The first feature film directed by a woman in the history of Greek cinema was screened in its restored version as part of the Cannes Classics programme—the first Greek film ever to receive this distinction. The restoration marks a significant milestone in bringing the work of Maria Plyta to international audiences.

A historic moment for Greek cinema took place on Monday, 18 May, at the Cannes Film Festival. Eva (1953), directed by Maria Plyta, the first female film director in the history of Greek cinema, was presented in the official Cannes Classics programme—the festival section dedicated to landmark works of world cinema shown in newly restored versions. It is the first Greek film ever to be screened in its restored form within this prestigious section of the Cannes Film Festival.

The Restoration Journey

The restoration of Eva was carried out by the World Cinema Project of The Film Foundation and the Cineteca di Bologna at the L’Immagine Ritrovata restoration laboratory, in collaboration with Alatas Films and Professor Betty-Despina Kaklamanidou of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the contribution of the Greek Film Archive. The project was made possible through the support of the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.

The restoration initiative was launched by Professor Kaklamanidou as part of a broader research effort on the work of Maria Plyta that began in 2021. This work continues through the research project Plyta’s Unknown Cinema (PUC, 2025–2028), funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.).

The Department’s Contribution

The Department was represented in this international initiative by Assistant Professor Evdokia Stefanopoulou, who attended the historic screening in Cannes as a member of the research team.

We warmly congratulate everyone involved in this remarkable achievement and for bringing an important chapter of Greek cinema history to the international stage.