Greece on the International Film Stage

The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival will present Beyond Borders: Greece on the International Film Stage, a special panel discussion sponsored by Greece’s Ministry of Tourism on Saturday, June 27, at the Linwood Dunn Theater. Greece’s Minister of Tourism Kostas Markopoulos will attend the event as guest of honor. Panelists include actor Nia Vardalos (MY LIFE IN RUINS), President of Fox International Productions Sanford Panitch, cinematographer/director, Phedon Papamichael (ARCADIA LOST), Director of the Hellenic Film Commission Markos Holevas, Top Cut Founder Stamatis Athanassoulas, to be moderated by producer Terry Dougas (BRIDES).

The panel will discuss recent productions in Greece and how the Greek culture and new infrastructure aided in the telling of their stories. In addition, advantages, challenges as well as future possibilities of foreign film production will be expanded on. “With the recent success of MAMMA MIA! and the soon-to-be-released MY LIFE IN RUINS, starring Nia Vardalos, the Greek culture is making its way to the mainstream through the art of filmmaking,” said Angeliki Giannakopoulos, Festival Co-Founder and Director. “Greece is experiencing a rise in tourism this summer which is being attributed to the success of last summer’s hit MAMMA MIA! Audiences enjoy seeing the images of Greece and the unique personality of the Greek people. The LA Greek Film Festival is delighted to encourage more productions there.” MY LIFE IN RUINS director Donald Petrie adds, “Greece was an amazing place to shoot a film from the breathtaking locations, to the warm and welcoming attitude of both the Greek government, and the people.”

Over the years, Greece has attracted the interest of various international producers who have taken advantage of the country’s old culture, unique light and beautiful landscape. See the Greek reporter’s list of movies filmed in Greece. Greece is an integral part of the European Union and has a visual wealth of natural landscapes in regions like Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly , the Greek mainland, the Peloponnese , Crete and the picturesque islands in the Aegean and the Ionian seas. Many of these locations are blessed with historical monuments and traditional architecture. There are no large studios in Greece, but the country now offers a modern infrastructure for handling international film productions, experienced crews and service companies.

Panelists include Nia Vardalos (writer/actor), who made filmmaking history with the success of her independent film MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002). The movie was nominated for an Academy Award® for best original screenplay. Vardalos’ other credits include the television series My Big Fat Greek Life, CONNIE AND CARLA (2004) and the recent release MY LIFE IN RUINS, which was partly filmed in archaeological sites in Greece. Sanford Panitch is currently the President of Fox International Productions, a division of 20th Century Fox that produces and acquires local language films all over the world with strategic focus on markets with rapidly expanding local market share. He previously served as the President of Filmed Entertainment for New Regency Enterprises. He has supervised over 75 feature films such as JUMPER, DAREDEVIL, and the highest grossing movie in New Regency’s history MR. AND MRS. SMITH. Prior, Mr. Panitch was Executive Vice President of Production at 20th Century Fox where he worked on the highest grossing movie of all time TITANIC. Phedon Papamichael is a top Hollywood cinematographer and director. He has worked with directors such as Oliver Stone, Wim Wenders, Jon Turteltaub, Alexander Payne, Nick Cassavetes, and Diane Keaton. Some of his cinematography credits include W. (2008), 3:10 TO YUMA (2007), THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (2006), WALK THE LINE (2005), THE WEATHER MAN (2005), SIDEWAYS (2005), IDENTITY (2003), MOONLIGHT MILE (2002), PATCH ADAMS (1998), MOUSEHUNT (1997), PHENOMENON (1996), and UNSTRUNG HEROES (1995). Papamichael recently completed his fourth feature as a director, ARCADIA LOST (2009), starring Haley Bennett, Nick Nolte and Carter Jenkins, which was filmed entirely in Greece.

From Greece, the panel includes Markos Holevas, a film director and scholar, is the Director of the Hellenic Film Commission Office and a Special Advisor to the Greek Film Centre; Stamatis Athanassoulas, founder of one of Greece’s leading production companies Top Cut, is a producer for feature films, documentaries and TV commercials. He is the Vice President of PACT (Producers’ Association for Cinema and TV). His latest credits include ARCADIA LOST (2008) HIP HOP RHYTHMS & RHYMES (2008) and KINETTA (2006).

The panel discussion will be moderated by producer Terry Dougas, who has made films in both Greece and the US. His credits, as producer and executive producer, include BRIDES (2004), the recently completed THE BOX and THE INVENTION OF LYING, VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE (2009) and SWING VOTE (2008).

Beyond Borders: Greece on the International Film Stage will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2009, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Linwood Dunn Theater located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood.

More at LAGreekFilmFestival.org