Spotlight on Features | Ben & Jerry's joins LAGFF

Thursday, May 22, 2012

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SPOTLIGHT ON 2012 LAGFF FICTION FEATURES
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.

APARTMENT IN ATHENS (Appartamento ad Atene)

Saturday, June 2, 12:00 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Italy, 2011, 95 min, LA Premiere

Director/Producer: Ruggero Dipaola
Writers: Heidrun Schleef, Ruggero Dipaola, Luca De Benedittis

Cast: Laura Morante, Richard Sammel, Gerasimos Skiadaresis
[TRAILER]

Set against a backdrop of the German occupation of Greece in 1943, this drama introduces us to an Athenian family, whose life undergoes a profound change when their apartment is commandeered by an exacting German officer with an inscrutable attitude.

Winner of four awards at the 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival

Community Collaborators: ITALIANS IN FILM

RIDERS OF PYLOS (Oi Ippeis tis Pylou)

Saturday, June 2 - 7:30 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2011, 92 min, US Premiere
Director/Writer: Nikos Kalogeropoulos
Producers: Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Marina Konstantakopoulos
Cast: Nikos Kalogeropoulos, Ioulia Kalogridi, Ilias Logothetis

A middle-aged, poverty stricken actor flees Athens to escape his creditors and travels to the heart of historic Messinia, finding refuge in Polypylon, a decrepit castle. While exploring the wild countryside, he meets Democracy, and becomes desperate to win her heart.

SUPER DEMETRIOS

Saturday, June 2 - 5:15 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2011, 109 min, US Premiere
Director: Georgios Papaioannou
Writers: Alexandros Stogiannis, Spiros Papanaoum, Dimitris Papavasiliou, Georgios Papaioannou, Argiris Pouggouras, Babis Papapostolou, Dimitris Vainas
Producers: Georgios Papaioannou, Dimitris Papavasiliou

Cast: Dimitris Vainas, Paris Papadopoulos, Olga Sfetsa
[TRAILER]

Posing as a journalist for the Golden Jerusalem magazine, Thessaloniki's very own superhero - Super Demetrios - is the only person that can save the city from its worst nightmare: Captain F.ROM.

THREE DAYS OF HAPPINESS (Tris Meres Eftihias)

Saturday, June 2 - 5:30 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2011, 80 min, US Premiere
Director/Writer/Producer: Dimitri Athanitis

Cast: Nikolitsa Drizi, Alexandra Aidini, Katerina Fotiadi
[TRAILER]

A Russian immigrant who sells her body hoping to collect money to leave Greece, a university student who struggles to overcome personal tragedy, and a woman doubting her decision to get married, crisscross paths while pursuing happiness.

TUNGSTEN

Friday, June 1 - 8:30 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2011, 98 min, LA Premiere
Director/Writer: Giorgos Georgopoulos
Producers: Giorgos Georgopoulos, Kostas Georgopoulos

Cast: Vangelis Mourikis, Tasos Nousias, Omiros Poulakis
[TRAILER]

The stories of three men living in crisis-ridden Athens unfold within the timeframe of a single day, revealing a world in havoc, where victims become villains and vice versa.

Presented by

TINA AND GEORGE KOLOVOS, G.P. KOLOVOS & ASSOCIATES

UNFAIR WORLD

Saturday, June 2 - 8:30 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2010, 94 min, LA Premiere
Director: Filippos Tsitos
Writers: Filippos Tsitos, Dora Masklavanou
Producer: Alexandra Boussiou
Cast: Andonis Kafetzoplouos, Theodora Tzimou, Christos Stergioglou

It all begins with a disenchanted policeman's decision to follow his own sense of justice. A series of unlikely events, fluctuating from tragedy to comedy, culminate in an equally surprising outcome.

Winner of four major 2012 Hellenic Film Academy Awards, including Best Fiction Feature, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, and is this year's official Greek Oscar entry.

WASTED YOUTH

Saturday, June 2 - 2:45 pm | Linwood Dunn Theater

Greece, 2011, 94 min, US Premiere
Co-Directors: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Jan Vogel
Writers: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Jan Vogel
Producers: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, George Karnavas
Cast: Harris Markou, Ieronimos Kaletsanos, Arthouros Kiviliov

Summer heat blasts Athens. A teenage skateboarder sets out for an aimless day with his friends. A middle-aged policeman struggles to make ends meet. A simple twist of fate disrupts the course of their actions.

Presented by WEST COAST INVESTORS

BEN & JERRY'S - 2012 SILVER PATRON SPONSOR
Los Angeles Greek Film Festival welcomes 2012 Silver Patron, Ben & Jerry's, the official dessert sponsor of Opening Night.

Ben & Jerry's will unveil its new line of "greekin" good Greek Frozen Yogurt flavors - Strawberry Shortcake, Raspberry Fudge Chunk, Banana Peanut Butter and Blueberry Vanilla Graham - at the opening night world premiere of A GREEN STORY, during the evening's dinner reception Under the Stars at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

While Ben & Jerry's new Greek Frozen Yogurt flavors don't own a proverbial tux, per se, as a values-led, socially-minded business, the company will be at LAGFF's opening night film, A GREEN STORY, to recognize and applaud a life chronicle that resonates with Ben & Jerry's mission and values. For over 34 years Ben & Jerry's has operated on the idea of linked prosperity: that everyone who the company interacts with - suppliers, employees, farmers, franchisees, customers, and neighbors alike - are all affected by the brand, and thus, as the company prospers, so should its employees and the community. Of course, they dish out some pretty great ice cream too. Be sure to check out Ben & Jerry's refreshing and fruity Greek Frozen Yogurt concoctions.

