LOS ANGELES GREEK FILM FESTIVAL
CELEBRATES FIRST DECADE CAPTURING THE FILMS
AND
FLAVOR OF GREECE.
FESTIVAL TO HONOR
ACADEMY AWARD ® WINNER J.K. SIMMONS
10th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, June 1-5, 2016, Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood
(May 4, Los Angeles, CA)- Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF.org) is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate its tenth anniversary June 1 – 5, 2016 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The lively festival will showcase more films, Q&A’s and festivities than ever before including a collaboration with Athens International Culinary Film Festival (AICFF) and a Gastronomical Sidebar complete with cuisine themed entertainment and top chef cooking demonstration with tasting.
This year’s offerings boast films from Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, UK, Greece, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. representing 15 narratives, 9 documentaries, and 31 short films. LAGFF will introduce four World premieres, 25 North American premieres, and 13 Los Angeles premieres to the Hollywood audience. 42 films will vie for LAGFF’s coveted “Audience Choice” Orpheus Award.
Remarking on this special anniversary, co-founder Ersi Danou noted, “For a decade now, we have brought new Greek Cinema to Los Angeles. Greece has seen the burgeoning of a new generation of filmmakers who are willing to step out of the box and approach their audience in bold ways. LAGFF is a chance for Los Angelinos to experience Greek cinema, and our filmmakers benefit from the bridging effect between Greece, the Balkans, and Hollywood."
Some festival highlights include the Opening Night North American premiere of Tassos Boulmetis’ bittersweet comedy “Mythopathy "(Notias) on Wednesday, June 1. The story is set during the 1970s military junta in Greece and follows a young boy, Stavros, as he copes with the ever changing social and political climate by reinventing established Greek myths and creating his own versions. This is the third feature from the award-winning “Touch of Spice” director. “Mythopathy” stars Hellenic Academy awardwinners Themis Panou (“Miss Violence”), Maria Kallimani (“Sto Spiti”) and introduces Giannis Niaros in his first feature starring role among others. Tasos Boulmetis, a former UCLA assistant professor and film school Alum, will be in attendance.
Sunday's Closing Night film will be Christopher Papakaliatis’ “Worlds Apart” in its debut outside of Greece. The film stars Academy Award® winner J.K. Simmons. “Worlds Apart” is the highest grossing Greek film since 2009, notably surpassing box office numbers in Greece for the long-awaited 2015 blockbusters “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Spectre”. "Worlds Apart" fosters three separate narratives each following a love story between a foreigner and a Greek. Each story represents a different generation falling in love during a time of socioeconomic turmoil that dominates Southern Europe as a whole, only to connect with a single story in the end. Christopher Papakaliatis and J.K. Simmons will be present for their film’s North American premiere.
Following the screening is the star-studded Orpheus Awards Ceremony and the closing night party including wine, food, and entertainment under the Hollywood stars. J.K. Simmons will receive the 2016 Orpheus at the ceremony hosted by “American Beauty” star Mena Suvari.
Thursday, June 2 LAGFF will have a special tribute to iconic Greek director Alexis Damianos with a screening of the all-time favorite masterpiece “Evdokia” in its original 35mm format. First released in 1971, this Greek/UK co-production is a love story between a prostitute (Evdokia) and a sergeant (Yorgos). The film features an original Manos Loizos’ Rembetico musical piece and stars the late Maria Vassilou (Chrysothemis) and Chris Zorbas (Silhouettes). In 2002, the Greek Film Critics Association voted Evdokia as one the 5 best Greek films of all time.
Thursday also offers writer/director Athina Rachel Tsangari’s critically acclaimed comedy “Chevalier”. Tsangari, who is attending this year’s festival, will also be conducting a Directing Master Class on Saturday, June 4 which is open to the public.
There is something for every Cinephile on Friday, June 3 when the Festival screens 15 films beginning at 4:00 P.M. The TGIF program includes a searing look at relationships with Panos Karkanevatos’ “Riverbanks” (Ohthes) and Dimitri Anthanitis’ drama “Invisible”. Representative of Friday's documentary offerings is Loukas Stamellos’ “Golden Dawn: A Personal Affair” about the Greek neo-Nazi party "Golden Dawn" and Vasilis Katsoupis’ “My Friend Larry Gus” about the Milan, Italy-based electronic artist. 3 10th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Fest June 1-5, 2016, Egyptian Theatre Preceding all narrative and documentary films is a litany of the best creative shorts of 2015 and 2016. Highlights include: Haris Pantelidakis comedy “Pacino’s Way”; Nikos Tsemberopoulos’, "Simon Says” winner of the Grand Prize of the Competition Section Greek Film Short Film of the 21st Athens International Film Festival 'Opening Nights’; Christos Liakouris’ family drama and festival circuit favorite “Pet” and “Stutterer” Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armitage’s 2015 Oscar Winner for Short Film (Live Action). Michael Paleodimos, “Stutterer” cinematographer will be in attendance for the film with Q&A to follow.
