JUNE 2024

Read the latest news about what’s happening in Greek cinema and about the filmmakers, both in Greece and in the US, with powerful stories to tell.

HELLENIC FILM ACADEMY
ANNOUNCES AWARD NOMINATIONS

As expected, Murderess (Fonissa), the season’s top-grossing Greek film, dominates the Hellenic Film Academy Award nominations with a total of 16. Based on the classic novella by Alexandros Papadiamantis, the drama centers on one woman’s misguided attempt to confront the outrages of a patriarchal society. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Eva Nathena); Screenplay (Katerina Bei); Actress (Karyofyllia Karabeti); Actor (Dimitris Imelos); Supporting Actress (Maria Protopappa); and Supporting Actor (Giannis Tsortekis).
Animal, the grand prize winner at the 2023 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, earned 14 nominations, including Best Picture; Director (Sofia Exarhou); Screenplay (Sofia Exarhou); Actress (Dimitra Vlagopoulou); Supporting Actor (Achilleas Hariskos); and Supporting Actress (Flomaria Papadaki). The drama is the story of an aging, modestly talented entertainer who realizes that her career is coming to an end.
The Summer With Carmen (Το Καλοκαίρι της Κάρμεν), the sexually graphic gay-themed story of two friends working on making a movie, garnered 12 nominations, among them Best Picture; Director (Zacharias Mavroeidis); Screenplay (Zacharias Mavroeidis, Xenophon Halatsis); Supporting Actress (Roubini Vasilakopoulou); and Supporting Actor (Andreas Lambropoulos).
Polydroso, Alexandros Voulgaris’s dissection of a mother-daughter relationship, won six nominations, including two for its leading actresses, Sofia Kokkali and Vicky Kagia.
Thanos Tokakis’ shattering performance as one of two troubled fathers in Little Things That Went Wrong (Μικρά Πράγματα Που Πήγαν Λάθος) earned him a Best Actor nomination. The film garnered a total of five nominations, including Best Picture; First-Time Director (Haris Vafeiadis); and Screenplay (Haris Vafeiadis).
The Last Taxi Driver (Ο Τελευταίος Ταξιτζής), the consistently surprising story of how a man’s life is changed after he witnesses a suicide, won five nominations, including Best Screenplay (Stergios Paschos); Actor (Kostas Koronaios); Actress (Klelia Andriolatou); and Supporting Actress (Marisha Triantafyllidou).
Master filmmaker Periklis Hoursoglou was nominated for his screenplay for The Promotion (Εξέλιξη), the story of a father and son reliving past experiences and achieving cathartic healing. The film’s four nominations also include Best Actor (Alexandros Logothetis); Supporting Actress (Eleni Gerasimidou); and Supporting Actor (Vasilis Kolovos).
Medium, a story about the pains of first love received five nominations, including Best Director (Christina Ioakeimidi); Actress (Angeliki Beveratou); and Supporting Actress (Martha Frintzila).
Arguably the most surprising nominations were the seven that went to a little-seen English-language film called Inside, the story of an art thief who gets trapped in a millionaire’s penthouse he is burglarizing. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Vasilis Katsoupis); and Actor (Willem Dafoe).
The Hellenic Film Academy Award ceremony will be held on June 26.
To watch HFS interviews with some of the nominees, including Katerina Bei, Karyofyllia Karabeti,  Sofia Kokkali, Zacharias Mavroeidis, Eva Nathena, Thanos Tokakis, and Alexandros Voulgaris visit the Conversations with Filmmakers playlist on our YouTube channel.