For more information on Ben & Jerry's new Greek Frozen Yogurt or the company's mission, visit www.benjerry.com.

RSVP TO LAGFF ON FACEBOOK
Are you attending the 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival? If so, please RSVP on our Facebook Events Listing to each event and/or screening that you are attending, then share that event with your Facebook friends. We'll see you at the movies!

MEET LAGFF EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - ALEX KALOGNOMOS

Alex Kalognomos has been producing LAGFF since 2009. Event production has always been a big part of Alex's life, ever since his youth when he'd help his mother, Medea, stage annual culture conferences for school districts in Southern California. Those events, coupled with his theatrical background, led him to pursue entertainment and event production professionally. Alex also organizes Arpa International Film Festival and, since 2008, has served on the Sequoia Productions team, staging such events as Australia Week and the Governors Balls for the Oscars® and Emmys®.

"My Greek and Armenian ancestors left their homelands in the 1600s and I feel LAGFF has connected me to my roots in a pertinent way - through the arts. I've met many wonderful and creative professionals at the Festival, as well as artists working in the independent film world," Alex says. "Despite the obstacles Greece and the US face, our team - each and every single person - works tirelessly to produce an enriching event. By promoting the ideals of Hellenic culture and bolstering the uniqueness of current Greek cinema, LAGFF is in the position to sharply influence Hollywood. What we do now helps develop future generations of filmmakers. We are committed to them and welcome them to LAGFF."

ALL-ACCESS, OVER 25 FILMS & SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDING THE ORPHEUS AWARDS

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

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, Consul General of Greece, and much more!

To reserve your GOLD PASS, click here.

VENUES, TICKETS AND PARKING

Egyptian Theatre 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Thursday, May 31 - Opening Night Venue, A GREEN STORY
Saturday, June 2 - 5:30 and 7:30 Screenings
Parking located behind theater - $10

Linwood Dunn 1313 North Vine St., Hollywood 90028

Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3

Complimentary parking located behind theater

TICKETS
LAGFF strongly encourages the advance reservation of tickets, as events will sell out. General screenings: $12 online / $15 at the door. | Special events: $20 to $75 online
ALL-ACCESS VIP GOLD PASS - $200 online.

View a Day-By-Day schedule, or look up films alphabetically in the Festival's full lineup. An at-a-glance schedule of the entire festival is available here. For questions about tickets, venues, and special events, contact Box Office Coordinator, contact annetta@lagreekfilmfestival.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS - MASTER CLASS, INDUSTRY PANEL, TRIBUTE TO ANGELOPOULOS!

This year, LAGFF will present three special events designed to offer entertainment professionals a means to enrich their careers. Writers, actors, and filmmakers are encouraged to take advantage of these industry and networking events. All three events, festival screenings and receptions are included in the GOLD PASS.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 - MASTER CLASS FOR FILM WRITERS

In one afternoon, Michael Economou will present an intense, structured overview of the Masters Course he teaches at the USC School of Cinema, geared toward film writers. Economou is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the Writers Guild, Producers Guild, and Film Editors Guild. He has won an Emmy and was nominated for an Oscar, among other recognitions. Spacing is limited. To reserve your seat at this exclusive LAGFF event, please click here.

$20 online / $24 at the door

SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - INDUSTRY PANEL: REPRESENTATION IN HOLLYWOOD

What are the odds of foreign filmmakers and their films gaining representation? What are some qualities agents seek in a filmmaker, film or literary piece of work? How can a foreign filmmaker get through the door of an agency? These questions and more will be raised and answered by experts at the Industry Panel: Representation in Hollywood, to take place Saturday, June 2, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater. The last 20 minutes of the hour will be dedicated to an open discussion with the audience, to be followed by a Networking Brunch.
$20 online / $24 at the door. To reserve tickets, click here.

Angeliki Giannakopoulos (moderator) LAGFF Co-Founder and award-winning filmmaker

Mike Esola Agent at William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Kevin Iwashina Managing Partner of Preferred Content

Alexia Melocchi Producer and Co-owner, Little Studio Films

Steve Muller Innovative Artists

PRESENTED BY PABST BREWING COMPANY AND THE METROPOULOS FAMILY

SUNDAY, JUNE 3 - THEO ANGELOPOULOS TRIBUTE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This free, two-part tribute will include a presentation by Frederick Linch (ASU film instructor) and a panel discussion with friends and collaborators of Theo Angelopoulos. Film clips will be included in a presentation of the famed filmmaker's unique visual and musical style, his concept of time, and story-telling world.
This event is free and open to the public, but tickets must be reserved in advance. To reserve your ticket, click here.

LAGFF AUCTION IS OPEN - MAKE YOUR BID NOW ON AMAZING 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!

SUPPORT A FILMMAKER CAMPAIGN

LAGFF wishes to acknowledge the kind support of the following people who have made contributions to our "Support a Filmmaker" campaign: Ritsa Panagis, Fay Lellios, and Daphne Lambrinou.

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. If you would like to help a filmmaker, please consider making a small tax-deductible contribution to 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!

Contact Eleni Arvaniti at eleni@lagreekfilmfestival.org for more details or to discuss how you may be able to help.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2012 LAGFF VOLUNTEER TEAM!