Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

3rd annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival announces Orpheus Award winners

Presenters Included Nia Vardalos, Jim Gianopulos, Marilu Henner, Mimi Denisi, Keith Morris, Alexis Georgoulis and Stratton Leopold with Host Patricia Kara. Penelope Spheeris and Deputy Ambassador to UN Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras Received Honorary Orpheus Awards.
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 30, 2009 -The 3rd annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) announced its award winners with GUINNESS directed by Alexis Kardaras as the winner of the Orpheus Award for Best Feature. Dimitris Athiridis' T FOR TROUBLE AND THE SELF ADMIRATION SOCIETY was selected as Best Documentary And Nikias Chryssos' THE GRANDFATHER as Best Short Film. Special Jury Commendations were given to Constantina Voulgaris' VALSE SENTIMENTALE in the feature category, Adam Schmedes' CHAMELEON BEACH in the documentary category and Stefan Georgiou's WE CALL HER DAISY in the short film category. The Audience Award went to James Chressanthis' NO SUBTITLES NECESSARY: LASZLO & VILMOS


Patricia Kara of Deal or No Deal presided at the Closing Night Ceremony. Alexis Kardaras' GUINNESS closed this year's film festival. A young gambler, who is searching for a case of gold, comes upon an isolated tavern in the Greek mountains. The owner's unhappy wife complicates his plan and perpetuates his spell of misfortune. Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks presented an Honorary Orpheus Award to Penelope Spheeris. Greece's popular stage actress and playwright Mimi Denisi presented an Honorary Award to Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras accepted by his wife Margarita Mavromichali. Nia Vardalos, Jim Gianopulos, Marilu Henner, Alexis Georgoulis and Stratton Leopold also presented awards.


The opening remarks from Co-Founders and Directors Angeliki Giannakopoulos and Ersi Danou, and Greek Festival Representative Avra Georgiou kicked off the evening's festivities. The third year festival enjoyed enthusiastic audience attendance and full theatres throughout its four-day run, with screenings held at the Egyptian Theatre.
LAGFF showcases new films from Greece, Cyprus, and filmmakers of Greek descent worldwide. Eight feature films, seven documentaries, eight shorts, and 15 films enjoying their US premieres were played within the four-day Festival. I HATE VALENTINE'S DAY, Nia Vardalos' directorial debut, had its world premiere on Saturday June 27. LAGFF promotes and nurtures Greek Cinema while bridging the gap between Greek filmmakers and Hollywood. The Festival also offers screenings of film masterworks, seminars on important contemporary film issues, and tributes to significant filmmakers and performers. Orpheus Awards are given to the most outstanding new films in the dramatic, documentary and short film categories.