Iannis Smaragdis was born in Crete, Greece in 1946. He embarked on a cinematic journey, studying Film in Greece and France. His first appearance on the silver screen was in 1972 with the short film Two Three Things..., which garnered immense acclaim, receiving the first prize at the Athens Film Festival and a Special Mention at the Montreal Film Festival.
Throughout his illustrious career, Iannis Smaragdis has been characterized by his creative genius and numerous successes. His most notable features include Cavafy (1996) and El Greco (2007),both of which were met with widespread critical acclaim and participated in several international film festivals, including the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.
On television, Smaragdis has left an indelible mark with his captivating productions. His 1980 television series Good night to you, Kyr Alexandre touched the hearts of audiences, while his 1988 series Hush... Our Country is Sleeping... is widely regarded as the best TV series in Greece since the inception of television broadcasting.
Smaragdis has also made a significant impact on the small screen with his direction of numerous TV series, including Hadjimanuel (1984) and Les Enfants Gates (2001). His documentary and essay work is equally impressive, with notable projects such as Spyros Louis (2004),I've brought to art (1998),and Thus spake the city (1990-1993).
In 2007, Smaragdis directed Opera of Shadows at the Athens Concert Hall, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. He then went on to complete his new film God Loves Caviar in 2012, which officially participated in the Toronto International Film Festival and became a box office hit in Greece, attracting over 350,000 admissions.
Smaragdis is currently working on his new project, Nikos Kazantzakis, a film based on the autobiography Report to Greco by the renowned Greek author. He has also been appointed as the Manager of Cinema and Theatre and head of scientific studies at the Istituto di Studi Giuridici Economici e Sociali Internazionali I.S.G.E.S.I. in Rome. Additionally, he is a member of the Giuseppe Sciacca International Awards Committee.
As a testament to his enduring popularity, Smaragdis was voted the most popular artist of 2012 on the internet. With his extensive body of work and continued contributions to the world of cinema and theatre, Iannis Smaragdis remains an iconic figure in the industry.
