In his opening remarks, Festival creative topper Aris Katopodis remarked “This 10th LAGFF is almost history, but it is also one that made history. Most films than ever, 56, most filmmakers present, 58, most North American Premieres 24, largest attendance and the belief that the future LAGFF will continue to shine, full of hope for Greek film, filmmakers and Greek culture, here in Los Angeles.”
The sold out Egyptian theatre was peppered throughout with 40 students from the Stella Adler Acting Academy dressed to honor the various eras since cinema began.
Aris Katopodis, Christopher Papakaliatis, J. K Simmons and Dorothea Paschalidou
Katopodis introduced festival cofounders
Ersi Danou and Angeliki Giannakopoulos. Danou thanked the many professionals including Executive Producer Alex Kalognomos and coproducer Eleni Arvaniti, the 50 volunteers and sponsors who have grown the festival to one of the premier summer events in Los Angeles. Giannakopoulos spoke to the filmmakers and the fact that when they conceived the idea for LAGFF all the festival directors in town told them they would not last four years emphasizing how wrong they were.
Kelly Vlahakis Hanks took the stage to give out the night’s first Jury prize the Van Vlahakis Short Film Award to Alexander Swart’s Stagnation.
Next up,
My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Louis Mandylor announced the final
Jury Prize for Best Performance to actress
Maria Kavogianni for her portrayal of the older love interest to
J.K. Simmons in
Worlds Apart.
The International Project Discovery Awards were handed out by IPDF alumnus Paolo Marinou- Blancowith honors and scholarship going to Turkish born Nazli Elif Durlufor her project Zuhal. An honorable mention went to Haris Raftogiannis for his pitch The River.
HBO/Cinemax’s Kary Antholis introduced the first honoree of the evening 20th Century Fox Chairman & CEO Jim Gianopulos.
The
Orpheus Awards concluded
five days of screenings and master classes and events for the patrons and participants of the festival. The fest began with raves from the crowd for the North American premiere of
Tassos Boulmetis bitter-sweet
Mythopathy introduced with a live performance by world renowned singing sensation
Alexia Vassiliou accompanied by guitarist George Karpasitis. The opening night party which kicked off the five days of screenings, master classes, and culinary events was DJ’d by KCRW’s Chris Douridas.