2024 PRESS RELEASES
Hellenic Film Society USA Presents DIGNITY
At Museum of the Moving Image, Sunday, February 18 at 3pm
Astoria, NY – February 5, 2024—The Hellenic Film Society continues its Always on Sunday monthly Greek film series with a screening of the powerful domestic drama Dignity on Sunday, February 18 at 3pm at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. A trailer for the film can be seen here.
The film, which won the 2022 Thessaloniki International Film Festival Audience Award, is the directorial feature film debut of Dimitris Katsimiris, who also wrote the screenplay. The strong ensemble cast includes veteran actress Vangelio Andreadaki, who received a Hellenic Film Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
The story follows a family gathering celebrating their ailing father’s birthday that turns into an intense confrontation when the subject turns to who will care for him. Secrets and mistakes of the past are revealed, changing the lives of all involved.
Katsimiris credits his early career as a social worker for sharpening his understanding of seniors. “I hope my film raises questions and inspires conversation about caring for the elderly. Do we stand by them in difficult times, or do we take the nursing home solution? These are tough questions.”
“Dignity is a powerful film that raises provocative questions that most families will have to face at some point,” says Hellenic Film Society president Maria C. Miles. “We are proud to present an encore screening of this film, which was so enthusiastically received when it had its premiere at the New York Greek Film Expo 2023.”
For further information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.hellenicfilmusa.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram. The Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, is conveniently located near public transportation.
The screening is part of Always on Sunday, the Greek film series presented monthly by the Hellenic Film Society at the Museum of the Moving Image. The series is partially supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by Flushing Town Hall.
About the Hellenic Film Society USA
The Hellenic Film Society USA (HFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in the belief that Greek cinema deserves to be part of the American cultural landscape. The organization promotes feature films, documentaries, and film shorts made by Greek filmmakers and those of Greek descent, as well as films that promote the cultures of Greece and Cyprus.
In addition to collaborating with the prestigious Museum of the Moving Image for its series of monthly Greek film screenings, HFS presents the annual New York Greek Film Expo film festival. HFS also hosts a YouTube channel offering free Greek films and interviews with filmmakers.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Kallinikeion Foundation are the lead supporters of the Hellenic Film Society USA. Additional support is provided by Microsoft, Greek National Tourism Organization, AHEPA, the New York City Council, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Flushing Town Hall, Antenna Satellite TV, and NYC & Company. For additional information, please visit www.hellenicfilmusa.org or call 347-934-9497.
Press Contact for information or photos: Nancy Nicolelis/718-898-7002/nancy.nicolelis.hfs@gmail.com
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The Hellenic Film Society presents the powerful domestic drama Dignity on Sunday, February 18 at 3pm at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. Written and directed by Dimitris Katsimiris, the film won the 2022 Thessaloniki Internaitonal Film Festival Audience Award. | |
Hellenic Film Society USA Names Maria C. Miles President
Jimmy DeMetro to Remain Active on the Board as President Emeritus
Astoria, NY – January 25, 2024 – The Board of Directors of the Hellenic Film Society USA (HFS) has elected Maria C. Miles as president of the organization. The election followed the announcement by founding president Jimmy DeMetro that he was stepping back from day-to-day operations. He remains on the board as president emeritus and will continue to be active in the organization that promotes Greek film in the United States.
“It is time to pass the baton to a new generation of Greek film enthusiasts,” says Mr. DeMetro. “I am very confident that Mary has the leadership qualities, vision, and energy to lead the board and the Society to even greater heights as we bring Greek film to both Greek and non-Greek audiences.”
Ms. Miles, who has been a member of the board since 2019, brings much experience to her new role. She is the founding partner of an entertainment law firm in New York that focuses on all areas of entertainment and media law, including film, television, literary publishing, and digital media. Maria has served as counsel to numerous award-winning producers, directors, writers, actors, television hosts, multi-platinum recording artists, and sports teams. She is also an adjunct professor at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and the School of Visual Arts, teaching entertainment law to filmmakers.
She has extensive connections in the Greek and US film industries and has served as secretary of the board of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT). She has deep roots in the Greek-American community. Born and raised in New York City, she graduated from The Cathedral School of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and later served on its school board.
