Los Angeles Greek Film Festival

The 47th Drama International Short Film Festival opened today in the city of Drama in Northern Greece.
The jury of the National Student Competition Program consists of:

Aris Katopodis (Chairman), Artistic Director of Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. (LAGFF)

Stylianos Zerefos, professor of the Applied Arts and Sustainable Design Faculty of the Hellenic Open University.

Vania Turner, director, documentarist.

47th DISFF 2024: ALL IS DRAMA!

Three Greek winners at Sarajevo Film Festival — Heart of Sarajevo for Best Director went to Yorgos Zois for ARCADIA, Special Jury Awards WHAT WE ASK OF A STATUE IS THAT IT DOESN’T MOVE by Daphne Heretakis and the Cinelink Award to Asimina Proedrou (BEHIND THE HAYSTACKS) for the development of her next feature HYSTERA, a Greece/Slovenia/France co-production.

Way to go Greek filmmakers! 👏👏👏

Tribute to Michalis Cacoyannis on Ertflix International. Join for FREE and enjoy four iconic films by the renowned Greek director: IPHIGENIA, THE TROJAN WOMAN, SWEET COUNTRY, and THE CHERRY ORCHARD.

Five Greek co-productions will be presented at this year’s , the 49th Toronto International Film Festival.

MEAT (ΚΡΕΑΣ), Greece; Dimitris Nakos‘ first feature film; World Premiere.

INK WASH, a Romania/Greece/Denmark co-production, debut by director Sara Tsorakidis; World Premiere.

HARVEST, by Athina Rachel Tsangari; North America Premiere.

TRIUMPH, a Bulgaria/Greece co-production; World Premiere.

THE RETURN, filmed in Greece and co-produced by Heretic Films, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, a long awaited feature film inspired by the tale of Ulysses’ return to Ithaca; world Premiere.

Wishing all of them success and looking forward to bringing these films to our community soon!

LAGFF/GGFI Dignitaries Vlas Parlapanides and Charley Parlapanides, creators of the Netflix popular animated series BLOOD OF ZEUS, announced the return and final season 3 to debut in 2025. Board Member and GGFI Leader Lia Bozonelis attended a panel with, among others, stars LAGFF/GGFI Dignitary Chris Diamantopoulos and Elias Toufexis. 👏👏👏

Congratulations to LAGFF/GGFI dignitary Mena Suvari for her Emmy nomination for “outstanding Performer in a Sort Form Comedy or Drama Series.”




“For her brave acting performance as Detective Thompson, Suvari earned a 2024 Primetime Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series,” and if there is any justice, she will win in this competitive unisex category.”

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-david-bianchi-and-mena-suvari-star-in-the-tv-series-rzr/article

https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-david-bianchi-and-mena-suvari-star-in-the-tv-series-rzr/article

Review: David Bianchi and Mena Suvari star in the TV series ‘RZR’ Actors David Bianchi and Mena Suvari star in the new sci-fi TV series

We are so proud of LAGFF & GGFI Board Memeber Greg Yaitanes for ushering Apple TV’s PRESUMED INNOCENT to success and second season renewal! 👏 👏 👏

Starting today on Netflix

‘Find Me Falling’ Review: A Romance With an Edge Harry Connick Jr. stars as a cranky rocker who returns to Cyprus, the home of the love who inspired a signature hit.

The 47th DRAMA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (September 2-8, 2024) just announced its full program (Go to www.dramafilmfestival.gr). Since 2023, DISFF is an Oscar qualifying film festival. LAGFF and DISFF have partnered with exchange programs since 2023, when DISFF Artistic Director Yannis Sakaridis, National Student Competition Head Programmer Panagiotis Iosifelis and CINEMATHERAPY Director Denise Nikolakou visited the 17th LAGFF. Here’s to an amazing edition of DISFF!

Thelyia Petraki's short film 400 CASSETTES and Konstantina Kotzamani's WHAT MARY DIDN’T KNOW will screen at the 77th Locarno Film Festival at the Pardi di Domani section. Both Petraki and Kotzamani won Jury Awards for their previous films at LAGFF 2017 and Discovery Days (IPDF). Penny Panagiotopoulou's WISHBONE will have its World Premiere this Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Galway Film Fleadh in Ireland.

We wish all three talented women success!

DISCOVERY DAYS is growing and becoming truly international with a Greek focus. This year we had record submissions and participants/projects from Greece, Cyprus, France, Montenegro, Turkey, Germany, Canada and New Zealand. Our experts’ titles include such prestigious organizations/companies as Sundance Institute, AFI Conservatory, Mediterranean Film Institute, Participant, The Film Collaborative and many more.