HELLENIC FILM ACADEMY
ANNOUNCES AWARD NOMINATIONS

As expected, Murderess (Fonissa), the season’s top-grossing Greek film, dominates the Hellenic Film Academy Award nominations with a total of 16. Based on the classic novella by Alexandros Papadiamantis, the drama centers on one woman’s misguided attempt to confront the outrages of a patriarchal society. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Eva Nathena); Screenplay (Katerina Bei); Actress (Karyofyllia Karabeti); Actor (Dimitris Imelos); Supporting Actress (Maria Protopappa); and Supporting Actor (Giannis Tsortekis).
Animal, the grand prize winner at the 2023 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, earned 14 nominations, including Best Picture; Director (Sofia Exarhou); Screenplay (Sofia Exarhou); Actress (Dimitra Vlagopoulou); Supporting Actor (Achilleas Hariskos); and Supporting Actress (Flomaria Papadaki). The drama is the story of an aging, modestly talented entertainer who realizes that her career is coming to an end.
The Summer With Carmen (Το Καλοκαίρι της Κάρμεν), the sexually graphic gay-themed story of two friends working on making a movie, garnered 12 nominations, among them Best Picture; Director (Zacharias Mavroeidis); Screenplay (Zacharias Mavroeidis, Xenophon Halatsis); Supporting Actress (Roubini Vasilakopoulou); and Supporting Actor (Andreas Lambropoulos).
Polydroso, Alexandros Voulgaris’s dissection of a mother-daughter relationship, won six nominations, including two for its leading actresses, Sofia Kokkali and Vicky Kagia.
Thanos Tokakis’ shattering performance as one of two troubled fathers in Little Things That Went Wrong (Μικρά Πράγματα Που Πήγαν Λάθος) earned him a Best Actor nomination. The film garnered a total of five nominations, including Best Picture; First-Time Director (Haris Vafeiadis); and Screenplay (Haris Vafeiadis).
The Last Taxi Driver (Ο Τελευταίος Ταξιτζής), the consistently surprising story of how a man’s life is changed after he witnesses a suicide, won five nominations, including Best Screenplay (Stergios Paschos); Actor (Kostas Koronaios); Actress (Klelia Andriolatou); and Supporting Actress (Marisha Triantafyllidou).
Master filmmaker Periklis Hoursoglou was nominated for his screenplay for The Promotion (Εξέλιξη), the story of a father and son reliving past experiences and achieving cathartic healing. The film’s four nominations also include Best Actor (Alexandros Logothetis); Supporting Actress (Eleni Gerasimidou); and Supporting Actor (Vasilis Kolovos).
Medium, a story about the pains of first love received five nominations, including Best Director (Christina Ioakeimidi); Actress (Angeliki Beveratou); and Supporting Actress (Martha Frintzila).
Arguably the most surprising nominations were the seven that went to a little-seen English-language film called Inside, the story of an art thief who gets trapped in a millionaire’s penthouse he is burglarizing. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Vasilis Katsoupis); and Actor (Willem Dafoe).
The Hellenic Film Academy Award ceremony will be held on June 26.
To watch HFS interviews with some of the nominees, including Katerina Bei, Karyofyllia Karabeti,  Sofia Kokkali, Zacharias Mavroeidis, Eva Nathena, Thanos Tokakis, and Alexandros Voulgaris visit the Conversations with Filmmakers playlist on our YouTube channel.