“I want to thank Jimmy DeMetro for promoting Greek culture through cinema and curating a Greek film festival in New York for the last 17 years. Jimmy has also mentored other US cities in their efforts to launch their own Greek film festivals,” said Ms. Miles. “Without Jimmy’s leadership and drive, we would not have been able to experience Greek cinema in the US as we have for almost two decades. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jimmy and the board in advancing the Hellenic Film Society as the premier organization for Greek film in the New York metropolitan area.”
About the Hellenic Film Society USA
The Hellenic Film Society USA (HFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in the belief that Greek cinema deserves to be part of the American cultural landscape. Founded in 2018, the organization promotes feature films, documentaries, and film shorts made by Greek filmmakers and those of Greek descent, as well as films that promote the cultures of Greece and Cyprus. In addition to collaborating with the prestigious Museum of the Moving Image for its series of monthly Greek film screenings, HFS presents the annual New York Greek Film Expo film festival. HFS also hosts a YouTube channel offering free Greek films and interviews with filmmakers.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Kallinikeion Foundation are the lead supporters of the Hellenic Film Society USA. Additional support is provided by Microsoft, Greek National Tourism Organization, AHEPA, the New York City Council, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Flushing Town Hall, Antenna Satellite TV, and NYC & Company. For additional information, please visit www.hellenicfilmusa.org or call 347-934-9497.
Press Contact for information or photos: Nancy Nicolelis/718-898-7002/nancy.nicolelis.hfs@gmail.com
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Maria C. Miles, Hellenic Film Society president | |
Hellenic Film Society USA Presents LISTEN
At Museum of the Moving Image, Sunday, January 14 at 3pm
Astoria, NY – January 5, 2024—The Hellenic Film Society kicks off 2024 with a screening of Maria Douza’s moving film, Listen on Sunday, January 14 at 3pm at the Museum of the Moving image in Astoria. The screening is part of the Society’s Always on Sunday monthly Greek film series.
Listen, a major hit at the New York Greek Film Expo 2023, has been acquired for international distribution by Srceenbound Entertainment UK, as it continues its run at major festivals around the world, most recently representing Greece at the European Union Foreign Film Festival in both Toronto and Ottawa. The film focuses on deaf teen Valmira, who must leave her progressive Athens school and return to her father’s struggling island where she is confronted by prejudice and intolerance. The film is in Greek with English subtitles. The trailer for the film can be seen here.
“My film is about the importance of communication, the need to be heard and the need to hear, the need to be understood and loved,” says director Maria Douza. “Deafness is a metaphor for our need to hear, but also for our choice not to hear; our need to be understood, but also our reluctance to understand. I wanted to make a film about goodness as an antidote for selfishness. After all, it is compassion and goodness which determine our humanity.”
“Listen is a rich viewing experience that examines both the cruelty and kindness people are capable of in their relationships with others, and delivers a message of acceptance and reconciliation,” says Jimmy DeMetro, president, Hellenic Film Society USA. “This movie is a beautifully acted drama, skillfully directed, and a real audience pleaser.”
For further information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.hellenicfilmusa.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram. The Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, is conveniently located near public transportation.
The screening is part of Always on Sunday, the Greek film series presented monthly by the Hellenic Film Society at the Museum of the Moving Image. The series is partially supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by Flushing Town Hall.
About the Hellenic Film Society USA
The Hellenic Film Society USA (HFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in the belief that Greek cinema deserves to be part of the American cultural landscape. The organization promotes feature films, documentaries, and film shorts made by Greek filmmakers and those of Greek descent, as well as films that promote the cultures of Greece and Cyprus.
In addition to collaborating with the prestigious Museum of the Moving Image for its series of monthly Greek film screenings, HFS presents the annual New York Greek Film Expo film festival. HFS also hosts a YouTube channel offering free Greek films and interviews with filmmakers.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is the lead supporter of the Hellenic Film Society USA. Additional support is provided by the Greek National Tourism Organization, the Kallinikeion Foundation, Antenna Satellite TV, and NYC & Company. For additional information, please visit www.hellenicfilmusa.org or call 347-934-9497.
Press Contact for information or photos: Nancy Nicolelis/718-898-7002/nancy.nicolelis.hfs@gmail.com
 | |
The Hellenic Film Society presents LISTEN, Maria Douza’s moving film about a deaf teenager, on Sunday, January 14 at the Museum of the Moving Image at 3pm. | |
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