We are incredibly proud of the Discovery Days team for having matched and beyond the rapid growth of their program in its 10th edition this year — Araceli Lemos (Director), Joel Garber (Producer), Karina Logothetis (Producer), Nasos Gatzoulis (Programmer)!

Discovery Days 2024 was co-sponsored by the Greek Film Centre.

This year’s physical award was created by Greek sculptor Kyriakos Rokos.

Such creativity and originality from each and every project —

BEAR HUG - Alexandros Skouras (Dir), Lina Yannopoulou (Prod)
FACING THE SEA - Marine Francen (Dir), Athena Xenidou (Prod)
FOUR FUNERALS AND A WEDDING - Nikola Mijovic (Dir), Maja Kecojevic (Prod)
HISTORY OF ENCHANTMENT - Tlbe Cana Inan (Dir), Aycan Aluclu (Prod)
NEARBY FARAWAY - Sonia Liza Kenterman (Dir), Myrto Stathi(Prod)
SUMMER 2002 - Kristina Mileska (Dir), Sonya Suraci (Prod), Steven Czikk (Prod)
WHEN THE GOATS CAME, Arthur Elias Gay (Dir), Laura Ganotis (Prod)

We are looking forward to inviting these films to screen at LAGFF!

THANK YOU to the Media Sponsors of the 2024 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival for your in-depth coverage and support: Hellenic News of America, Εθνικός Κήρυξ / The National Herald, Greek City Times, KPFK-FM Radio, Ertflix International, Greek Reporter, Hellenic DNA, Cosmos FM, and ANT Satellite.

WHO IS GOING TO GET THIS? Have you overlooked it?? A STEAL package at a lower starting bid price!

Only a few hours left to bid on —

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LINK in the bio or BID at www.lagff.org by clicking the AUCTION button.




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Aegialis Amorgos Hotel and Spa video The Aegialis Amorgos Hotel and Spa is a luxury 5 star hotel on the island of Amorgos sitting on a hill overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Meditteranean sea…

ANIMAL walked away with the 7 top awards tonight at Ελληνική Ακαδημία Κινηματογράφου / Hellenic Film Academy IRIS Awards.

Best Picture
Best Directing - Sofia Exarchou
Best Script - Sofia Exarchou
Best Female Lead - Dimitra Vlagopoulou
Best Supporting Female Lead - Flomaria Papadaki
Best Editing
Best Sound

LAGFF hosted writer/director Sofia Exarchou and supporting actress Flomaria Papadaki along with the film ANIMAL at the 18th Los Angeles Greek Film Festivals Opening Night earlier this month, winning the ORPHEUS Award for Best Picture and lead actress Dimitra Vlagopoulou for Best Performance.

FONISSA - MURDERESS by director Eva Nathena and starting Karyiofillia Karabeti received 5 awards tonight at IRIS Awards for:
Costumes
Art Design
Cinematography
Music
Makeup & Hair

The 18th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival had the pleasure of hosting the film FONISSA - MURDERESS along with director Eva Nathena and LAGFF 2024 HONOREE Karyiofillia Karabeti at Closing Night June 9, 2024

INSIDE - the film by Vasilis Katsoupis which was in our Discovery Days lab in 2018 received:
Best First Time Director - Katsoupis
Best Actor - Willem Dafoe
Best FSX - Antonis Kotzias

Stay tune for the complete list of winners for the IRIS Awards 2024.

A FANTASTIC DEAL donated to LAGFF by an old friend… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ AIGIALIS HOTEL & SPA in the beautiful Amorgos Island. Whoever gets this one is so 🍀🍀🍀🍀Go to www.lagff.org and click on the AUCTION button to BID. Or find the link below.

Bidding open to the end of the month only. Support LAGFF and our filmmakers while you play the game!

Here’s the dream deal — Enjoy a Greek island experience on Amorgos/Greece at Five Star Aegialis Hotel & Spa; one week’s accommodation for 2-4 people in a beautiful Suite with amazing Sea View. Package includes arrival and departure Transfers on Amorgos; breakfast and dinner daily; complimentary use of all “Lalon Idor” Spa facilities; yoga class daily; a cooking class with lunch.

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If you are dreaming of a Greek Getaway? look what we have for you!

From luxury hotel stays in Greece to artworks and gifts – our auction is worth your attention. All proceeds go to our programs in support of Greek filmmakers!

