Iris 2026: the winners
In a ceremony marked by unity and energy, on June 17th the Hellenic Film Academy honored the films and individuals who shaped the Greek cinematic landscape over the past year. The 17th Iris Awards were hosted at the Onassis Stegi, with acclaimed presenters Zeta Makrypoulia and Thanasis Alevras, under the direction of Zacharias Mavroeidis. Just a few months before Athens hosts the prestigious European Film Awards in January 2027, the Greek film community made a strong and visible statement of its presence.
In his opening speech, Hellenic Film Academy President Lefteris Charitos mentionned: “Among this year’s nominees we have many debut works by new filmmakers and more women than in previous years across all award categories. Our films continued their successful run at the most important international festivals, confirming the growing international recognition of Greek cinema. At home, Greek audiences showed that they still seek the magic of the big screen, with ticket sales continuing their upward trend in the post-COVID era—and with the remarkable commercial success of several Greek films, something we had not seen in many years. Beyond the outdated divide between artistic and commercial cinema, Greek filmmaking is beginning to display an unprecedented diversity, with new distribution opportunities emerging. Our community faced the difficulties of recent years with courage, demonstrated resilience and determination, and demanded that the state treat it with a seriousness commensurate with its cultural and economic role.”
The evening’s biggest winner was the film Patty Is Such a Girly Name (Poly Koritsistiko Onoma to Patty), directed by George Georgopoulos, which won seven awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pantelis Voulgaris. Lefteris Charitos spoke with deep affection and respect for the filmmaker, “whose work spans the modern history of our country, and whose perspective on the political, social, and profoundly existential identity of the Greek people has produced a body of work rich in characters who experience historical truth in an honest and cinematically accomplished way.”
The award was accepted on Voulgaris’s behalf by his friend and collaborator Christos Paligiannopoulos, as the director was unable to attend. “Pantelis asked me to convey his gratitude to the Hellenic Film Academy and to his fellow filmmakers. I would like to share a phrase he told me: ‘Everything I created, I created for the relationships between people and for the sound of their conversations.’ And I would add that he did so with boundless love for cinema,” he said.
The awards in the 22 categories were presented (in order of presentation) by: Daphne Chairetaki & Nikos Kolioukos, Orestis Andreadakis & Achilleas Kyriakidis, Aris Kontos & Konstantina Kalouta, Olympia Kragasaki & George Georgiou, Giannis Petridis & Pavlos Pavlidis, Klelia Renesi & Antonis Myriagkos, Melia Kreiling & Aeneas Tsamatis, Despina Maroulakou & Olympia Mytilinaiou, Kallia Papadaki, Matthijs Wouter Knol, Aphrodite Panagiotakou, George Tsemberopoulos, Anna Hints, and Vicky Krieps.
Iris Awards 2026 – Winners
Best Feature Film
Patty Is Such a Girly Name
Producers: Stefanos Koutsardakis, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Fenia Kosovitsa
Best Documentary
Lo
Producers: Thanasis Vasileiou, Konstantinos Vasilaros
Best Greek Minority Co-Production
Maricel
Producers: Maria Drandaki, Ilias Dimitriou
Best Short Film
Dust Thou Art and Unto Dust Shalt Thou Return (Chous Ei Kai Eis Choun Apelefsi)
Producer: Dimitris Papathanasis
Best Short Documentary
Fear the Stars of the South
Producer: Christos Karteris
Best Animated Short Film
Black Cities
Producers: Christos Magganas, George Kyriakos, Efi Skrompola, Vasilis Tzanidis
Best Student Short Film
She Was Very Good at Leaving
Director: Vasilis Pantelidis
Best Director
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – George Georgopoulos
Best First-Time Director
Bear Cave (Arkoudotrypa)
Directors: Chrysianna Papadaki, Stergios Dinopoulos
Best Screenplay
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – George Georgopoulos
Best Actor
Beachcomber – Christos Passalis
Best Actress
Bear Cave – Chara Kyriazi
Best Supporting Actor (Tie)
Receptions – Christos Valavanidis
Small Breaths – Antonis Tsiotsiopoulos
Best Supporting Actress (Tie)
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – Gioula Boudali
Broken Vein – Betty Arvaniti
Best Cinematography
Beachcomber – George Karvelas
Best Editing
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – George Georgopoulos
Best Original Score
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – Marilena Orfanou, Stavros Mitropoulos
Best Production Design
The Christmas Carols – Liza Tsouloupa
Best Costume Design
The Christmas Carols – Triada Papadaki
Best Sound
Patty Is Such a Girly Name – Nikos Exarchos, Aris Louziotis, Kostas Varymbopiotis
Best Makeup, Hair & Special Makeup Effects
The Christmas Carols – Katerina Varthalitou, Chronis Tzimos
Best Special & Visual Effects
Hen (Kota) – Glen McGuigan
Ceremony Credits
- Director: Zacharias Mavroeidis
- Lighting Design: Katerina Marangoudaki
- Music: Martha Mavroeidi
- Graphic Design: Talc
- Nominee Announcements: Larisa Vergou