HELLENIC FILM ACADEMY
ANNOUNCES AWARD NOMINATIONS

As expected, Murderess (Fonissa), the season’s top-grossing Greek film, dominates the Hellenic Film Academy Award nominations with a total of 16. Based on the classic novella by Alexandros Papadiamantis, the drama centers on one woman’s misguided attempt to confront the outrages of a patriarchal society. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Eva Nathena); Screenplay (Katerina Bei); Actress (Karyofyllia Karabeti); Actor (Dimitris Imelos); Supporting Actress (Maria Protopappa); and Supporting Actor (Giannis Tsortekis).
Animal, the grand prize winner at the 2023 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, earned 14 nominations, including Best Picture; Director (Sofia Exarhou); Screenplay (Sofia Exarhou); Actress (Dimitra Vlagopoulou); Supporting Actor (Achilleas Hariskos); and Supporting Actress (Flomaria Papadaki). The drama is the story of an aging, modestly talented entertainer who realizes that her career is coming to an end.
The Summer With Carmen (Το Καλοκαίρι της Κάρμεν), the sexually graphic gay-themed story of two friends working on making a movie, garnered 12 nominations, among them Best Picture; Director (Zacharias Mavroeidis); Screenplay (Zacharias Mavroeidis, Xenophon Halatsis); Supporting Actress (Roubini Vasilakopoulou); and Supporting Actor (Andreas Lambropoulos).
Polydroso, Alexandros Voulgaris’s dissection of a mother-daughter relationship, won six nominations, including two for its leading actresses, Sofia Kokkali and Vicky Kagia.
Thanos Tokakis’ shattering performance as one of two troubled fathers in Little Things That Went Wrong (Μικρά Πράγματα Που Πήγαν Λάθος) earned him a Best Actor nomination. The film garnered a total of five nominations, including Best Picture; First-Time Director (Haris Vafeiadis); and Screenplay (Haris Vafeiadis).
The Last Taxi Driver (Ο Τελευταίος Ταξιτζής), the consistently surprising story of how a man’s life is changed after he witnesses a suicide, won five nominations, including Best Screenplay (Stergios Paschos); Actor (Kostas Koronaios); Actress (Klelia Andriolatou); and Supporting Actress (Marisha Triantafyllidou).
Master filmmaker Periklis Hoursoglou was nominated for his screenplay for The Promotion (Εξέλιξη), the story of a father and son reliving past experiences and achieving cathartic healing. The film’s four nominations also include Best Actor (Alexandros Logothetis); Supporting Actress (Eleni Gerasimidou); and Supporting Actor (Vasilis Kolovos).
Medium, a story about the pains of first love received five nominations, including Best Director (Christina Ioakeimidi); Actress (Angeliki Beveratou); and Supporting Actress (Martha Frintzila).
Arguably the most surprising nominations were the seven that went to a little-seen English-language film called Inside, the story of an art thief who gets trapped in a millionaire’s penthouse he is burglarizing. Nominations include Best Picture; Director (Vasilis Katsoupis); and Actor (Willem Dafoe).
The Hellenic Film Academy Award ceremony will be held on June 26.
To watch HFS interviews with some of the nominees, including Katerina Bei, Karyofyllia Karabeti,  Sofia Kokkali, Zacharias Mavroeidis, Eva Nathena, Thanos Tokakis, and Alexandros Voulgaris visit the Conversations with Filmmakers playlist on our YouTube channel.

LONG-AWAITED ‘GUEST STAR’
TO OPEN THIS SUMMER

Guest Star, the long-awaited second feature of writer, director, actor Vasilis Chrisotofilakis, is set for early summer release in Greece. The satirical dark comedy centers on the hapless son of famous actors who is given the chance to earn his own place in the public eye by becoming the host of a late-night TV talk show. Things get complicated when a fake love affair with an eccentric singer is set up to enhance his image.
“The film turned out to be a darker romcom than I first intended,” says Christofilakis. “It started as a pure comedy, but I found myself progressively cutting all the slapstick content and focusing on the heavier stuff. To this day, I don’t know how to label the film. Some people laugh at the end; others cry. Some find it heavy; others, light. What I want is for the audience to appreciate the emotional sensitivity of the characters.”
Christofilakis made his feature film debut back in 2017 with the acclaimed comedy, Too Much Info Clouding Over My Head, which was featured in the Hellenic Film Society’s 2018 New York Greek Film Expo. “That film was quite successful, so the pressure of doing better the second time around was pretty tough. The whole ’high expectations’ thing was a bit too much for me. Sure, I was more experienced, but I couldn’t stop checking myself constantly,” he says.
Christofilakis says that when developing a film, it all begins with the main character.  “He must be a millennial with some weakness. I try to think of interesting stories that can be built around him. The madness of the star system and inherited celebrity always seemed like a bittersweet subject that I wanted to examine. The new film gave me the chance to do that.”
Even as he works on the release of his film, Christofilakis has two new projects lined up. This fall he begins shooting Void Punk Demon, a horror/slacker comedy about a hipster hermit who awakens an ancient evil in the woods. Next will be Reunion, a comedy about a failed 40-year-old stand-up comic who goes to his high school reunion and gets in all kinds of trouble.

