Pantelis Voulgaris’ award-winning period drama
Little England (Greece, 2013) is opening the festival, while
Panos H. Koutras’ wry and emotional road trip and this year’s Hellenic Film Academy Award winner
Xenia will conclude the Festival’s five days of screenings, red carpet events, receptions and industry panels at the Closing Night Gala on Sunday, June 7, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Little England by Pantelis Voulgaris
This year’s LAGFF welcomes a record 35 features, documentaries and short films to the program, including three World premieres, 14 US premieres and 10 Los Angeles premieres. Alongside Greece, countries represented in this year’s festival include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Israel, Germany, Qatar, United Kingdom and the United States.
“Our program, more than ever before, is an exciting amalgamation of social, satirical and political statements from a rejuvenated Greek film industry”, states Festival topper Aristotle Katopodis. “While the economic and social crisis in Greece, and Southern European region, continues to hold Greece and the world markets in limbo, the Greek filmmakers are responding with what one could call “Through The Lens Darkly” to paraphrase the title of Philip K. Dick΄s novel. Neonoir and classic noir films are taking hold as a favorite genre, we have at least four such offerings in this festival.” completed Mr. Katopodis.
LAGFF 2015 will offer more Premieres than ever before. Films making their American debuts include
Athanasios Karanikolas melodramatic feature
At Home (Greece/Germany, 2014), winner of the 2014
Berlin International Film Festival,
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury – Forum.
Yorgos Avgeropoulos’ documentary
Agora – From Democracy to the Market (Greece, 2015), which contrasts the center of the city’s transformation from heart of democracy to modern day commercialism, Australian filmmakers Carol Gordon & Natalie Cunningham’s documentary
Following Shira’s Journey: A Greek Jewish Odyssey (Australia/Greece, 2014)
, the untold story of the Greek Holocaust;
Medea: Louder Than My Thoughts (Greece, 2014) -
Nikos Grammatikos’ documentary exploring the mystical meaning within the pages of the Euripides play;
Yannis Vamvakas documentary
Panayiotis Tetsis: Playing With Colors (Greece, 2014) explores the life and work of a patrician artist, Panayiotis Tetsis, who marked contemporary Greek painting of the 20th Century.
Agora – From Democracy to the Market by Yorgos Avgeropoulos
Alexis Alexiou‘s explosive neo-noir film,
Wednesday 04:45 (Greece/Germany, 2015), is this year’s evening Centerpiece Premiere selection, screening on Saturday, June 6. The screening marks the film’s West Coast premiere. Alexiou and the film’s producer
Thanassis Karathanos will be on hand after the screening for a Q&A.
Other Premieres include Canadian Filmmaker George Tsioutsioulas’ documentary A Night in Athens (Canada, 2014) starring world renowned funnyman Angelo Tsarouchas; U.S. writer/directors Andreas Ignatiou and Josh Maddox’s Narcissa (USA, 2015, 7΄), a short film offering a modern take on the Greek myth of Narcissus set in the fashion industry; and U.S. director Jon L. Milano’s drama Straw Dolls (USA, 2015, 18΄) takes a look at the Armenian genocide through the lens of a suffering father.
“IPDF received a record number of submissions this year from 7 different Balkan countries and the US. The quality of the projects that we receive increases every year, making our selection process really difficult and really exciting! We can΄t wait to share their stories and introduce you to our bold, inspiring filmmakers. This year, IPDF will also present a series of industry events that will be open to the public where seasoned professionals will share their insights on independent filmmaking, new platforms and international distribution.” IPDF’s director Araceli Lemos adds.
The Orpheus Awards will be handed on the Closing Night Gala, which will include the special honors, as well as the Jury and Audience Awards and dinner reception.