Yorgos Zois’ film “Arcadia” has been chosen to represent Greece in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards, the Culture Ministry has announced.
The selection was made by an 11-member committee convened by the ministry, which unanimously backed the film. In its decision, the committee described Arcadia as a “perfect film” that reflects Greek identity while showcasing the qualities of contemporary Greek cinema and enjoying strong international visibility through participation in major festivals.
Arcadia, Zois’ second feature, premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in 2024 in the “Encounters” competition section. The Greece-Bulgaria co-production has since earned several international distinctions, including Best Actor at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Best Director at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Best Script at the Cork International Film Festival, and the International Federation of Film Critics Best International Film Award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
The film stars Vangelis Mourikis (The King, Digger, Chevalier) and Angeliki Papoulia (Dogtooth, The Lobster).
The film’s story begins with a fatal traffic accident that shatters the quiet of a popular winter tourist destination. Yannis and Katerina, called to the local hospital to identify the victim, attempt to piece together the puzzle of a lost life while confronting a series of revelations. At the seaside bar Arcadia, Katerina finds unexpected solidarity from unlikely companions.