Syllas Tzoumerkas was born in Thessaloniki. He grew up in Thessaloniki, Kilkis and the island of Nissyros.
His first feature film HOMELAND (2010) had its world premiere at the Critics’ Week of the Venice International Film Festival. His second feature, A BLAST premiere in competition at the Locarno International Film Festival 2014. His third feature, THE MIRACLE OF THE SARGASSO SEA premiered at the Panorama of the 2019 Berlinale. His co-direction with Christos Passalis, documentary / essay / fiction film THE CITY AND THE CITY, premiered at the 2022 Encounters Competition of the Berlinale. Acclaimed for their distinctive style, bold characterisation and strong performances, Tzoumerkas’ films participated in several festivals around the world (BFI London, New Directors New Films by MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center, Karlovy Vary – Variety’s 10 European Directors to Watch, Rotterdam, Seattle, BiFAN, Jeonju, the American Film Institute’s European Film Showcase, etc.), and have been distributed in theatres and streaming platforms in many countries.
As a writer, Tzoumerkas co-wrote the scripts for Argyris Papadimitropoulos’ feature SUNTAN (Rotterdam / SXSW 2016) and Ahmad Ghossein’s ALL THIS VICTORY (Venice 2019). As an actor, he participated in many feature and short films.
In 2021, he initiated and co-curated together with fellow director Elina Psykou MOTHERLAND, I SEE YOU – THE 20th CENTURY OF GREEK CINEMA, the restoration program and moving festival of the Hellenic Film Academy. In April 2023, he co-curated with film critic and programmer Lorenzo Esposito and professor and cultural practitioner Maria Chatzichristodoulou, the film and live-art festival PANIGÍRI – LIVE CINEMA, THE WORKING CLASS, SIRENS for Eleusis 2023 – European Capital of Culture.
In theatre and in multi-platform works he collaborated with Onassis Stegi (HIGH AND LOW, X-APARTMENTS), the Greek National Opera (THE CITY AND THE CITY), the Athens Epidaurus Festival (THE WAHNCAU FILE), the National Theatre of Northern Greece (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF), and others.
His latest film work, the short MY MOTHER IS A SAINT had its world premiere at the Pardi di Domani – Auteur Shorts Competition of the 2023 Locarno International Film Festival.
His new feature film, A THOUSAND DAYS, A THOUSAND NIGHTS is in development.