LOS ANGELES, CA – (June 4, 2026) – The 20th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) drew to a close this weekend capping off a week of cinematic excellence, red carpet events, and memorable tributes.
The Closing Night Film & Orpheus Awards Ceremony at the Egyptian Theatre on May 31 were presented in collaboration with the American Cinematheque. The virtual film program continues through June 14.=
The festival, founded in 2007, has become one of the leading showcases for Greek and Cypriot cinema outside Greece, presenting hundreds of films and filmmakers to audiences in Los Angeles over the past two decades.
Under the direction of Artistic & Festival Director Aristotle Katopodis, LAGFF Closing Night featured the Honorary Orpheus Award presentation to award winning composer Alexandre Desplat, a Remembrance Tribute to George Kolovos (G.P. Kolovos & Associates) longtime LAGFF Benefactor, and the Orpheus Awards Ceremony and Courtyard Reception at the Egyptian Theatre.
“The 20th celebratory edition of LAGFF left indelible memories. Feting Alexandre Desplat, remembering Dean Tavoularis, and paying respects to our 20-year-long benefactors, the Kolovos family, are images deeply etched in our hearts and souls. Congratulations to all the filmmakers whose talent and creativity we celebrated this year. Thank you to our supporters, sponsors, and festival team who champion the art of Greek cinema.” – Aristotle Katopodis
The Closing Night film, Sundance World Cinema Audience Award-winning HOLD ONTO ME, directed by Myrsini Aristidou, took away the BEST FEATURE Orpheus Award. Following the screening, actor Michael Grant hosted a Q&A with Aristidou and KNX Radio’s Vivianne Linou served as Host for the Orpheus Awards Ceremony. LAGFF red carpet Closing Night was presented by Festival Benefactor, the Kolovos Family and the reception was catered by PETROS Restaurant; wines by AVRA; drinks by Kastra Elion, soft Drinks and water by SMARTWATER.
And The Winners are …
ANIMATION
Orpheus Award for Best Animation Film: Dream, by Semiramis Mamata Special Jury Award for Animation Film: Poppy Flowers, by Evridiki Papaiakovou
SHORT FILM
Orpheus Award for Best Short Film: Prelude to a Supernova, by Christos Artemiou Special Jury Award for Short Film: Gekas, by Dimitris Moutsiakas
FEATURE FILM
Orpheus Award for Best Feature Film: Hold Onto Me, by Myrsini Aristidou
Orpheus Award for Best Director: Krysianna Papadakis and Stergios Dinopoulos for Bearcave Special Jury Award for Best Director: Amerissa Basta for Life In A Beat
Orpheus Award for Best Performance: Denise Fraga for Dreaming of Lions
Special Jury Award for Best Performance: Niovi Charalampous for Smaragda – I Got Thick Skin and I Can’t Jump
Honorable Mention for Best Performance: Vangelis Mourikis for Patty is such a Girly Name
AUDIENCE AWARD
Feature Film: Best Friends Forever, by Konstantinos Mousoulis
Short Film: The Smoker by Alexa Economacos
SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARDS – Presented by LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, Department of Classics & Archaeology
SHORT FILM: The Wolves Return, by Stelios Moraitidis
FEATURE FILM: Maysoon, by Nancy Biniadaki
ORPHEUS AWARD PRESENTERS animator Aliki Theofilopoulos, actor/author Patricia Kara, music composer George Kallis, and film distributor Bill Vergos.
LAGFF JURY PANEL: Leo Behrens, Nora Bernard, Karen Cifarelli, Cheng Guo, Harrison James,
Chieh-Chih Liao, Eric Nazarian, Irene Soriano Saxon.
LAGFF is proud to continue its collaboration with the Egyptian Theatre, Netflix and the American Cinematheque.
The Egyptian Theatre changed the world of cinema when it opened its doors in 1922, providing a lavish and immersive movie experience for Hollywood audiences. The theater revolutionized film exhibition, hosted the first Hollywood movie premieres – including the very first, for Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks – and introduced the original red carpet. The Egyptian was a fixture of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a classic and esteemed movie palace that holds great historical significance in the world of cinema. This historic venue has been home to incredible cinematic experiences for over a century, helping establish Hollywood as the movie capital of the world while becoming a vital part of its cultural heritage. The theater has been restored to its original grandeur with the utmost attention given to every original design detail while also ensuring a state-of-the-art cinematic experience with the latest technology. The Egyptian Theatre is one of only five remaining theaters in the United States capable of projecting nitrate film, the film stock used from 1889 to the 1950s – as well as 35mm, 70mm and digital formats – bringing classic and modern cinema to life. In 2020, Netflix and the American Cinematheque announced that they were partnering to restore the esteemed movie palace. The Egyptian Theatre will remain the home of the American Cinematheque, whose highly regarded programming team will continue to independently program Friday, Saturday and Sunday features, with Netflix programming the rest of the week.
The American Cinematheque – Established in 1984, the American Cinematheque is a member-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural arts organization dedicated to building an engaged film community through immersive film curation, conversation, and presentation. The American Cinematheque celebrates the movie-going experience at the core of its mission. Since it first began showing films in theatres in 1985, the American Cinematheque has provided a wide range of film programming, with both new and repertory cinema, hosting screenings, panels and special events with thousands of filmmakers and luminaries. The Cinematheque showcases over 1,600 films per year; it connects the filmmaker to the audience and film history to its future. Presenting in 35mm, 70mm, rare nitrate, and state-of-the-art digital. Americancinematheque.com
Key Sponsors & Supporters
Festival Benefactor
G.P. Kolovos & Associates & The Kolovos Family
Festival Co-Presenter
European Languages & Movies in America (ELMA)
Major Supporters: Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, Department Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles (DCA), EKKOMED, ERT/ERFLIX/ERT COSMOS/VOICE OF GREECE, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Egyptian Theatre, Petros Restaurant, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Jim Gianopulos, Dr. Stephen and Dr. Anna Yallourakis, Earth Friendly Products (ECOS), and Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation.