LONG-AWAITED ‘GUEST STAR’
TO OPEN THIS SUMMER

Guest Star, the long-awaited second feature of writer, director, actor Vasilis Chrisotofilakis, is set for early summer release in Greece. The satirical dark comedy centers on the hapless son of famous actors who is given the chance to earn his own place in the public eye by becoming the host of a late-night TV talk show. Things get complicated when a fake love affair with an eccentric singer is set up to enhance his image.
“The film turned out to be a darker romcom than I first intended,” says Christofilakis. “It started as a pure comedy, but I found myself progressively cutting all the slapstick content and focusing on the heavier stuff. To this day, I don’t know how to label the film. Some people laugh at the end; others cry. Some find it heavy; others, light. What I want is for the audience to appreciate the emotional sensitivity of the characters.”
Christofilakis made his feature film debut back in 2017 with the acclaimed comedy, Too Much Info Clouding Over My Head, which was featured in the Hellenic Film Society’s 2018 New York Greek Film Expo. “That film was quite successful, so the pressure of doing better the second time around was pretty tough. The whole ’high expectations’ thing was a bit too much for me. Sure, I was more experienced, but I couldn’t stop checking myself constantly,” he says.
Christofilakis says that when developing a film, it all begins with the main character.  “He must be a millennial with some weakness. I try to think of interesting stories that can be built around him. The madness of the star system and inherited celebrity always seemed like a bittersweet subject that I wanted to examine. The new film gave me the chance to do that.”
Even as he works on the release of his film, Christofilakis has two new projects lined up. This fall he begins shooting Void Punk Demon, a horror/slacker comedy about a hipster hermit who awakens an ancient evil in the woods. Next will be Reunion, a comedy about a failed 40-year-old stand-up comic who goes to his high school reunion and gets in all kinds of trouble.

NETFLIX TO FEATURE ROM-COM
DIRECTED BY STELANA KLIRIS
AND STARRING HARRY CONNICK, JR.

Find Me Falling, the new film by writer, producer, director Stelana Kliris, will premiere on Netflix on July 19, becoming the first Cypriot film on the worldwide streaming platform.
“We are thrilled about streaming on Netflix,” said Kliris. “Our film will be translated into over 30 languages and will be seen all over the world. This is the widest possible audience that we could share our film with. I hope that people will embrace the story and that this puts Cyprus on the cinematic map.”
Starring Harry Connick, Jr., the romantic comedy centers on a rock star who, following a failed comeback, moves to Cyprus to take a break from his career. He soon discovers that the isolated cliffside house he has rented has a notoriety that attracts unwanted visitors. Things get even more complicated when a former flame shows up.
“When I started writing the script, the main character was initially a writer, but once he evolved into a musician, Connick became the obvious choice for the lead,” Kliris explained. “He is a talented actor and a gifted musician. What more could we ask for?”
Kliris sent him the script with a personal letter explaining why she thought he was perfect for the role and why shooting in Cyprus would be an unforgettable experience. “He connected with the material, and it turned out to be an amazing experience for all of us,” she said. “He even wrote two incredible songs for the film.” Co-starring Agni Scott, the film was shot in 2023 with a predominantly Cypriot crew.
Born in South Africa, Kliris lives and works in Cyprus. She hopes to shoot her next feature film, a period drama, later this year. She also has a couple of rom-coms and a television series in development.

NETFLIX TO FEATURE ROM-COM
DIRECTED BY STELANA KLIRIS
AND STARRING HARRY CONNICK, JR.

Find Me Falling, the new film by writer, producer, director Stelana Kliris, will premiere on Netflix on July 19, becoming the first Cypriot film on the worldwide streaming platform.
“We are thrilled about streaming on Netflix,” said Kliris. “Our film will be translated into over 30 languages and will be seen all over the world. This is the widest possible audience that we could share our film with. I hope that people will embrace the story and that this puts Cyprus on the cinematic map.”
Starring Harry Connick, Jr., the romantic comedy centers on a rock star who, following a failed comeback, moves to Cyprus to take a break from his career. He soon discovers that the isolated cliffside house he has rented has a notoriety that attracts unwanted visitors. Things get even more complicated when a former flame shows up.
“When I started writing the script, the main character was initially a writer, but once he evolved into a musician, Connick became the obvious choice for the lead,” Kliris explained. “He is a talented actor and a gifted musician. What more could we ask for?”
Kliris sent him the script with a personal letter explaining why she thought he was perfect for the role and why shooting in Cyprus would be an unforgettable experience. “He connected with the material, and it turned out to be an amazing experience for all of us,” she said. “He even wrote two incredible songs for the film.” Co-starring Agni Scott, the film was shot in 2023 with a predominantly Cypriot crew.
Born in South Africa, Kliris lives and works in Cyprus. She hopes to shoot her next feature film, a period drama, later this year. She also has a couple of rom-coms and a television series in development.

