Four years ago, I met with Jim Koutsoukos who told me about his – and Ange Arabatzis’ – idea to screen Greek Australian short films. They were in a collective of artists who had already created a plethora of short films, but were at a loose end to find a forum, and an opportunity, to present their work to the world. They decided on Loop Bar in Melbourne, admission was free for the ‘believers’ of Greek Australian short film. At the inaugural event, the filmmakers included Christina Heristanidis, Viron Papadopoulos, John Evagora, Jim Stamatakos, George Goularas, Christos Linou, Bill Mousoulis, Jason Raftopoulos, Madeleine Parry, Christopher and Christine Kezelos, Anna Kannava, Anthony Maras, and Stella Dimadis.
Unbeknownst to them, right there and then the Greek Australian Short Film Festival was born. And even though they were hoping that their festival would be embraced, the moment has finally arrived.
For the first time this year, the 4th Greek Australian Short Film Festival will be presented as part of the Delphi Bank 20th Greek Film Festival and will screen next Thursday. This year, Jim Koutsoukos, Stella Dimadis and Katerina Kotsonis joined with the Greek Film Festival, as part of Antipodes, and secured Napoleon Perdis as a sponsor for best film. The films this year include Joey, by John Evagora, You Know What? I Love You, by Natalie Cunningham, The Maker, by Christopher Kezelos, Best Friend, by Koraly Dimitriadis and Nathan Little, Throw My Luck, by Luka Lesson, Father’s Day, by Jason Raftopoulos, Dave’s Dead, by Alethea Jones, Duke and Wyndsor, by Stella Dimadis and Car Lady & Bike Girl, by Maria Theodorakis. The four judges for best short film include: George Donikian, Maria Mercedes, Emanuel Perdis and Blake Borcich.
One of the trio of organisers of this year’s festival, Stella Dimadi, said the Greek Australian Short Film Festival has the potential of developing into a major cultural event Australia wide.
“The truth is that this show would not be possible if we did not have the support and assistance of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria,” Stella tells Neos Kosmos.
“From the moment we approached the committee, they showed respect and openness to work with our local filmmakers.”
When asked about a thematic link between all the short films in the program, one thing remains certain – all are indicative of how first, second and third generations of Greek Australians see their position in the wider society of Australia.
“Human relationships, class differences and class structures of Australian society are – I would say – the connective thematic link of all movies; apart from the movie You Know What? I Love You in which images of the life of the first generation of Greeks in Australia are evident. In this the filmmaker strives – through their own cultural experience – to understand the position of heroes in Australian society, that is bound with their own Greek culture,” explains Stella.
As it stands, all filmmakers this year are from Victoria, but Stella plans to expand the invitation the following year to filmmakers all over Australia, and also include expatriates around the world.
“Now that we know we can grow the festival – and have the support of the GOCMV – we are preparing to invite talents from across Australia in time,” she says.
Some of the films screened on Thursday have already received international acclaim. Natalie Cunningham’s You Know what? I Love You has already been invited to screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival this year, and also at the Palm Springs International ShortFest and the Down Under Berlin Australian Film Festival.
The 4th Greek Australian Short Film Festival will screen in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday 21 November and in Canberra on Sunday 8 December. For more information visit www.greekfilmfestival.com.au/program/225/4th-greek-australian-short-film…