Greek-American film director director, Penelope Spheeris, will be honoured at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival next month.

The special celebration of Spheeris aims to blend her professional landscape of documentary with her independent fiction filmmaking.

It will open with a special screening of her 1998 documentary short No Use Walkin’ When You Can Stroll followed by her 1980s cult classic feature Suburbia.

A panel discussion will ensue, featuring Spheeris herself among film peers Ross Albert, Christina Beck and Bert Dragin.

Having begun her career with a love of music, Spheeris’ career kicked of in 1974 when she formed her own production company specialising in producing music videos.

After producing, directing and editing videos for a number of big name bands throughout the 1970s and 80s, Spheeris went on to direct the 1979 punk rock documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, which focused on the Los Angeles’ punk scene.

After unanimous praise for this work, Spheeris proceeded to write and direct her first narrative film, Suburbia.

This was a drama piece that revolved around the lives of a group of punk kids who abandoned their homes to escape abusive environments.

No Use Walkin’ When You Can Stroll is another picture that is an honest short portrait of Spheeris’ mother, shedding light on the director’s unusual and turbulent childhood.

The running theme evident in most of her work is of desolate youth.

Her feature films include The Boys Next Door (1984) starring Charlie Sheen, and Dudes (1987) with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ bass guitarist Flea.

Spheeris’ sequel to her 1979 punk rock documentary was released in 1988 and titled The Decline of Western Civilization Part II : The Metal Years. The picture featured commentary from Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

This project then opened up more directing doors including her first studio film Wayne’s World.

The Beverly Hillbillies came next as did a number of others including The Little Rascals in 1994.

Spheeris is currently working on developing John Lydon’s best selling biography ROTTEN: No Irish, No Black, No Dogs.

Visit www.lagff.com for more details on this year’s festival and more honorary Greek guests.