Summary
- Broken Vein is Greece’s official submission for the 2027 International Feature Film Oscar.
- The 13-member committee recommended the film by a majority vote.
- Vasilis Bisbikis stars, with a screenplay by Yannis Economides and Vangelis Mourikis.
- Nominations will be announced on January 21, with the ceremony on March 14, 2027.
Yannis Economides’ Broken Vein has been selected as Greece’s official submission for the 2027 International Feature Film Oscar.
Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced the decision on September 7, 2026, following a majority recommendation by the designated 13-member committee. The Deputy Minister of Culture accepted its opinion in a decision dated September 4, and the ministry is taking the necessary steps to submit the film to the Academy.
The director’s sixth feature, starring Vasilis Bisbikis, now has Greece’s official backing in the race for the award. The national selection starts that journey; the Academy’s final nominations will be announced in January.
Why Greece selected the film
The committee was appointed specifically for this year’s selection, with members nominated by organisations from the film sector. Its reasoning highlighted the film’s narrative coherence and its artistic and technical accomplishment.
It placed particular emphasis on the connection between ancient tragedy and a contemporary Greek impasse. In the committee’s view, the protagonist’s story combines a local identity with themes that international audiences can recognise. Economides’ international standing also formed part of its assessment.
A businessman with his home at stake
At the centre is Thomas Alexopoulos, a middle-aged businessman trapped by the consequences of his decisions. His confrontation with a loan shark threatens his family home. As time runs out, a last-minute plan appears to offer an escape.
Economides co-wrote the screenplay with Vangelis Mourikis. In his director’s statement, he describes a contemporary urban drama rooted in ancient Greek tragedy, revisiting hubris, shame, fate and individual responsibility.
The cast and the filmmakers behind the image
Alongside Bisbikis, the cast includes Maria Kehayioglou, Betty Arvaniti, Stathis Stamoulakatos, Sofia Kounia, Yiannis Niarros, Giannis Anastasakis, Ioanna Kolliopoulou, Klelia Renesi, Anastasia Hadziathanasiou, Dimitris Kapetanakos and Maria Kallimani.
Dimitris Katsaitis served as cinematographer, with editing by Yannis Chalkiadakis. Babis Papadopoulos composed the original score, while the end-credits song is by LEX and Kepler is Free. Aris Anastasopoulos handled sound, with sound design and mixing by Costas Fylaktidis.
The production brings together Athens Productions, Argonauts, Faliro House and Yannis Economides Films, with ERT, Onassis Culture, Frontstage Entertainment and Custom Productions as co-producers. Tanweer released the film in Greek cinemas on November 27, 2025. It runs for 127 minutes and is listed by the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival as a Greece–Cyprus production.
From the Iris Awards to the Oscar race
Broken Vein had already earned recognition at the 2026 Iris Awards, where Betty Arvaniti shared the Supporting Actress award with Gioula Boudali for Patty Is Such a Girly Name. At the ceremony covered by PTTL, Patty won seven awards, including Best Feature Fiction Film.
Abroad, the film screened at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival on May 30, 2026, at Regal NOHO.
The next dates for the 2027 Oscars
According to the Academy’s official schedule, shortlists will be announced on December 15, 2026. Nominations are set for January 21, 2027, with the 99th ceremony taking place on Sunday, March 14, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
What we think
The selection also matters as an opportunity to introduce Economides’ work to audiences unfamiliar with it. For Greek cinema, a meaningful next step is to bring the film and its creative team to a wider public, beyond the conversation about the award itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broken Vein already an Oscar nominee?
No. The film is Greece’s official submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars. Its selection by Greece does not make it an Academy Award nominee.
Who selected the film for Greece?
The designated 13-member committee, whose members were put forward by film industry organisations, recommended the film by a majority vote. The Deputy Minister of Culture accepted its opinion on September 4, 2026, and the ministry announced the decision on September 7.
When will nominations be announced, and when is the ceremony?
Shortlists will be announced on December 15, 2026, followed by the final nominations on January 21, 2027. The 99th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
What is Broken Vein about?
Thomas Alexopoulos, played by Vasilis Bisbikis, is a businessman at risk of losing his family home because of a conflict with a loan shark. He seeks a way out through a last-minute plan. Yannis Economides directs and co-writes the screenplay with Vangelis Mourikis.
