The Lichoudaris family production ‘Tomorrow’s Trees’ will come full circle as it prepares for its Victorian premiere in the heart of the Yarraville community the director’s yiayia and pappou called home for over 60 years.
The short film was the vision of Adam Lichoudaris, who incorporated his grandparents and two children to tell a story about the enduring power of legacy and the quiet hope planted in the simple actions that build a life.
The seven-minute short film has been on a great journey in the past year, including receiving an honourable mention at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival, and being accepted into the Canberra Short Film Festival.
The production will now finally hold its Victorian premiere on 29 June in the Red Sands Film Festival, with it to be shown at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville (a favourite of the Lichoudaris family).
“We submitted to the Red Sands Film Festival with great hope. It felt right – not just for the film, but because it would mean Pappou, now 98, could attend the Victorian premiere locally. That possibility means the world to us,” Lichoudaris told Neos Kosmos.
“The Sun Theatre is steeped in history and, fittingly, is part of the very community Yiayia and Pappou called home for over 60 years.”
The screening will be a very powerful moment for the family, especially after the passing of Lichoudaris’ yiayia late last year shortly before the film was screened in Canberra last year.
The director explained that he had the chance to tell both his grandparents about their entry into the Canberra Short Film Festival, calling them immediately after learning they had been shortlisted.
“I immediately picked up the phone and called them. Pappou was the first to hear. He offered his congratulations, but I reminded him that this was our achievement, not just mine,” he said.
“Sweetly, Yiayia asked me if she was going to be famous. I told her, “Yes, we’ll be seeing you onthe screening.
“Something in me felt that the timing would unfold this way – that we would be travelling to Canberra n the silver screen!”. From that time forward, with every visit, Yiayia would ask me how the film was going with growing anticipation each time.”
The director explained that they could sense his yiayia’s health was declining as they got closer to the screening.
“Something in me felt that the timing would unfold this way – that we would be travelling to Canberra not just for a screening, but in her memory – and that’s exactly what happened,” he said.
“We helped with funeral preparations and then decided to make the cathartic road trip to see her again – on the silver screen – with my wife Dani (producer), my son Atticus, and my daughter Audrey.”
He stated the journey to Canberra was a special one, and that viewing the film was “a moment of gratitude, appreciation, honour and heartache all in one”.
The film even went on to earn a commendation under the Spiritus Award for its wisdom and its celebration of the human spirit.
Lichoudaris highlighted that most of the family has yet to see the short film, having decided to play it very safe given that many festivals require premiere status for the pictures they show.
“This screening in Yarraville will be the first time many of them experience the film and that means so much,” the director said.
“It is hard to articulate what that moment will mean, but I know it will be emotional.
He expressed his hope that the film “inspires pride in the incredible people we came from, and also a sense of responsibility – to live with the same selflessness and integrity that Yiayia and Pappou passed on to us”.
“As for Pappou – he is a stoic man, but I think he’s excited and quietly proud. I hope that seeing it with his own eyes, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will be something truly special.”