Additional Supporters Include: Getty, Elios Charitable Foundation, Aris Anagnos Charitable Trust, Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, Iconic Films & The Antenna Group, Alexander Payne, West Coast Investors, and The Antholis Family.
LAGFF also extends gratitude to the Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, and the Honorable Andreas Kyprianides, Honorary Consul General of Cyprus.
About LAGFF Sponsors
- GPK & Associates and the Kolovos Family – GPK & Associates is an established property management company and family-owned business. GPK & Associates takes a hands-on approach to managing communities and has successfully leased and managed a large portfolio of apartment homes in the greater Los Angeles area for over 40 years. It is the company’s mission to provide residents with the highest quality customer service and ensure their homes are comfortable and the properties are well maintained. GPK & Associates take pride in their level of customer service and the quality of workmanship provided in their remodeled apartment homes. They believe this translates into a positive rental experience for all residents who live in their communities. gpkassociates.com
- European Languages & Movies in America (ELMA) – Founded in 2007, European Languages & Movies in America (ELMA) is a Santa Monica-based foundation dedicated to showcasing European cinema to foster cross-cultural dialogue. In partnership with festivals, consulates, cultural institutes and local organizations, ELMA supports a diverse range of European film screenings and cultural events across Los Angeles. The organization is based on the belief that film is a universal language, one that sparks curiosity, develops understanding, and creates meaningful connections between people and cultures. Through screenings, conversations, educational programming and community events, ELMA celebrates the richness of Europe’s cinematic traditions while making international storytelling accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages.
- EKKOMED – The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center S.A. (H.F.A.C.) was established by Law 5105/2024 with the merger of the Greek Film Centre and the National Centre for Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME). The Company’s headquarters are in Athens. H.F.A.C. is the main body exercising the country’s film policy and audiovisual policy. The mission of H.F.A.C. is: (a) to develop, strengthen and protect the Greek cinematographic, audiovisual and creative sector in general and to promote it internationally, (b) to support domestic and attract foreign investments in the film / audiovisual sector, as well as in the cultural and creative sector in general, (c) to support the integration of new digital technologies and innovations in the audiovisual industry and the use of modern digital means for the promotion of the country’s cultural and creative sectors, as well as the promotion and support of research in these fields, (d) the organization and operation of the National Digital Repository of Audiovisual Works and the Innovation and Technology Hub for the Creative and Audiovisual Sector (Creative Hub GR), as well as other structures and programs for the support, networking and extroversion of these sectors, (e) to contribute to the fight against piracy, online, technological or otherwise, in the film, audiovisual and creative sectors of the country in cooperation with co-competent bodies, (f) the design and implementation of education and training programs for the audiovisual sector and the promotion of audiovisual education in accordance with technological developments, (g) the support of the Government in the design of the policy for the film, audiovisual and creative industries of the country and its general support and promotion in Greece and abroad.
- Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture– The mission of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture (LACDAC) is to advance arts, culture, and creativity throughout LA County. LACDAC provides leadership, services, and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations, countywide arts education initiatives, commissioning and care for civic art collections, research and evaluation, access to creative pathways, professional development, free community programs, and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues. All this work is framed by the longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts, and the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative. lacountyarts.org
- Petros Restaurant- Petros Benekos opened his flagship restaurant, Petros Restaurant, in Manhattan Beach, Calif. in 2007, which Zagat named “Top New Restaurant”. The popular restaurant continues to earn accolades and awards celebrating Petros’s meticulously handmade recipes inspired by his mother. Today three additional Petros restaurants serve the popular communities of Hollywood, Century City, El Segundo and Solvang; while Petros’ ‘Villa and Vine‘ is a premier place for hosting luxury private events in Santa Barbara.
- The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood – Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood brings the distinct Chicago hospitality brand to the West Coast. Exuding the energy of old Hollywood, the hotel’s curated art program and immersive interior design set the stage for supreme Hollywood moments. godfreyhotelhollywood.com
- Earth Friendly Products (ECOS) – Over 50 years ago, ECOS founder Van Vlahakis made a commitment to create safer cleaning products that protect the health and well-being of both people and the planet. That continues to be ECOS mission today. Van’s legacy continues with his daughter, CEO Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks. Under her leadership, ECOS has achieved Climate Positivity, becoming the world’s first company to make its products in carbon neutral, water neutral and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste facilities.
LAGFF community partners include the American Cinematheque, Basil P. Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies and Saint Sophia Cathedral. The festival also celebrates its long-standing partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Bellarmine College Department of Classics and Archaeology through the LAGFF–LMU Internship Program, supervised by Prof. Katerina Zacharia and Dean Richard Fox. For the first year, LAGFF collaborates with the Brain Dead Studios.
About LAGFF: The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since its inception, LAGFF has screened over 800 films, hosted more than 700 filmmakers, and reached an audience of over 50,000. For more information, please visit: www.lagff.org
Media Contact: (310) 272-4225
Manos Public Relations – [email protected]
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