30th Greek Film Festival Opens with Kapetan Mihalis

The 30th Greek Film Festival, presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), officially opened Tuesday 14 October, astatine the historical Astor Theater, marking a milestone solemnisation of three decades of Greek cinema successful Australia. The sold-out Opening Night Gala featured the almighty epic Kapetan Mihalis, mounting the code for an bonzer day program.

Based connected the classical caller by legendary writer Nikos Kazantzakis, Kapetan Mihalis has been adapted for the large surface for the archetypal time, making its inclusion arsenic the festival’s opening movie a genuinely peculiar event. The movie captivated audiences with its sweeping portrayal of freedom, resilience, and the indomitable tone of Crete, resonating profoundly with the festival’s themes of individuality and heritage.

Guests arrived astatine the humanities Astor Theatre wherever they were welcomed by dancers from the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria performing to the sounds of the Cretan lyra, enjoying meals provided by Phlavour, drinks from Hellenic Wines + Spirits, and commemorative 30th-anniversary tote bags filled with sponsor gifts earlier taking their seats for the highly anticipated screening.

Before the film, guests were welcomed by Dr Jim Bossinakis, Chair of GCM’s Cultural Programs Committee, Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Consul General of Greece successful Melbourne, and Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, who reflected connected the festival’s 30-year bequest and the enduring value of Greek cinema successful Australia.

Dr Jim Bossinakis opened the event:

“As Chair of the Cultural Programs Committee, I americium honored to unfastened the 30th Greek Film Festival and observe 3 decades of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens. This year’s programme features implicit 100 screenings, including 16 caller releases and classics similar Little England, Brides, and A Touch of Spice. We besides big the Australian premiere of Athens Midnight Radio and the satellite premiere of The Kink. The festival’s occurrence is acknowledgment to our dedicated team, partners, sponsors, and audiences who marque this Australia’s largest Greek movie festival.”

Ms Georgantzoglou said:

“It was a large honour to be the opening, with Kapetan Michalis a cinematic masterpiece. Celebrating 30 years, the festival has go a large taste lawsuit for the Greek diaspora, showcasing Greek cinema from the 1990s to today, including works by Pantelis Voulgaris, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Yannis Charalabidis.”

GCM President Bill Papastegiadis OAM added:

“ I americium arrogant to spot the festival unite our assemblage successful celebrating Hellenic civilization 17,000 kilometres from Greece. Events similar this bespeak our values of belonging, generosity, and assemblage spirit, which stay astatine the bosom of each we do, from festivals and theatre to acquisition and charitable programs. Tonight’s screening, with Cretan music, captured that enduring tone of transportation and pride.”

Following the screening, guests were treated to rakomelo and accepted kalitsounia, enjoyed the sounds of the Cretan lyra, arsenic a vibrant gathering brought unneurotic filmmakers, festival guests, and assemblage members successful spirited speech – toasting some the movie and the 30-year bequest of the Festival.

The 30th Greek Film Festival continues until 26 October, with screenings crossed Melbourne astatine Palace Cinema Como, Pentridge Cinema, and Palace Balwyn Cinema. The programme features satellite premieres, documentaries, and in-person Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers.

For afloat programme details and tickets, visit: https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/melbourne/films.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Bank of Sydney, OASIS, PROCAL, Joannides Funerals, Hellenic Wines and Spirits

Festival Partners

Phlavour, Fronditha Care Foundation, Vanilla, Ilaria Osteria, Arthur G, Proslab Dental Laboratory Melbourne, GFS | Gavos Freight Solutions, Epsa, AHEPA VICTORIA, Trak Realty, PRONIA, The Leather Lounge Depot, Thematikos, Sue Sensi, SKY EXPRESS, Carroten, Themida Legal, National Bank of Greece Melbourne Representative Office

Media Partners

ANT1 PACIFIC, NEOS KOSMOS, THE GREEK HERALD, TA NEA I 3XY, RYTHMOS, SBS GREEK, PAROIKIAKI TILEORASI, Greek City Times, 3ZZZ

Corporate Partners

Victoria State Government, Australian Government, AA Holdings, ACE Body Corporate Management, Windsor Management Insurance Brokers, Moray & Agnew Lawyers, ITHEA, Accountancy Group