The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for Hellenic Studies is pleased to support the inaugural Vancouver Greek Film Festival (VGFF), presented by the Canadian Hellenic Congress of British Columbia And The Cinematheque. The festival, which runs from June 16 to 19, 2022, celebrates cinema as an art and will present an eclectic offering of contemporary and classic Greek films. It was co-founded by Canadian director, screenwriter and producer Harry Killas and local artist Christos Dikeakos. It is also part of a calendar of events organized by the Congress during Greek Heritage Monthwhich will culminate this year with the return of Greek Day to Broadway on June 26.
The festival is organized in four parts: From the Archive, a look back at forgotten classics; Celebration of Greek authors and artists, stories of and about iconic Greek artists; Contemporary Greek cinema, a selection of recent titles that are causing a sensation at international film festivals; and Greeks in the Diaspora, films made by Greek directors from around the world. As a result, guests can expect to experience a very unique assortment of Greek cinema. One of the films, The Apaches of Athens, based on an operetta of the same title and supposedly the first Greek sound film, was considered lost for decades until its discovery at the Cinémathèque Française seven years ago. The restoration was undertaken by a consortium of Greek and European institutions, led by prominent filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Apaches of Athens stands out for its performances and music, as well as scenes filmed on location in the poor neighborhoods of post-war Athens. The digital restoration of the film and its presentation were made possible thanks to the support of an exclusive grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
When:
June 16-19, 2022
Or:
The Cinematheque
200-1131 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6Z 2L7
How:
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or during screening times at the Cinémathèque Box Office. Screenings are restricted to ages 18 and over, unless otherwise noted.
Single tickets: General (18+) $14 / Senior (65+) $12 / Student $10
Guests can also buy a ticket pack and watch several films at a reduced rate!
Ticket packs: 5 pack $50 / 10 pack $90
Find the film festival program below:
Vancouver Greek Film Festival Schedule
FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Zorba the Greek (1964), dir. Michael Cacoyannis | Opening film
- Oi Apachides Ton Athinon (The Apaches of Athens) (1930), dir. Dimitrios Gaziadès | Canadian premiere
CELEBRATE GREEK AUTHORS AND ARTISTS
Spotlight on Athina Rachel Tsangari
- Attenberg (2010)
- Knight (2015)
- The capsule (2012)
Maria Callas
- Maria By Callas (2017), dir. Tom Volf
With an introduction by Canadian soprano Lambroula Pappas
CONTEMPORARY GREEK CINEMA
- Excavator (2020), dir. Georges Grigorakis | Premiere in British Columbia
- The distance between us and the sky (2019), dir. Vasilis Kekatos
THE GREEKS IN THE DIASPORA
- Greek for me (2019), dir. Harry Killas | Closing film + North American premiere
The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the director
Presenters
About the Canadian Hellenic Congress of British Columbia
The Hellenic Canadian Congress of British Columbia fosters education, communication and cooperation among Hellenic Canadians and other ethnic groups, and promotes the development of just and equitable policies and laws affecting all citizens. The Congress encourages and promotes the maintenance and development of Hellenism in British Columbia within the multicultural context of Canada.
About the Cinematheque
Founded in 1972, the Cinémathèque is a film institute and media education center dedicated to understanding the art and history of Canadian and international cinema as well as the impact of moving images and screen media in our lives. Public activities include a year-round calendar of film exhibitions dedicated to important classic and contemporary films and filmmakers; and a range of community outreach programs providing interactive learning opportunities in the areas of film appreciation, filmmaking, media literacy and critical thinking.
For more information about the SNF Center for Hellenic Studies and its programs, please visit our Media page.
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