Jury Announced & Spotlight on Shorts

Thursday, May 9, 2012

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PRESTIGIOUS JURY ASSEMBLED FOR LAGFF 2012
This year's Orpheus Award winners will be selected among a field of twenty-two feature and short narrative and documentary films aimed at "Defeating the Crisis Through The Viewfinder." The exclusive awards party at the home of Greek Consul General, Elisabeth Fotiadou, will include a live performance by singer/songwriter Vassy.

Named for the legendary Greek poet and "father of songs", the Orpheus Award is LAGFF's annual prize intended to honor the best in Greek and Greek inspired cinema, and for the 2012 fest May 31-June 3, the most prestigious jury in LAGFF's history is convening to choose the winners. "Since the Festival's inception in 2007 the awards night has become an integral event serving to highlight the art and artists who are changing the way we think about film," said LAGFF Co-Founder/Artistic Director Ersi Danou. "We are honored to have such an esteemed group of filmmaking professionals judge this year's lineup... (click here to continue reading).

GOLD PASS - $200 ONLINE NOW

A limited number of GOLD PASSES are available until the festival begins.

Valued at over $240, the all-access GOLD PASS includes all films, Opening Night, a master class for screenwriters, an industry panel on Hollywood representation, a tribute to Theo Angelopoulos, the exclusive Closing Night Orpheus Awards and reception at the home of Elisabeth Fotiadou, the Consul General of Greece, and much more!

For more information or to reserve your GOLD PASS, click here.

SPOTLIGHT ON SHORT FILMS

The people of Greece are the first to experience an unprecedented crisis that is affecting not only their country but also Europe, the US, and the world. A new generation of filmmakers has begun to question the current state of things, as well as to express an urge to evolve as artists and human beings. These filmmakers, who make films out of nothing, powered by their passion to share their stories, exemplify the themes of LAGFF's sixth edition: Defeating the Crisis Through the Viewfinder.

All films include English subtitles, except (*) indicates English original language.

ABARIZA
Greece, 2011, 18 min, US Premiere
Director/Producer: Elena Dimitrakopoulou
Writer: Effi Gavrilou
Cast: Kostas Voutsas, Nicol Kokkinou

An elderly couple plan their grand escape from a senior home.

Saturday, June 2, 5:15 p.m.

CASUS BELLI
Greece, 2010, 11 min
Director/Writer: Yorgos Zois
Producer: Maria Drandaki
Cast: Marisha Triantafyllidou, Tzeni Theona, Iris Ponkena

Urban life is seen through the lonesome journey of a loaded shopping cart.

Friday, June 1, 5:45 p.m.

DAD, LENIN AND FREDDY (O Babas Mou, o Lenin, kai o Freddy)
Greece, 2011, 20 min, US Premiere
Director/Writer: Rinio Dragasaki
Producer: Elina Psikou
Cast: Avra Vordonaraki, Giannis Tsortekis

During the 80's, in Athens, a nine year old girl gradually loses touch with her workaholic communist father.

Friday, June 1, 5:45 p.m.

FACE DOWN (Pistoma)
Greece, 2011, 19 min, LA Premiere
Director/Writer/Producer: Yiorgos Fourtounis
Cast :Giorgos Symeonidis, Eleni Vergeti

In a dog-eat-dog world, there is no place for affection.

Saturday, June 2, 12:00 p.m.

F-K *
USA, 2010, 8 min
Director: R.E. Rodgers
Producer: Taso Mouhteros
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Christopher Meloni, Bob Balaban, Mariska Hargitay, Bobby Cannavale

These people will do anything to find 'the location'.

Saturday, June 2, 8:30 p.m.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Greece, 2011, 16 min, US Premiere (Animated)
Director: Panagiotis Rappas
Producers: Panagiotis Rappas, Dimitris Papadimitriou

In a mountain forest of Japan, an elderly woodcutter stumbles upon the fountain of youth.

Sunday, June 3, 5:30 p.m.

