History was made in Parramatta on Thursday, October 16 as the 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney, proudly presented by Benchmark Greek Law, held its official Western Sydney opening at the Riverside Theatres – marking the first time in the festival’s history that it expanded beyond its traditional inner-city venues.
The intimate 87-seat theatre was filled to capacity, welcoming film lovers, community leaders, and special guests for a memorable evening celebrating Greek cinema and culture.
Guests enjoyed Metaxa cocktails before the screening of Kapetan Mihalis, directed by Kostas Haralambous and inspired by Nikos Kazantzakis’ epic novel.
Adding to the Cretan atmosphere, IHO NYX performed live ahead of the film, captivating the audience with traditional sounds.
Among the distinguished attendees were Cr Georgina Valjak and Cr Sreeni Pillamarri from the City of Parramatta, Chair of the Greek Festival and Greek Film Festival of Sydney, Nia Karteris, John Bris and Tina Karayannis of the Greek Festival of Parramatta, and visiting director Kostas Macheras from Greece.
Ms Karteris praised the milestone expansion and said the committee brought the festival to Parramatta in response to strong community demand, ensuring Western Sydney’s Greek audiences could enjoy and celebrate Greek cinema close to home.
The Riverside program features 16 screenings, showcasing a curated mix of anniversary retrospectives, contemporary Greek productions, and family-friendly films.
As the night drew to a close, it was clear that the west had indeed been won – with cinema, community, and culture taking centre stage.
