Ray Films
Our Mission
is to produce high-quality entertainment that resonates with international audiences. We are dedicated to telling universal stories that matter—stories that transcend borders and connect with people on a profound level.
The Founders
Athena Xenidou
Athena Xenidou is the president of the Director’s Guild of Cyprus, a Jury Member for the International Emmy Awards, a member of WIFT Greece and a core member of the Declaration of Filmmakers, a lobby for Authors Rights launched at Cannes, Venice, Athens, Berlin and Brussels at the European Parliament. As VP of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, she launched Equality at the Podium, a policy aiming at bridging the gender gap in classical music.
Athena studied english literature and music in Switzerland and holds a BA in Film from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MA in Politics and Media from the University of Nicosia. Her US film credits include awarded shorts and a feature film documentary Unwitnessed Memories which received the Gold Jury Award at Worldfest Houston.
Among her Greek TV credits are director on Survivor, and numerous episodes of TV drama series and theatrical productions, including The Shadow Box and The Stone, resulting in three nominations and one win at the Cyprus National Theatre Awards. Mentored by Olympia Dukakis and passionate for teaching, she founded The Film and Stage Studio, preparing young adults for entry in international acting conservatories and film schools. Athena is a Lecturer at University of Central Lancashire, teaching TV Production. In 2023 Athena co-founded Ray Talent Agency, the first agency for global talent and creatives in Greece.
Ronan Le Du
Ronan Le Du is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience, a partner in an international law firm. The last few years Ronan has been providing legal advice to talents and creatives and has been drafting agreements for work in the entertainment industry (co-writers agreements, shopping agreements, option rights agreements, co-development agreements, introduction agreements etc.). With his partner, Athena Xenidou, Ronan decided to take this one step further in 2023 and co-founded Ray Talent Agency and a production company in Athens aiming at producing quality entertainment for international distribution.
Meet Our Team
Our Producers
George Linardakis
Producer
George Linardakis is a seasoned producer with over 15 years of experience across feature films, television series, and documentaries. He specializes in developing compelling content with international appeal, collaborating closely with directors, writers, actors, and creative teams worldwide. His recent feature film credits include Voices in Deep (Greece/Australia, dir. Jason Raftopoulos), The Hunted (Greece/Belgium/France, dir. Louis Lagayette), Friends List (dir. Rob Watson), and The Gobbler (director TBC). In television, he has produced series such as Kostas (Palomar/Mediawan, dir. Milena Cocozza), The Oath I and The Oath II (Stefi Productions, dirs. Spiros Michalopoulos and Christos Georgiou), and Sinful Love (dir. Nikos Koutelidakis).
His documentary work includes Odysseus Returns, directed by Seth Ward and produced by Revelations Entertainment. Currently in development is Letters to Leonard, a 5x50’ drama series exploring LGBTQI+ themes. George is committed to crafting powerful, globally resonant stories through strategic co-productions and creative collaboration. https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3306007/credits
Agata Darlasi
Development Producer / Pitching Expert
Graduate in Communication from the University of Rome La Sapienza and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia / Corso Sceneggiatura. She has many years of experience in the development of audiovisual material (since 2007) as a director, screenwriter, documentarist and writer’s coach. She has also been the Head of Educational Programs for the development of audiovisual material in various bodies and organizations since 2012.
Her talks, workshops and masterclasses have been presented in Film Festivals and various events and cities around Europe. She gave a Ted Talk in TEDXKomotini 2017 about The power of Storytelling with the title «Time For Heroes»
In 2014 she created “The Storytelling Gene” an online platform for research and application of different storytelling technics where she offers her services and she develops educational workshops that have been presented in various institutions and festivals. (Goethe Institut, Onassis Foundation, Panteio University, International Film Festival of Olympia, International Film Festival of Patmos, Film Festival of Drama, Ote Museum)
Since 2018 she’s started as a co-founder the Own Your Story Team, where she delivers deeper into the functions of leadership narrative and she collaborates with TEDxAthens as a Storytelling Speaker’s Coach & Stage Presence.
Pavlos Neocleous
Co-Founder & CEO SEMIO PRODUCTIONS LTD
Pavlos Neocleous is a distinguished filmmaker and entrepreneur who co-founded and leads SEMIO Productions Ltd, Cyprus's largest production company since 2007. Under his leadership, SEMIO has become a global player, producing commercials, films, documentaries, and nonfiction series for international markets.
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Mr. Neocleous holds a BA (Hons) in Media from the University of the West of England (1999), an MA in Film Studies and European Cinema (2002), and an MA in Filmmaking from the London Film School. His comprehensive training spans multiple formats including Super 16mm, 35mm, and HD, complemented by hands-on experience in London's Soho post-production industry, where he mastered editing, compositing, special effects, and color correction.
As President of the Commercial Film Producers Cyprus, Mr. Neocleous has been instrumental in elevating Cyprus's film industry to international standards. He has successfully deployed a global network of associates, introducing international talent to the Cypriot market and establishing the country as a competitive filmmaking destination.
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Through his vision and leadership, SEMIO Productions continues to thrive as a hub for creativity and excellence, positioning itself at the forefront of exemplary film and commercial content production in both local and global markets.
Alexia Makrides Neocleous
Executive Film and Commercial Producer
Mother of two teenagers, Alexia Makrides Neocleous is a dynamic executive producer specializing in film and commercial projects. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Contemporary Media Practice from the University of Westminster in the UK. A self-starter and passionate people person, Alexia has amassed extensive experience in film and commercial production from a young age.
Her remarkable journey in media began early, with her participation in an exchange program organized by the American Field Service (AFS) at age 15. Living with a foster family in Missouri, USA, and attending a local school, she developed strong interpersonal skills and independence that continue to define her professional ethos.Alexia's leadership skills and efficiency have been evident throughout her career, managing diverse teams and multi-tasking across various projects. Her extensive experience includes working with leading production studios and media networks in Cyprus, collaborating with professionals worldwide.
Her filmmaking journey began in 1999 when she produced Unwitnessed Memories, a documentary exploring the legacy of the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus. Since then, she has produced numerous commercials, short videos, documentaries, TV shows, and large-scale events through her own company, Eventi.In 2007, Alexia became an Executive Producer at SEMIO Productions, Cyprus’ leading production company.
She leads a talented team that partners with both local and international brands, advertising agencies, and regional producers. As a member of the European Producers Association (EPA), she actively participates in industry summits and conferences, and she spearheads the recently established film service unit within SEMIO.Beyond her professional achievements, Alexia continues to innovate and influence Cyprus’s film and commercial production landscape. Driven by her passion, positivity, and self-motivation, she believes that a positive mindset paves the way for success.
PRODUCTIONS