INTERSECTION *
USA, 2011, 7 min, World Premiere
Director: Yeesum Lo
Writer/Producer: Dorothea Paschalidou
Cast: Justin Stafford, Kyle Goleman

A father and son walk different paths, but life brings them back together.

Saturday, June 2, 5:30 p.m.

JUST A PERFECT DAY
Greece, 2011, 6 min, US Premiere
Director: Evris Papanikolas
Writers: Evris Papanikolas, Nikos Nikolopoulos
Producers: Angelo Venetis, Takis Nikolakopoulos
Cast: Kora Karvouni, Chrisa Kornazidi

On this serene day, the world goes awry.

Saturday, June 2, 2:45 p.m.

THE PALACE
Cyprus/Australia, 2011, 15 min
Director/Writer: Anthony Maras
Producers: Anthony Maras, Kate Croser, Andros Achilleas
Cast: Daphne Alexander, Erol Afsin, Kevork Malikyan

Cyprus 1974: A conscript soldier comes face to face with a family in hiding and must confront the brutal reality of war and his role in it.

Friday, June 1, 8:30 p.m.

SACRED WHISPERS *
US/Greece, 2010, 20 min, World Premiere
Director/Writer: Constantinos Isaias
Producers: Constantinos Isaias, Justin Johanson, Alexia Vassiliou
Cast: David Hardie, Alexia Vassiliou

Suppressed by his religious mother, a young man strives for salvation from his demons in a racist 1940s society.

Saturday, June 2, 7:30 p.m.

SUN DON'T SHINE FOR US *
USA, 2012, 18 min, LA Premiere
Co-Directors: Pete Stamatelatos, Scott Ackerlund
Writer: Pete Stamatelatos
Producers: Pete Stamatelatos, Scott Ackerlund, Joey Allen
Cast: Anna Giannotis, Pete Stamatelatos, George Christopoulos

A Greek immigrant mother's hopes and dreams for her family collapse when her son enters the world of drug addiction.

Sunday, June 3, 3:30 p.m.

LAGFF AUCTION OFFERS DREAM GETAWAYS
This year's LAGFF auction is officially underway!

A cornerstone of LAGFF's annual fundraising efforts, the auction offers something for everyone. Travelers can seize the opportunity to plan adventures in Greece and beyond.

This year's auction includes stays at Avaton Resort and Katikies Luxury Hotel, both in Santorini.

For vacation seekers who like to stay local, the auction also offers a Palm Springs Weekend Getaway - and more items will be offered for bidding every week.

Consider taking advantage of these fabulous auction items and support LAGFF!

HOST A GREEK FILMMAKER

The economic crisis in Greece has significantly limited the likelihood of filmmakers making the trip to Hollywood to share their work with us in person. The cost of travel to Los Angeles, accommodations for 5 days, and expenses can be very expensive. Do you, would you, could you help a filmmaker come to LAGFF? Do you have a spare room available? Do you live within 10 miles of Hollywood? Would you consider extending your hospitality to a filmmaker for 5 days? Could you imagine what a great opportunity it would be to meet and host a filmmaker in your home?

If you would be interested in hosting a filmmaker, please contact Eleni Arvaniti at eleni@lagreekfilmfestival.org for more details or to discuss how you may be able to help.

PLEASE DONATE
If you are unable to offer your home, but would like to help a filmmaker, please consider making a small tax-deductible contribution to our Host a Greek Filmmaker program. Every dollar raised will be distributed to our incoming filmmakers to help them offset their expenses for their trip to Hollywood while attending LAGFF.

Please visit our donation page and enter any amount you would like to contribute. It's that easy. Your contribution will help, as no amount is too small. Even $5 is great - it's a cup of coffee!

GLYKERIA - LIVE IN LOS ANGELES

VT Entertainment and Goodtime Events presents Glykeria, the voice of Greece, in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19. Glykeria will share the stage with George Lianos and special guest Margarita.

For tickets, click here or call (818) 265-0506.

LA Greek Film Festival welcomes Glykeria to Los Angeles and wishes her continued success on the world stage.

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