The 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney, proudly presented by Benchmark Greek Law, paid tribute to the efforts of Hellenic-background filmmakers from its city in an in-depth conversation event with three local talents in Alex Lykos, Kay Pavlou and Billy Cotsis.
The event titled ‘Sydney Silver Screen: A Tribute to Local Legends’, that took place on Monday 20th October, saw the three Sydney-based filmmakers engage in a Q&A session at Steki Taverna led by Ouzo Talk host Tom Skolarikis.
The trio shared keen insights into various subjects regarding their respective journeys, while also discussing larger topics centred around the film industry, including some of the harsh realities the industry itself faces and its impact on creators.
They noted the Greek Film Festival provides critical support for Greek Australian filmmakers, a sentiment shared when visiting director from Greece, Kostas Macheras, appeared towards the end and remarked that it is also an important vehicle for providing an insight into modern Greece.
All the aforementioned filmmakers have had works of theirs included as part of this year’s Film Festival program, with Cotsis highlighting it as an immense privilege to have been included in that list.
“We (himself and his collaborators) created a film specifically for this year’s Festival. That’s how much this Festival means to us,” Cotsis said.
Pavlou added her pleasure that the festival spotlights documentaries such as hers (‘Two Homelands’), while stating: “It’s a beautiful, inclusive experience for us as Greek Australian filmmakers. It’s embracing of us and of our audiences.”
Lykos expressed that the festival’s biggest asset is how it cultivates and celebrates Hellenism through its honouring the film exploits of talented creators.
“Tonight was about community, coming together and celebrating our Greekness, and I always see that as a very, very big privilege,” Lykos said.
Nia Karteris, Chair of the Greek Film Festival of Sydney and Secretary of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), stressed events such as these are critical in achieving one of the key goals of the Film Festival.
“The Greek Film Festival of Sydney has always wanted to showcase not only international Greek films, but also the works in our Greek Australian film industry from talented directors, writers, producers, and all other types of creators,” Ms Karteris said.
Among the guests in attendance at the event included the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, and Vice President of the GOCNSW Con Apoifis.
