Byzanfest is pleased to announce films made by Greek-American and Greek-Australians have won several prizes at this year’s Byzanfest Intentional Film Festival.
BLESSINGS AND VOWS, by director Katerina Zacharia is about an octogenarian villager, Mrs. Metaxia Anaplioti, who kept her vow for 49 years of lighting a candle daily at the 11th century Byzantine church of Hagioi Theodoroi in Vamvaka, Mani. This short-film explored the connection between identity – both personal and collective – place, tradition and ancestors. It won BEST documentary, best director and best short-film and close to $1,500 USD of cash and prizes.
A Greek-Australian duo won BEST SCREENPLAY-IN-DEVELOPMENT AWARD – Renee Kypriotis & Ari Kwasner-Catsi – for their screenplay, CONCRETE. The story is about a young Greek-Australian caught between two worlds during Holy Week.
There were also several Greek themed/filmmaker finalists, including SEEKING FOR AGOUSA, ZEIBEKIKO IN BEIRUT, HIDDEN VOICE and LOUIE 5POINTZ.
Byzanfest was also honoured to have Yiannis Stravolaimos, Ana Matsis and Manos Triantafillakis on the international judging panel.
Byzanfest is scheduling several re-screenings across Australia. For more information or to host: byzanfest@gmail.com.
