of Culture Jason Fotilas gives his response through parapolitika.gr regarding the tense scene that occurred at the Drama Festival during his speech on Monday evening. Jason Fotilas was booed by attendees when he spoke about the management system for resource allocation and distribution of the Greek Cinema, Audiovisual Media and Creation Center (EKKOMED), as well as the general funding sources for Greek cinema.
Read: Jason Fotilas: Chaos at Drama Festival with his statement – “Is it your money?” (Video)
“It’s obvious that everyone is entitled to have their subjective opinion and their desire for how the state should support the industry and community. However, what cannot be disputed are the facts and numbers,” the deputy minister clarified today, Tuesday, after the incident. “The support that this Government and the Ministry of Culture provide to cinema and audiovisuals is the largest, most substantial, and is delivered in the most transparent and effective way,” he added.
“Systematically and effectively, we are removing the obstacles and dead ends of decades and addressing all issues arising from the transition. Today, cinema and audiovisuals are treated as a dynamic hub of creativity and development, without compartmentalization and rigidity. And we will continue on the same path, with respect for the thousands of real creators,” Mr. Fotilas added, focusing on the current government’s achievements.
Jason Fotilas: The timeline of tension at Drama Festival with his statement
It is recalled that significant tension occurred at the Drama Festival during Deputy Culture Minister Jason Fotilas’s speech on Monday evening. Specifically, Jason Fotilas was booed by attendees during his speech at the Drama Festival when he referred to the management system for resource allocation and distribution of the Greek Cinema, Audiovisual Media and Creation Center (EKKOMED), as well as the general funding sources for Greek cinema. “Never before has more money been given for audiovisuals,” he noted, adding that during the period 2019-2025, 1,015 projects were funded with 228.88 million euros, while private parties contributed 555 million euros.
“We demand answers,” was the common slogan of several award winners, while some of them used harsh language, speaking of a moment when the film community finds itself facing critical developments.
It is noted that Jason Fotilas repeatedly asked for the floor to respond to every criticism made. When he was finally given the floor, he stated that “you can’t come to a festival that you give 300,000 euros a year to and listen to booing.” “It’s not the best thing either,” he added, provoking even more outrage from the audience.
“Is it your money? Did you put it from your own pocket?,” they shouted at him.
Ο υφυπουργός Πολιτισμού Ι. Φωτίλας κ υφιστάμενος της Μενδώνη άκουσε τα… εξ αμάξης στην τελετή λήξης των βραβείων του Διεθνούς Φεστιβάλ Ταινιών Μικρού Μήκους Δράμας.
👉Οι κινηματογραφιστές τον «στόλισαν»δεόντως κ τον αποκάλεσαν «ξεφτίλα!»
Αυτός.. πόζαρε τα λεφτα που τους “έδωσε!” pic.twitter.com/sa4CzWBsjU— Καθίκι (@KYTKYTKYTKYTKYT) September 15, 2025