On Thursday June 2 and Saturday, June 4, LAGFF proudly hosts the films of the Athens International Culinary Film Festival (AICFF.ORG). The Gastronomical sidebar will offer savory treats like the moving yet joyful coming of age documentary from director Angelos Abatzoglou’s “Mustafa’s Sweet Dreams”; Taso Boulmetis award-winning relationship drama “A Touch of Spice” starring George Corraface as a forty-year-old chef who returns to Istanbul after years of exile World-renowned award-winning chef, Doxis Bekris will be on hand to offer up a tantalizing cooking demonstration in the Egyptian courtyard with tastes of Greek cuisine for all in attendance.
New this year, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Professor of Classics Katerina Zacharia instituted an Interdisciplinary Core course on “Representations of Greece: Ancient and Modern” with embedded student internships at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. The 16 LMU-LAGFF interns and Prof. Zacharia assisted in the selection of this year's program. LAGFF designated an LMU Special Selection slot at 10 pm on Saturday, June 4th 2016, during which the LAGFF-LMU interns selected Angelos Frantzis modern fantasy drama “Symptom” and the short “Pet” by Christos Liakouris for their screening.
For the first time in Festival history, LAGFF is opening its screenings free of charge to all college students with a valid student ID. Discounted tickets to the Opening and Closing Night Galas for eligible students will also be offered.
“With two major North American premieres and possibly the best Greek film of all time, we are proud to kick off our 10th annual LAGFF. We are screening an unprecedented 55 films and enjoying the attendance of over 50 filmmakers, representing their films in the festival. This is a Festival to experience and remember,” states artistic director Aris Katopodis.
The All-Access GOLD PASS is currently on sale. General admission tickets go on sale May 10th. For more information and press credentials, visit www.itsmyseat.com/LAGFF
LAGFF SPONSORS
The 2016 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is grateful for the support of numerous key sponsors.
LAGFF is proud to receive the support of Greek National Tourism Organization.
Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organization, where you’ll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! (Link: http://www.visitgreece.gr/)
Platinum Patron
Hostess Brands and the Metropoulos Family - Today, Hostess Brands, LLC. continues to delight snack fans everywhere with a variety of new and classic treats like Ding Dongs®, Ho Hos®, Donettes®, and Fruit Pies. They make the original crème-filled cakes that so many consider an irreplaceable part of American Life.
Gold Patron
The G.P. Kolovos & Associates - With a history of success in the real estate world and philanthropy, the Kolovos Family have been with LAGFF since its inception, and have been instrumental in its growth.
Medix: Launched in 2001, Medix was built on the principle of becoming a leading provider of workforce solutions for clients and candidates across the Healthcare, Scientific and Information Technology industries. As we grow and evolve, we recognize our differentiation lies not just in traditional staffing, but in true partnerships and collaboration on hiring solutions. We bring value to our talent by helping them identify their individual skills and aptitudes, matching them with opportunities to excel and creating communities where they can foster their skills and always have a trusted partner in their career. In supporting our clients, we understand that each organization and culture is unique, and we thrive in collaborating with our clients to provide innovative solutions to suit their specific needs. Through our core purpose of positively impacting lives, we're proud to partner with many philanthropies, including Camp Hometown Heroes and Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors.
Silver Patron:
Earth Friendly Products - Earth Friendly Products is a pioneer and a leader in the development and production of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies for household and commercial use, with over 150 products manufactured, distributed, and sold in the USA, Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia. All Earth Friendly Products are created with only replenishable and sustainable plant-based ingredients that are safe for people, pets, and the planet. The Company proudly adheres to its strict "Freedom Code". Avoiding a list of harmful and toxic ingredients that are not found in any of its products.
Earth Friendly Products has proudly received the 2010 GEELA Award for Sustainable Business Practices, 2009 Green PatrionTM Green 100TM Designation and the Champion level recognition from the US Epa, through the Design for the Environment (DfE) Program's Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative. The company's solar division, Progressive Power Group, is just another example of how Earth Friendly Products is a sustainable business leader.
Bronze Patrons:
Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Cinemax, West Coast Investors, and Jim Gianopulos.
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