ANDREAS KONSTANTINOU:
“I DON’T CARE IF I’M NOT THE LEAD”

The vagaries of post production and film distribution have kept Hellenic Film Academy Award-winning actor Andreas Konstantinou off movie screens for more than a year.
That’s about to change as three new films of his are being readied for release: Utopolis, by Serb director Vladimir Subotic, a socio-political drama focused on the migrant problem; The Zealot, the feature film debut of director Stelios Repanis; and a still untitled film directed by Aliki Danezi-Knutsen.
Konstantinou may be reaching a turning point in his career, where he no longer feels the pressure of proving himself as an actor. Reflecting on his approach to work, he admits to not wanting to accept roles that he thinks lack interest.  “I don’t want to think of my legacy when I’m choosing a role. I need to feel close to the character I’m playing.  I don’t care if I’m not the lead. Secondary parts are often much more interesting,” he said. “It could be a one-line part. I don’t have a problem with that as long as it’s something I like.”
Equally at home on stage, screen and TV, Konstantinou prefers theater work. “In a film, you play a role and it is locked. In theater every day is different. Theater is like life–always changing.”
An exclusive HFS interview with Andreas Konstantinou can be seen here.

ANDREAS KONSTANTINOU:
“I DON’T CARE IF I’M NOT THE LEAD

The vagaries of post production and film distribution have kept Hellenic Film Academy Award-winning actor Andreas Konstantinou off movie screens for more than a year.
That’s about to change as three new films of his are being readied for release: Utopolis, by Serb director Vladimir Subotic, a socio-political drama focused on the migrant problem; The Zealot, the feature film debut of director Stelios Repanis; and a still untitled film directed by Aliki Danezi-Knutsen.
Konstantinou may be reaching a turning point in his career, where he no longer feels the pressure of proving himself as an actor. Reflecting on his approach to work, he admits to not wanting to accept roles that he thinks lack interest.  “I don’t want to think of my legacy when I’m choosing a role. I need to feel close to the character I’m playing.  I don’t care if I’m not the lead. Secondary parts are often much more interesting,” he said. “It could be a one-line part. I don’t have a problem with that as long as it’s something I like.”
Equally at home on stage, screen and TV, Konstantinou prefers theater work. “In a film, you play a role and it is locked. In theater every day is different. Theater is like life–always changing.”
An exclusive HFS interview with Andreas Konstantinou can be seen here.

ANDREAS KONSTANTINOU:
“I DON’T CARE IF I’M NOT THE LEAD

The vagaries of post production and film distribution have kept Hellenic Film Academy Award-winning actor Andreas Konstantinou off movie screens for more than a year.
That’s about to change as three new films of his are being readied for release: Utopolis, by Serb director Vladimir Subotic, a socio-political drama focused on the migrant problem; The Zealot, the feature film debut of director Stelios Repanis; and a still untitled film directed by Aliki Danezi-Knutsen.
Konstantinou may be reaching a turning point in his career, where he no longer feels the pressure of proving himself as an actor. Reflecting on his approach to work, he admits to not wanting to accept roles that he thinks lack interest.  “I don’t want to think of my legacy when I’m choosing a role. I need to feel close to the character I’m playing.  I don’t care if I’m not the lead. Secondary parts are often much more interesting,” he said. “It could be a one-line part. I don’t have a problem with that as long as it’s something I like.”
Equally at home on stage, screen and TV, Konstantinou prefers theater work. “In a film, you play a role and it is locked. In theater every day is different. Theater is like life–always changing.”
An exclusive HFS interview with Andreas Konstantinou can be seen here.

