Patricia Kara to Host Closing Night & Awards at LA Greek Film Festival

LAGFF Closing Night, including the star-studded Orpheus Awards ceremony, will once again be hosted by “Deal or No Deal’s” Patricia Kara. The night promises

to be a gala event that you won’t want to miss. Academy Award-winner Alexander Payne (SIDEWAYS) will present the Career Achievement award to filmmaker Phedon Papamichael. Papamichael has been the cinematographer on an impressive list of entertainment media ranging from the TV mini-series “Wild Palms” to the cinematic features PHENOMENON, PATCH ADAMS, THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL, MOONLIGHT MILE, SIDEWAYS, THE WEATHER MAN, WALK THE LINE, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, 3:10 TO YUMA, the upcoming KNIGHT AND DAY with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz and is currently in production on THE DESCENDANTS with George Clooney.

Joining them on the red carpet will be such luminaries as John Aniston, Alexandra Cassavetes, Costas Mandylor, George Chakiris, Seymour Cassell, Gena Rowlands, Demetri Martin, Andrew Panay, Ariana Savalas, Angelo Tsarouchas, Alexia Vassilou and many more…

The Awards will be followed by the festival’s closing night film, Plato’s Academy, a poignant often funny look at attitudes toward immigration. We cap the evening off with a dinner reception under the stars in the courtyard of the legendary Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Hollywood.

Plus – Free Screenings

LAGFF and the American Hellenic Council are pleased to announce several free screenings at this year’s festival. RSVP is still required, click here to get your free tickets.

LABOUR OF LOVE
Director: Pol Sklavos

Greece 2007: Wildfires rage across the country leaving behind a smoldering countryside and lasting emotional scars. The Mayor of Kalivia sets aside petty politics and begins to reclaim the land inspiring Greeks the world over one tree at a time. The Greek community of Los Angeles raised $50,000, which went directly to the project.

WORDS OF RESISTANCE (Logos Kai Antistasi)
Director/Producer: Timon Koulmasis

An intelligent look at the Greek men and women who were forced into self-exile at the time of dictatorship (1967-1974), and who took it upon themselves to publicly express their ideas of justice through a daily radio program broadcast by the German Deutsche Welle. The filmmaker questions the power of politically engaged speech and redefines its necessity today.

PLUNDER FROM A BLEEDING LAND
(Leilatontas mia Matomeni Hora)
Director: Takis Papayiannidis

Thirty-five years after the Turkish invasion in 1974, a Greek archaeologist visits Cyprus and is faced with the cultural ravages and looting in the island’s occupied territory. For the first time in these years, there is a joint effort by Greek and Turkish scientists to restore the disasters and preserve the rich heritage of Cyprus.