The island of Corfu has been chosen from among 12 European locations as the best of 2018, in recognition of the key role it played in the TV series The Durrells.

Each member of the EUFCN had the opportunity to submit a film location – a specific place used recently in films or TV series. The general public had a chance to vote for their favourite location online, via the Cineuropa website. One lucky winner was picked from among all the voters and won a trip for two to Corfu island.

“Locations represent the soul of each film commission.” says EUFCN president Truls Kontny. “Last year, we didn’t expect such a huge success for the first edition of the European Film Location Award. After this positive result, we decided to repeat it and have an annual award. This year, we had 12 amazing locations in competition, and all of them have played an important role in films and TV series shot in 2017.  We all strongly believe that this award can increase the visibility of European locations all over the world.”

The prize was picked up by the director of the Hellenic Film Commission, Venia Vergou, and coordinator Stavroula Geronimaki, who both work hard to promote the island’s cinematic appeal to the rest of the world: “The 2018 Best European Film Location Award is very rewarding, as it communicates to the entire world how unique Greek locations are. They have inspired writers, directors and producers for many years. This prize underlines the systematic work of the Hellenic Film Commission in promoting Greek locations. It also showcases the impact that cultural heritage and monuments have on audiovisual works – the Old Town of Corfu island, which contributed to the success of the TV series The Durrells, is one of the many UNESCO-protected monuments in Greece” said Vergou.

Corfu is among the most beautiful and popular Greek islands. Due to its strong historical connection with Europe, it was one of the first Greek islands to open up to tourism. Located on the north-western side of the country, in the Ionian Sea, Corfu island has a cosmopolitan feeling combined with a special, traditional character. Apart from the wonderful beaches, the highlight of the island is the Old Town, with its characteristic Venetian style.

The story of the TV series The Durrells is based on the autobiographical trilogy of books by Gerald Durrell, the naturalist, explorer, writer and conservationist, about his family settling on Corfu island in 1933. The TV series wrapped its fourth season in October this year; it was written by BAFTA Award nominee Simon Nye and directed by Roger Goldby. Sid Gentle Films Ltd produced it in co-production with Masterpiece.

The candidates for the 2018 European Film Location Award were:

· Andalucía Film Commission (Spain): Tabernas Desert in Almería

· Cine Tirol (Austria): Innsbruck Old Town

· Croatian Audiovisual Centre (Croatia): The island of Vis

· Film Commission Hessen (Germany): Frankfurt

· Hellenic Film Commission (Greece): Corfu Island

· IDM Film Fund & Commission (Italy): Lake Carezza

· Malta Film Commission (Malta): Fort St. Elmo – National War Museum

· Roma Lazio Film Commission (Italy): Valle dei Calanchi, Viterbo

· Screen Brussels Film commission (Belgium): Hotel Metropole

· Tenerife Film Commission (Spain): Teide National Park

· Vienna Film Commission (Austria): Michaelerplatz

· Western Norway Film Commission (Norway): Preikestolen