NEW LANTHIMOS FILM
SCORES IN CANNES

Three months after Emma Stone’s Best Actress Oscar for her work in Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos has once again proven his ability to elicit award-winning performances from his actors. This time it was the Cannes Film Festival jurors who named Jesse Plemons Best Actor for his performance in Kinds of Kindness, the new Lanthimos film scheduled for theatrical release later this month.
Co-written with Efthimis Filippou, Lanthimos’s early collaborator, Kinds of Kindness is an anthology film, featuring Stone, Plemons and Willem Dafoe playing a part in each of three different stories.
Variety calls it a “scaldingly original” film. “Lanthimos serves up a triple helping of strange. It’s a quizzical concoction bound to baffle and delight in equal measure.”

NEW LANTHIMOS FILM
SCORES IN CANNES

Three months after Emma Stone’s Best Actress Oscar for her work in Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos has once again proven his ability to elicit award-winning performances from his actors. This time it was the Cannes Film Festival jurors who named Jesse Plemons Best Actor for his performance in Kinds of Kindness, the new Lanthimos film scheduled for theatrical release later this month.
Co-written with Efthimis Filippou, Lanthimos’s early collaborator, Kinds of Kindness is an anthology film, featuring Stone, Plemons and Willem Dafoe playing a part in each of three different stories.
Variety calls it a “scaldingly original” film. “Lanthimos serves up a triple helping of strange. It’s a quizzical concoction bound to baffle and delight in equal measure.”

NEW DOCUMENTARY CAPTURES THE LEGACY
OF RENOWNED COMPOSER YANNIS SPANOS

The audience at the closing night of the 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival cheered as the credits rolled for Yannis Spanos: A Life Behind the Marquee (Γιάννης Σπανός: Πίσω Απ’ Τη Μαρκίζα). Directed by Aris Dorizas, the film captures the legacy of the prolific Greek composer who died suddenly in 2019 at the age of 85.
Dorizas, who began work on his documentary as far back as 2014, found Spanos a somewhat reluctant subject. “He rarely spoke about himself,” Dorizas recalled. “He always said that his songs spoke for him. He kept wondering who would care to see a film about him.”
Spanos worked with every major singer in Greece, and his career spanned several decades. Alexiou (Οδός Αριστοτέλους), Bithikotisis, Parios, Arletta, Dimou, Galani, Mosholiou (Άνθρωποι μονάχοι), Tsanaklidou, and Kouka were among those who sang his songs. The film includes many of Spanos’s beloved melodies performed by a cast that is a virtual who’s who in Greek popular music.

NEW DOCUMENTARY CAPTURES THE LEGACY
OF RENOWNED COMPOSER YANNIS SPANOS

The audience at the closing night of the 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival cheered as the credits rolled for Yannis Spanos: A Life Behind the Marquee (Γιάννης Σπανός: Πίσω Απ’ Τη Μαρκίζα). Directed by Aris Dorizas, the film captures the legacy of the prolific Greek composer who died suddenly in 2019 at the age of 85.
Dorizas, who began work on his documentary as far back as 2014, found Spanos a somewhat reluctant subject. “He rarely spoke about himself,” Dorizas recalled. “He always said that his songs spoke for him. He kept wondering who would care to see a film about him.”
Spanos worked with every major singer in Greece, and his career spanned several decades. Alexiou (Οδός Αριστοτέλους), Bithikotisis, Parios, Arletta, Dimou, Galani, Mosholiou (Άνθρωποι μονάχοι), Tsanaklidou, and Kouka were among those who sang his songs. The film includes many of Spanos’s beloved melodies performed by a cast that is a virtual who’s who in Greek popular music.

