The Delphi Bank 26th Greek Film Festival returns to Palace Cinemas with an injection of Greek culture, history and stories for twelve days, from 9 to 20 October. This year's lineup will include 15 acclaimed and award-winning features, 3 fascinating documentaries and some interesting shorts.

“We are proud to offer a variety of entertaining and informative films from some of the most gifted Greek storytellers in the film industry, with something on offer for everyone” said Festival Co-Chairs Jim Bossinakis and Leonidas Vlahakis. “We hope you can join us for another highly anticipated and memorable festival- definitely one of the highlights of the Melbourne’s Greek social calendar.”

Back again, is the 10^th Greek Australian Short Film Festival with a 'BEST OF' program as is the 9th Greek Student Film Festival (showcasing our future filmmakers) which will be on the last day of the Festival. Also, on offer this year will be a variety of Special Events including a Cypriot Contemporary Cinema double feature. Full program is now available, and tickets are on sale at www.greekfilmfestival.com.au

Opening and Closing Night

The Australian Premiere of 1968 from award winning Greek Director Tassos Boulmetis (A Touch of Spice, Mythopathy) will open the festival. The heartwarming docudrama is based on the true story about the epic 1968 basketball game between the underdog Greek team A.E.K and Slavia of Prague (Czechoslovakia).

Closing the Festival is the World Premiere of Alkinos Tsilimidos’ black comedy The Taverna which centers on one fateful night at a Greek restaurant in Melbourne and the dilemmas faced by the owner.

Features:

• 1968 (2018) – Tassos Boulmetis’ inspirational docu-drama is based on the true story about the epic 1968 basketball game between the underdog Greek team A.E.K and Slavia of Prague (Czechoslovakia), that united Greece during a time of political instability.
• Aigaio SOS (2018) - Pierros Andrakakos delivers a military comedy masterpiece which shines a spotlight on the comical, yet serious incidents between the Greeks & the Turks that ultimately lead to a disaster with tsunamic ramifications.
• Epiphany (2018)Starring Alex Dimitriades, this award-winning film shines a realistic light on a hard-working family living in a picturesque Greek sponge diving town in Tarpon Springs, Florida who struggle to maintain the cultural traditions of their past while striving for happiness in the present moment.
• Her Job (2018) Nikos Labot’s debut feature is a confronting yet inspiring film based about a middle-aged woman’s subtle empowerment through employment, during the present day Greek financial crisis
• Holy Boom (2018) Maria Lafi’s multi-award winning dramatic feature highlights the change in fortune for four strangers, who live in the same neighborhood when a random explosion occurs on Palm Sunday.
• In this Land Nobody Knew how to Cry (2018) An off-beat, “dreamlike comedy” set on an imaginary small Greek island, whose inhabitants have established viable living alternatives based on historical traditions.
• Love Me Not (2017) A dramatic-thriller that sheds light on the ramifications of a young migrant girl’s decision to become a surrogate for a wealthy couple.
• Meltem (2018) Basile Doganis’ feature debut explores cultural identity and migrants in this funny, thought-provoking film about a young girl mourning the death of her mother while on holiday with her friends.
• Pause (2018) Cypriot director Tonia Mishiali's drama tells the story of an overworked and repressed Cypriot housewife who – once she hits menopause – dreams of violent rebellion against her sexist husband.
• Perfect Strangers (2016) (no subtitles) Thodoris Atheridis’ film based on the Italian box office hit, skillfully tells the stories of seven friends who decide to play a dangerous game during a dinner party.
• Perimenontas ti Nona (2019) (no subtitles) Veteran Director Nikos Zapatina gives human despair a facelift in this feel good, light-hearted comedy about the adventures of Hercules who travels to Naxos to see his gravely ill Godmother with his best friend.
• The Bachelor 3 (2018) A distinctively Greek take on The Hangover franchise, The Bachelor 3 reunites the cast of the 2016 original for another adventure of madness and mayhem- only this time in Larissa.
• The Bullet Within (2018) Cypriot Director Peter Charalambous delivers an emotive and timely true story set in present day (divided) Cyprus about 35 year old Andreas who buries his 27 year old father the day before his wedding.
• The Favourite (2018) 2019 BAFTA winner and Oscar award nominated Greek Director Yorgos Lanthimos directs a scandalous period piece about two women vying for the affections of Queen Anne.
• The Taverna (2019) Alkinos Tsilimidos’ highly anticipated black comedy about the dilemmas faced by a Greek restaurant owner in Melbourne makes its’ World Premiere at the Closing Night of Delphi Bank 26^th Greek Film Festival.

Documentaries

• Maria by Callas (2018) Tom Volf's film is the first to tell the life story of the legendary Greek/American opera singer completely in her own words.
• The Return (2017) Director Menelaos Karamaghiolis shines a spotlight on an age-old question; can theatre become an educational and rehabilitation medium for underage inmates who have no chance of escaping disobedience?
• When Tomatoes Met Wagner (2019) Marianna Economou's delivers a touching documentary about a community trying to survive austerity and revive commerce in their tiny Greek village, by marketing their organic tomato goods as trendy delicacies.

Short:

For special inclusion in our regular program.

• Utopia (2019) Kostas Nikas film highlights the reality of a society where citizens police each other with their mobile phones and where there is more freedom inside prison rather than outside it.

DELPHI BANK 26^TH GREEK FILM FESTIVAL DETAILS:

WHAT: The Delphi Bank 26th Greek Film Festival- Melbourne

WHEN: Wednesday 9 – Sunday 20 October 2019

WHERE: The Astor Theatre and Palace Cinema Como

WEBSITE:www.greekfilmfestival.com.au

FACEBOOK:www.facebook.com/GreekFilmFestival