World Premiere of “2258” by Metaxa Hospitality Group
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The first official world premiere of the film “2258: A Story of Earth’s Regeneration” took place on Thursday, 25 June 2026 at Cine Creta Maris, in an evening dedicated to the local community of Crete and to the Metaxa Hospitality Group’s vision for a new model of sustainable development. Hundreds of attendees, institutional representatives, producers, and professionals from the tourism and agri‑food sectors watched the first public screening of a work that connects cinematic storytelling with real change on the ground.
The independent production by EYEQ Creative Media, created with the support of the Group, is inspired by the program “Regenerative Agriculture for the Lasithi Plateau and Its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination”, an initiative implemented by Metaxa Hospitality Group since 2023 in collaboration with the Agricultural Cooperative of the Lasithi Plateau and scientific partners. The film is the first documentary in Greece and Europe to explore in depth the global consequences of soil degradation, while highlighting the Lasithi Plateau as a model of cooperation between the primary sector and the hospitality industry.
The event was attended by the Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, the Secretary‑General of the Decentralized Administration, Maria Kozyraki, the Mayors of Hersonissos and the Lasithi Plateau, institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, producers, and partners of the Group, confirming the broad recognition of the initiative.
In his address, the Group’s CEO, Andreas N. Metaxas, emphasized that the film opens an essential discussion about soil health and the future of our food, noting that the true protagonists are the farmers of the Lasithi Plateau who chose the path of regenerative agriculture. “The primary sector and hospitality can together create meaningful value and a positive impact for the environment and the local community,” he stated, adding that the Lasithi Plateau has all the characteristics to become a model of resilient and sustainable development.
Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, highlighted that as the European Region of Gastronomy 2026, Crete has the responsibility to showcase the connection between tourism and healthy land, describing Metaxa Hospitality Group as a “pioneer” in creating new value for the local community.
Keynote speaker of the evening was Anna Pollock, a globally recognized expert in regenerative tourism, who stressed that hospitality can no longer take the stability of natural resources for granted and that the future of the sector depends on soil health and the vitality of rural areas. “Metaxa Hospitality Group recognized this connection early,” she noted, adding that the film can inspire similar initiatives internationally.
The film’s creator, Sissy Papadogianni, highlighted the deeply human dimension of the project, which documents over a full year the farmers’ efforts to adopt new practices, blending scientific research with artistic expression.
The documentary has already been selected for the official program of two international festivals — the EcoFrames Environmental Film Festival and the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival 2026 — marking the beginning of its international journey. From 1 July 2026, it will be available on a major streaming platform, while on 27 July it will be screened at the Bethlehem Open‑Air Cinema in Heraklion as part of the “Heraklion – Summer 2026” Festival.
The premiere confirms the role of Metaxa Hospitality Group as one of Greece’s most forward‑thinking hospitality groups, connecting sustainable development with local production, innovation, and international outreach — shaping a new paradigm for the future of hospitality in Greece and Europe.