NEW DOCUMENTARY CAPTURES THE LEGACY
OF RENOWNED COMPOSER YANNIS SPANOS

The audience at the closing night of the 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival cheered as the credits rolled for Yannis Spanos: A Life Behind the Marquee (Γιάννης Σπανός: Πίσω Απ’ Τη Μαρκίζα). Directed by Aris Dorizas, the film captures the legacy of the prolific Greek composer who died suddenly in 2019 at the age of 85.
Dorizas, who began work on his documentary as far back as 2014, found Spanos a somewhat reluctant subject. “He rarely spoke about himself,” Dorizas recalled. “He always said that his songs spoke for him. He kept wondering who would care to see a film about him.”
Spanos worked with every major singer in Greece, and his career spanned several decades. Alexiou (Οδός Αριστοτέλους), Bithikotisis, Parios, Arletta, Dimou, Galani, Mosholiou (Άνθρωποι μονάχοι), Tsanaklidou, and Kouka were among those who sang his songs. The film includes many of Spanos’s beloved melodies performed by a cast that is a virtual who’s who in Greek popular music.

FAMILY DRAMA BY TONY SPIRIDAKIS
NOW IN NATIONAL RELEASE

Based on his experience as the divorced father of an autistic son, Tony Spiridakis has written the screenplay for Ezra, directed by Tony Goldwyn, now in national theatrical release. The film stars Bobby Cannavale, Robert DeNiro, Rose Byrne, Whoopi Goldberg, and William Fitzgerald.
The story centers on an 11-year-old autistic boy expelled from school for disruptive behavior. Enrolling him in a special school and starting him on medication are recommended. Instead, in an impulsive attempt to protect him, his father, without the consent of his estranged wife, takes the boy on a cross-country road trip that impacts both their lives.
The film, which Roger Ebert.com says is “worth a watch,” won awards in its festival circuit last fall.
Queens-born Spiridakis is a director, writer, actor, producer and playwright, with a long list of credits in film, theater, and television.

FAMILY DRAMA BY TONY SPIRIDAKIS
NOW IN NATIONAL RELEASE

Based on his experience as the divorced father of an autistic son, Tony Spiridakis has written the screenplay for Ezra, directed by Tony Goldwyn, now in national theatrical release. The film stars Bobby Cannavale, Robert DeNiro, Rose Byrne, Whoopi Goldberg, and William Fitzgerald.
The story centers on an 11-year-old autistic boy expelled from school for disruptive behavior. Enrolling him in a special school and starting him on medication are recommended. Instead, in an impulsive attempt to protect him, his father, without the consent of his estranged wife, takes the boy on a cross-country road trip that impacts both their lives.
The film, which Roger Ebert.com says is “worth a watch,” won awards in its festival circuit last fall.
Queens-born Spiridakis is a director, writer, actor, producer and playwright, with a long list of credits in film, theater, and television.

TEACHING SCREENWRITING TO TEENAGERS

Most teenagers love movies. But how many have the opportunity to attempt screenwriting while still in school?
Chara Kourlessi, a passionate English teacher, author and screenwriter living in Athens, decided to share her screenwriting skills with her high school students this year. She designed an innovative English-speaking screenwriting course tailored to her students.
“The course included a step-by-step approach to developing a screenplay by examining the basic theoretical tenets and focusing on thought-provoking script analyses and meaningful exercises,” she explained. “This way the youngsters could hone their creativity skills, improve their English proficiency, and acquire basic screenwriting education.”
Students were asked to write their screenplays based on The Road Not Taken, the classic Robert Frost poem exploring uncertainty and indecision in life. At the course’s end, 14 English-language screenplays were submitted for evaluation and awards consideration.
“I will definitely continue offering the course to my Greek students,” Kourlessi said. “After all, unlocking the screenwriter in each child is both fascinating and intriguing.”
In addition to teaching, Kourlessi has written three children’s books and has received the Cosmocinema award at the Epidauros Film Festival for the script of the short film Amersa’s Gift.

TEACHING SCREENWRITING TO TEENAGERS

Most teenagers love movies. But how many have the opportunity to attempt screenwriting while still in school?
Chara Kourlessi, a passionate English teacher, author and screenwriter living in Athens, decided to share her screenwriting skills with her high school students this year. She designed an innovative English-speaking screenwriting course tailored to her students.
“The course included a step-by-step approach to developing a screenplay by examining the basic theoretical tenets and focusing on thought-provoking script analyses and meaningful exercises,” she explained. “This way the youngsters could hone their creativity skills, improve their English proficiency, and acquire basic screenwriting education.”
Students were asked to write their screenplays based on The Road Not Taken, the classic Robert Frost poem exploring uncertainty and indecision in life. At the course’s end, 14 English-language screenplays were submitted for evaluation and awards consideration.
“I will definitely continue offering the course to my Greek students,” Kourlessi said. “After all, unlocking the screenwriter in each child is both fascinating and intriguing.”
In addition to teaching, Kourlessi has written three children’s books and has received the Cosmocinema award at the Epidauros Film Festival for the script of the short film Amersa’s Gift.

