The 29th edition of the Greek Film Festival is proving as strong as ever as it premiered to another strong crowd with hundreds turning out for the opening night premiere of Thodoris Niarchos’ comedy “Hear Who’s Talking”.
The event delivered another strong opening on Tuesday evening as it continues to live up to its reputation as one of the major cultural assets of NSW’s Hellenic community, packing out numerous theatres at Palace Cinemas Norton Street in Leichhardt.
Nia Karteris, Chair of the Greek Film Festival of Sydney, remarked on her pleasure in seeing a wide range of patrons of all ages in attendance, which she considered one of her favourite sights in the over 20 years she has been involved with the event.
“I think this is the pinnacle for me because looking out at this room and seeing so many young people, it just goes to show that the film industry is growing,” Karteris told Neos Kosmos.
“It is evident that the Greek film industry is still admired, and the young people want to be seen around the Greek Film Festival, supporting it and supporting Hellenic culture in general.”
She stated that the interest being shown from the wider community gives herself and the organisers the drive to continue hosting the Film Festival.
“Every day is a hard day, sourcing funding, sourcing the films, but I think every year we manage to pull an amazing program that would make second and third generation Greek Australians proud of their Hellenic heritage. That is what is really important to me.,” she said.
Karteris admitted that, while she personally loved the idea of opening with the premier picture of this year’s program “Murderess”, the decision to showcase “Hear Who’s Talking” first fit the tone of the opening night very well.
“I think any Film Festival needs to start with a comedy…People come to have fun, to enjoy, to drink, to be merry, to eat and have a bit of comedy, and leave the opening of the Film Festival uplifted and I think that is what this film will do,” she said.
Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, expressed in his message prior to the screening the organisation’s “great pleasure in presenting over the next couple of weeks some of the best current films that we have been able to source from Greece”.
He spoke warmly of the program, particularly noting “Murderess” (which is Greece’s entry for the 2025 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category) as a must-see for all.
Ioannis Mallikourtis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, expressed the significance of the event as helping Greek Australians maintain a connection to Greece, while also keeping them up to date with the current climate of the homeland.
“I think that Greek films are a mirror of Greek society. That is why it is very important for Greek Australians to able to see these films and I think the Greek Community is doing a good job in showcasing a large variety of these films,” Mallikourtis said in his speech.
“Sometimes we have a rather stereotypical impression of what Greek culture is, especially when we are far away, which can be almost touristical…the Film Festival is very good at showing that we are much more than the stereotype.”
Karteris stressed that the opening night is just the beginning of a large selection of pictures to be shown up until 27 October, all of which they are extremely excited to share with Australian audiences.
“It was hard, we had to go through over 150 films. I did have to see every single one of them, but I think the final decision of the films we have chosen will make everyone proud and proud of their heritage,” the Greek Film Festival Chair said.
“There are films about specific regions which is really important, the history of Greece and we finish with the Student Film Festival which is also really important to us.”
She highlighted her belief that the Student Film Festival is a creative and pivotal method of keeping the language alive for younger children, affording them an opportunity to make Greek films with the directions of Greek-background filmmakers here in Australia.
“It is a great way to connect with the Greek language, to enjoy it through film, music and dance and not just in a classroom,” Karteris said.
More photos below:
