The 18th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) returns with an expanded program and over 80 films in competition. Artistic & Festival Director Aristotle Katopodis announced the 2024 Festival lineup of premieres, screenings, events and masterclass (June
1-9), followed by a virtual film program of screenings and industry webinars (June 9 -16). “We’re thrilled and honored to feature some of the most exciting films and filmmakers available today,” explains Katopodis. “Showcasing over 80 films in 9 days, including feature films, short films, documentaries, animation, and retrospectives, illustrates our intent to highlight the breadth and depth of the Greek
Film Industry that continues to surprise us with top awards in all major film festivals and innovative international co-productions.”
Red Carpet Opening Night on June 1 features Sofia Exarchou’s multi-awarded ANIMAL, which also received the Golden Alexander, Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s top prize last fall. Opening Night Reception is generously presented by European Languages & Movies in America (www.ELMA.org) and will be catered by NICK THE GREEK, wines offered by AVRA, liquor and crafted cocktails by DULCE VIDA TEQUILA and EMPRESS GIN, water provided by SMARTWATER, non-alcoholic beverages offered by OPTIMA FOODS. The event will take place at the Harmony Gold Theater in West Hollywood.
Red Carpet Closing Night & Orpheus Awards Celebration on June 9 features MURDERESS based on the classic by Alexandros Papadiamantis. The screening will be preceded by red carpet & appetizers and followed with the Orpheus Awards honoring Greek renowned actress and MURDERESS star Karyofyllia Karabeti. The Closing Night Reception is generously presented by The Kolovos Family and features catering by NICK THE GREEK, wines offered by AVRA, mastiha drinks by KLEOS, liquor and craft cocktails by DULCE VIDA TEQUILA and EMPRESS GIN, water provided by SMARTWATER, non-alcoholic beverages offered by OPTIMA FOODS. The event will take place at Pacific Design Center – Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood.
Now in its 10th edition, the DISCOVERY DAYS story & screenplay lab continues to serve as an industry leader in developing artistic international feature film projects as well as fostering ties between filmmakers from Southern Europe / the Balkans and the Los Angeles community of cinema. Many films that have participated in the lab go on to successful paths, including MEDIUM directed by Christina Ioakeimidi, screening at this year’s LAGFF. Under the leadership of director Araceli Lemos, Discovery Days received a record number of submissions and ultimately selected seven projects. The team includes Joel Garber (Producer), Karina Logothetis (Producer) and Nasos Gatzoulis (Programmer).
Festivities also include the HOLLYWOOD SCENE & BE SEEN BASH, co-produced by Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, Global Greek Film Initiative and The Hellenic Initiative. The event will feature live entertainment by Greek American singer Angelina Alexon on June 6 on the rooftop of The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, which is also one of LAGFF 2024 sponsors.
Key Dates
• June 1 – Red Carpet Opening Night with Sofia Exarchou’s multi-awarded ANIMAL.
Reception presented by ELMA. Harmony Gold Theater, 7655 W. Sunset Blvd.
• June 2 to 8 – In Person Screenings & Events, Regal LA Live, 1000 W Olympic Blvd DTLA. Validated parking in structure behind the theater.
• June 2 – Cinematography Masterclass with emerging Greek Director of Photography and GGFI-LAGFF Dignitary Akis Konstantakopoulos. Regal LA Live at 2PM following the film Light Falls where Akis was the DP.
• June 4 – Cinematic Tribute to Cyprus in partnership with Honorary Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation and Saint Sophia Cathedral at Saint Sophia Huffington Center.
• June 5-9 – Discovery Days Screenplay & Pitch Lab, final presentations audit on June 9. Regal LA Live (Gold/Platinum Pass holders only).
• June 6 – The Hollywood Scene & Be Seen Bash at the Godfrey Hotel Rooftop at 1400 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood. (Ticketed Event or Platinum Pass holders).
• June 8 – Filmmaker Brunch at the home of Consul General of Greece (Gold/Platinum Pass holder only).
• June 8 – Greek Television Production Roundtable, Regal LA Live at 4 PM.
• June 9 – Red Carpet Closing Night & Orpheus Awards featuring MURDERESS based on the classic by Alexandros Papadiamantis. Pacific Design Center – Silver Screen Theater, 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood.
• June 9-16 – Virtual Screenings & Events on LAGFF platform powered by Eventive.
• June 13 – Distribution Agreements – An informative free webinar with Entertainment lawyer Carol Contes geared toward independent filmmakers (10am, PDT).
LAGFF 2024 Gold & Platinum Passes – https://lagff24.eventive.org/passes/buy
This year, there are two levels of passes which offer all theatrical screenings, all virtual screenings, webinars and workshops, Opening Night; Preferred Seating for Closing Night & Orpheus Awards; Hollywood Scene & Be Seen Bash; Filmmaker Brunch; Presentations from Discovery Days.
Individual tickets may also be purchased at www.lagff.org
LAGFF 2024 Sponsors (Partial List Below) – https://www.lagff.org/support/sponsors/
GPK & Associates (https://www.gpkassociates.com) 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 takes pride in their level of customer service and 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.
Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture (https://www.lacountyarts.org) — 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 of this work is framed by the longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts, and the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative.
European Languages & Movies in America (https://www.elma.org/copy-of-home-1) — The European Languages & Movies in America (ELMA) mission is to create new avenues for better cultural understanding between the people of Europe and the USA by celebrating alternative cinema. Since its inception in 2007, ELMA has supported over 100 events in 30 countries in over 20 languages. ELMA strives to provide more opportunities to view European films by supporting educational and nonprofit venues showing such movies. ELMA supports a wide spectrum of projects, from classic films to the works of emerging talent in order to provide new audiences with an alternative to Hollywood.
The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood (https://www.godfreyhotelhollywood.com) — 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.
Nick the Greek (https://www.nickthegreek.com) — As second-generation restaurateurs, Nick and his two cousins, also named Nick (Big Nick and Little Nick) decided to start their own modern restaurant concept. The Nick the Greek concept was born. It has grown to become an incredibly popular, multi-unit chain and a restaurant franchise opportunity primed for even more growth.
Other donors include: Greek Film Centre (https://gfc.gr), Greek National Tourism Organization (https://www.visitgreece.gr), Ertflix (https://www.ertflix.gr), Elios Charitable Foundation (https://elios.org), UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture (https://hellenic.ucla.edu/about/stavros-niarchos-foundation/), AT&T (https://www.att.com), Dr. Stephen and Dr. Anna Yallourakis, Gibson Dunn (https://www.gibsondunn.com), Theane Evangelis & James Kousoulas, Jim Gianopulos, The Avra Group https://www.theavragroup.com), West Coast Investors (https://www.westcoastinvestors.com), Delphi Greek (https://www.greek.la).
LAGFF is held under the auspices of General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We wish to express our gratitude to Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Prof. John Chrysoulakis, for his continued effort to unite the Hellenes abroad and support all efforts for culture, arts, and issues that Hellenes face away from the homeland.
LAGFF expresses gratitude to Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, for her ardent support and promotion of Hellenism.
About: LAGFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses its attention on bringing films and filmmakers from Greece, Cyprus, and the rest of the world to the United States.
Over the past 17 years, LAGFF has screened over 520 films and hosted over 500 filmmakers supporting their films. For Ticket info and details please visit: https://www.lagff.org
About: Global Greek Film Initiative is strategically designed to establish an array of new annual programs to promote cultural exchange between Greece, the US and the Hellenic Diaspora, service opportunities for employment and economic growth within Greece and be the North American hub and global one-stop collective for Greek film programs and initiatives.
SOURCE; LAGFF