Enjoy a fantastic Greek island experience on Amorgos/Greece at Five Star Aegialis Hotel & Spa; one week’s accommodation for 2-4 people in a beautiful Suite with amazing Sea View. Package include arrival and departure Transfers on Amorgos; breakfast and dinner daily; complimentary use of all “Lalon Idor” Spa facilities; yoga class daily; a cooking class with lunch.

Simpson Travel offers a stay at Kalloni, in the charming fishing village of Mochlos, Crete, and includes 7-night accommodation for 6 people from April 29 to May 6, 2025, with daily breakfast served by your local concierge. This spectacular, contemporary villa comes with panoramic sea views, beautiful private gardens with heated infinity pool, three ensuite double bedrooms, and a gym room with sauna.

Explore Andros offers a VIP tour of Andros island, on a one-day boat cruise and a 3-night stay, 2-4 people, at Castel Abaso Boutique Hotel in the whirlpool bath suite in the main town of Chora, a fantastic location close to everything you need on foot. Enjoy breakfast from local fresh products at Fresco Juice Bar. Pick up and drop off are offered to and from Batsi Port.

Discover Touchstone House, an 18th-century farmhouse owned by late Greek actor Irene Papas, located in the historically preserved village of Livadia in the island of Andros. Nestled in the verdant and gently tiered foothills among cypress and olive trees, the house is 2 kilometers from the beach and the well-preserved Andros Town. Indulge in a 3-night stay on this enchanting island.

Go to www.lagff.org and click on the ACTION button to see all the items and bid.

We had a deeply moving experience on June 4 at LAGFF’s Cinematic Tribute to Cyprus — Honorary Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides addressed the audience after the screening of the heart-wrenching Michael Cacoyannis documentary ATTILA 74 about the invasion of Cyprus in 1974. He stressed the importance of supporting Cyprus' sovereignty for all Hellenism.

The event was hosted in partnership with Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Honorary Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides, and the Ίδρυμα Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης - Michael Cacoyannis Foundation — and it was presented by the Aris Anagnos Charitable Trust.

Aris Anagnos (1923-2018) (photo 4) was born in Greece and fought in the Second World War. In California, where he graduated from UCLA, he became a successful entrepreneur and a social justice proponent. When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, Anagnos and his friends established the Save Cyprus Council (later known as American Hellenic Council), which became an important political lobby group for the promotion of Greek-American interests.
Aris Anagnos had served on the LAGFF Board and was a supporter of Greek arts and culture. We are grateful to have his family reinstate the support from the Aris Anagnos Charitable Trust, in his name.

We thank Fr. Gary Kyriacou, Demos Anagnos, Anna Yallourakis, and our whole staff & volunteers team for an incredible and informative evening!

18th LAGFF ORPHEUS AWARDS 2024

Photos by: Urbanite Media Steve Sasaki

Talented Greeks in Hollywood on Closing Night, June 9!

PHOTO 1 - Presenter actress Marie Avgeropoulos, photo by Srini Rajan .la
PHOTO 2 - MC actress/comedian Arianna Papalexopoulos, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 3 - Actress Sofia Milos, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 4 - Board Member writer/producer Lia Bozonelis, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 5 - Actress/author Patricia Kara (left ) with actress/producer Maria Korinthiou, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 6 - Filmmaker Josh Baker with actress Marielli Manoudaki, photo by Vanessa Skopeo
PHOTO 7 - Actress/writer Eliza Gerontakis (left) with MC actress/comedian Arianna Papalexopoulos, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 8 - Actress Elena Evangelo, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography
PHOTO 9 - Actress/producer Maria Korinthiou (left) with MC actress/comedian Arianna Papalexopoulos, photo by Vanessa Skopeo
PHOTO 10 - Director Eva Nathena (left) with actress Karyofyllia Karabeti (middle) with Closing Night presenters Tina and George Kolovos, photo by Steve Sasaki .photography

HAPPY🥂BIRTHDAY! TO ARISTOTLE KATOPODIS
LAGFF Artistic & Festival Director
Thank you for 11 years of leadership and a most successful 18th year!

Thank you!! ERT NEWS, Ertflix International and John Grigoras

Λαμπερές προσωπικότητες, βραβεία και το ERTFLIX International στο 18ο Φεστιβάλ Ελληνικού Κινηματογράφου Λος Άντζελες Το 18ο Φεστιβάλ Ελληνικού Κινηματογράφου Λος Άντζελες τελείωσε με μια θεαματική βραδιά που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Silver Screen Theatre, στο Pacific Design