TEACHING SCREENWRITING TO TEENAGERS

Most teenagers love movies. But how many have the opportunity to attempt screenwriting while still in school?
Chara Kourlessi, a passionate English teacher, author and screenwriter living in Athens, decided to share her screenwriting skills with her high school students this year. She designed an innovative English-speaking screenwriting course tailored to her students.
“The course included a step-by-step approach to developing a screenplay by examining the basic theoretical tenets and focusing on thought-provoking script analyses and meaningful exercises,” she explained. “This way the youngsters could hone their creativity skills, improve their English proficiency, and acquire basic screenwriting education.”
Students were asked to write their screenplays based on The Road Not Taken, the classic Robert Frost poem exploring uncertainty and indecision in life. At the course’s end, 14 English-language screenplays were submitted for evaluation and awards consideration.
“I will definitely continue offering the course to my Greek students,” Kourlessi said. “After all, unlocking the screenwriter in each child is both fascinating and intriguing.”
In addition to teaching, Kourlessi has written three children’s books and has received the Cosmocinema award at the Epidauros Film Festival for the script of the short film Amersa’s Gift.

OUTDOOR CINEMAS:
A CHERISHED GREEK TRADITION

Outdoor cinemas (θερινά σινεμά) are a cherished tradition in Greece, a ritual of summer. Sitting in rows of chairs with little tables in between and enjoying the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle in the air, is part of the experience of watching movies under the stars.
In the early 1900s, people called provolatzides would project films on makeshift screens set up in popular areas of Athens. The Aegli, opened in 1904 in the garden of Zappeion, is the oldest outdoor cinema still in operation. Other landmark outdoor cinemas in Athens include the Cine Dexameni, opened in 1905, in Lykabytos; the Thessio, opened in 1935, set against a stunning view of the Parthenon; and the Vox, in Exarchia, opened in 1938. Cine Flisvos, in Palio Faliro, is one of the newest, opened in 2003. Today, there are some 65 outdoor cinemas in Athens.
Before the pandemic, programming at outdoor cinemas largely consisted of classic films and reruns of the previous winter season’s hits. Post-pandemic, outdoor theaters now often show premieres of the latest Greek films. 
Singer/composer Loukianos Kilaidonis celebrated the outdoor cinema experience in his song Therina Cinema.

IRIS TRIVIA

The Hellenic Film Academy was founded in 2009. Its primary focus is to bestow annual awards for achievement in Greek cinema.

The first awards were given in 2010. In 2016, the Hellenic Film Academy Award was officially named the “Iris.”

Over the years, only two actors have won the Best Actor award twice: Antonis Kafetzopoulos in 2010 for Plato’s Academy and 2012 for Unfair World; and Vangelis Mourikis in 2015 for Stratos and 2021 for Digger.

Aris Servetalis, who won Best Actor in 2019 for The Waiter, also won Best Supporting Actor in 2022 for Pack of Sheep.

No one has won the Best Actress award more than once. However, Kora Karvouni won Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for J.A.C.E. and Best Actress in 2014 for September. Katia Goulioni was named Best Actress in 2018 for Polyxeni and Best Supporting Actress in 2020 for Eftyhia.

The Hellenic Film Academy presents two directing awards: Best Director and Best First-Time Director. It is possible for a director to be nominated in both categories for the same film in any given year.

No one has won the Best Director award more than once. However, Argyris Papadimitropoulos was named Best First Time Director in 2010 for Bank Bang and Best Director in 2017 for Suntan. In 2021, Georgis Grigorakis became the first (and only) director to win in both categories for Digger.

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