Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Announces 2015 Line-up; Honorees

Now in its 9th year, the festival has expanded from four to five days of feature films, documentaries, short films, Q & A’s, forums and fun. Founded by two Greek women – filmmaker Angeliki Giannakopoulos and journalist/HFPA member Ersi Danou, LAGFF is one of the largest Greek Film Festivals in the country boasting a prestigious advisory board that includes Oscar winning writer/director Alexander Payne, Actors Billy Zane, Olympia Dukakis and Nia Vardalos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos and Netflix head of content acquisition Ted Sarandos to name a few.

The festival has become the main conduit for films from Greek and Cypriot natives and descendants and films with a Greek theme to be shown in Los Angeles.The films, many of which are subtitled, range from comedy to drama, animation to thriller and political and cultural exposes. There truly is a film for everyone.

This year’s Fest welcomes a record 35 features, documentaries and short films to the program including three World premieres, 14 US premieres and 10 Los Angeles premieres. Alongside Greece, countries represented in this year’s festival include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Israel, Germany, Qatar, United Kingdom and the United States.

The festival is proud to announce that Pantelis Voulgaris’ award-winning period drama “Little England ” will highlight the red-carpet Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, June 3. The festivities will include a dinner reception and music and dancing under the stars.

Appearing as the Centerpiece Premiere selection is Alexis Alexiou‘s explosive neo-noir film, “Wednesday 04:45 “(TETARTI 04:45). The film will make its West Coast Premiere on Saturday, June 6.

Panos H. Koutras’ wry and emotional road trip and this year’s Hellenic Film Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “Xenia”, will close the five days of screenings, red carpet events, receptions and industry panels at the Closing Night Gala on Sunday, June 7, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Kary Antholis, president, HBO Miniseries and Cinemax Programming for Home Box Office and “Hercules” scribe Evan Spiliotopoulos are this year’s recipients of the Festival’s top honor – the prestigious Honorary Orpheus Award.

LAGFF is also pleased to add three new members to its already impressive roster of Industry Advisors. The 2015 additions to the LAGFF Advisory Board are Writer/Director/Actor Nick Cassavetes, Starz Executive Vice President of Worldwide Distribution Gene George, and Fullscreen Chief Executive Officer and Founder George Strompolos.

For more info and tickets visit the LAGFF website.