Born in Greece in 1977, Elina began her journey in the world of filmmaking by studying the craft in Athens, where she also delved into the realm of sociology. Her first feature-length film, "The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas", made a significant impact on the international film festival circuit, winning the prestigious Works in Progress Award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2012. The film then premiered at the Berlinale Forum in 2013 and went on to participate in over 40 international film festivals.
This remarkable achievement did not go unnoticed, as trade publication Variety highlighted Elina as one of the "10 European Directors to Watch" in 2012. The following year, she received the first-time director award from the Hellenic Film Academy, solidifying her position as a rising talent in the industry.
Elina's second feature, "Son of Sofia", premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 and took home the coveted Best International Narrative Feature Award. This film also received widespread acclaim, winning five awards from the Hellenic Film Academy, including the best feature film, best director, and best screenplay.
Both "The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas" and "Son of Sofia" were selected for the European Film Awards' list in 2013 and 2017, respectively. Elina's first documentary, "Stray Bodies", premiered at the CPH:DOX in 2024 and has been well-received by audiences and critics alike.
Currently, Elina is in the pre-production phase of her fourth feature film, "Patrimonial Fears and other Illusions", and is also developing her first drama-series, "The Coroner's Assistant", which participated in the Berlinale Co-Pro Series in 2024.
