The 6th Byzanfest International Orthodox Film Festival is currently streaming with five Greek-themed films available to watch for free until 18 December.

The festival, dedicated to Orthodox Christians showcases films which reflect religious themes, beliefs, culture and values.

However, an entry’s storyline does not necessarily have to be “religious” or have an “Orthodox” subject-matter, it can still be deemed Orthodox because it was created by an Orthodox Christian filmmaker who maintained an Orthodox phronema (“mindset”) during the creative process, remaining faithful to their Christian sense of dignity, morality and self-respect.

The Greek films streaming at Byzanfest 2022:

BLESSINGS AND VOWS

The Greece-filmed doco follows an octogenarian villager, Mrs. Metaxia Anaplioti, kept her vow for 49 years, lighting a candle daily at the 11th century Byzantine church of Hagioi Theodoroi in Vamvaka, Mani, in Southern Greece.

Winner of Best Short Film, Best Director and Best Short-Documentary

Director: Katerina Zacharia

ZEIBEKIKO IN BEIRUT

On 4th August 2020 an apocalyptic explosion ripped Beirut apart. This explosion had a catastrophic effect on the small Greek minority that stills lives around the area. The documentary, filmed in Lebanon compares the state of Beirut to the Greek Zeibekiko dance.

Nominated for Best Documentary

Director: George Eid

HIDDEN VOICE

A woman is walking by the sea. She wants to connect with the environment, feel the sun, breath the fresh air, when suddenly a strange sound disturbs her calm. The sound source is indefinite. The woman approaches the sea and the sound gets louder. The sound invites her. An experimental movie filmed in Greece.

Nominated for Best Short Film and Best Director

Director: Ifigenia Dimitriou

SEEKING FOR AGOUSA

A Greece-made film about Hippocrates, returning to the “Motherland”, seeking the “Sacred”, displaying the metamorphosis in daily encounters.

Nominated for Best Director and Best Documentary

Director: Tony Oikonomou

LOUIE (KR.ONE) GASPARRO 5POINTZ

A USA short documentary featuring Louie (KR.ONE) Gasparro and when his love for graffiti was rekindled at the legendary 5Pointz graffiti mecca in Long Island City, New York. Louie reminisces about what 5Pointz means to him and to the wider graffiti art world.

Nominated for Best Documentary

Director: Eirini Alligiannis