The New York Greek Film Expo is Set to Begin

The Hellenic Film Society USA is launching the New York Greek Film Expo 2021 this weekend. The organization announced its complete lineup of feature length films and shorts on Thursday in advance of the festival’s opening night this Friday. The festival runs from October 1-10.

The screenings will take place at the Directors Guild Theater in Manhattan and the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. Astoria is perhaps the largest enclave in the city for Greeks and Greek Americans, and the Museum of the Moving Image is one of the most respected and prestigious film venues across the five boroughs.

Film-goers must be vaccinated in order to attend screenings at either site. Both sites will also follow New York safety protocols, which means that masks may probably be required indoors as well.

The festival will be premiering new works as well as showing award winning pieces, and constitutes the Expo’s first return back to theaters since the pandemic.

Here is a list of the festival’s feature film lineup along with venues and screening dates, with descriptions courtesy of the Hellenic Film Society:

New York Greek Film Expo 2021 Feature Film Lineup

THE AUDIENCE, written and directed by Mariano Pensotti. U.S. premiere

Friday, October 1 at 9:20pm — Directors Guild Theater

This strikingly original film follows the stories of 11 audience members attending a play in Athens. Their personal stories reveal the transformative power of theater. Mature audiences only.

DIGGER, written and directed Georgis Grigorakis. New York theatrical premiere

Sunday, October 3 , 6:45pm — Directors Guild Theater

A reclusive farmer battles a giant mining company digging up the forest and threatening his property. But the greatest threat is from the unexpected arrival of his estranged son, who appears to claim the family land. Winner of ten 2021 Hellenic Film Academy Awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Actor.

GREENSEA, directed by Angeliki Antoniou

Saturday, October 2, 7:00pm – DirectorsGuildTheater

Friday, October 8, 7:00pm — Museum of the Moving Image

Anna has lost her memory but hasn’t forgotten how to cook. She gets a job in a working-class seaside taverna, where amid the aromas of old beloved recipes, she struggles to rediscover herself. This film, directed, written, and starring women, is being co-presented by New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT).

IN THE STRANGE PURSUIT OF LAURA DURAND, written and directed by Dimitris Bavellas

Sunday, October 3, 1:30pm — Directors Guild Theater

Ranging from zany to poignant, this comic road movie blends various film genres and a lively 1980s indie rock soundtrack as it tells the story of two down-and-out musicians who embark on a search for a porn star of their youth who mysteriously disappeared several years ago. Winner of seven film festival awards.

THE MAN WITH THE ANSWERS, written and directed by Stelios Kammitsis

Saturday, October 2, 9:20pm — Directors Guild Theater

Following the death of his grandmother, an uptight former Olympic diving champion heads to Germany to visit his estranged mother. En route, he meets a free-spirited German tourist. The mismatched men hit the road where they develop a surprising relationship on their way to self-discovery and reconciliation. Mature audiences only.

MY NAME IS EFTYHIA, directed by Angelos Frantzis

Sunday, October 3, 4:00pm – Directors Guild Theater

Saturday, October 9, 7:00pm — Museum of the Moving Image

This biographical drama tells the story of the indomitable Eftyhia Papagiannopoulou, who escaped the burning of Smyrna and went to Athens where she became the beloved lyricist of Greece. Winner of eight Hellenic Film Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

SENIOR CITIZEN, directed by Marinos Kartikkis

Saturday, October 2, 5:00pm – Directors Guild Theater

Sunday, October 10, 4:00pm – Museum of the Moving Image

A lonely old man spends his nights in the outpatient department of a local hospital. Every morning, he returns home to his cat and his memories. One night he is discovered by a nurse, who tries to learn more about him and gradually, a relationship of trust begins to build between the two. Winner of 10 film festival awards.

TAILOR, directed by Sonia Liza Kenterman

Friday, October 1, 7:00pm — Directors Guild Theater

Saturday, October 9, 4:00pm — Museum of the Moving Image

Changing trends in men’s fashion bring hard times to a master tailor. When the bank threatens to repossess his shop, he hits the road with a tailor shop on wheels. Determined to survive, he manages to reinvent himself while bringing style to the brides of Athens. Winner of two Hellenic Film Academy Awards and three Thessaloniki Film Festival Awards.