Noted Greek filmmaker Renos Haralambidis claims it is destiny that the same film festival he has admired from afar for many years will now partake in celebrating his works as part of its landmark 30th edition.
Haralambidis is one of the chief protagonists of the 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney, having been invited to attend Sydney from 24-27 October as its guest of honour.
The filmmaker will be honoured with a career retrospective that will see numerous screenings of his directed works, including ‘Cheap Smokes’, ‘4 Black Suits’, ‘The Heart of the Beast’ and ‘No Budget Story’.
His latest film ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ will also serve as the festival’s closing night picture, screening at Palace Cinemas Moore Park on 26 October.
“I want to believe that it was fate!” Haralambidis said when asked about the collaboration.
He remarked that he felt it was destiny to have been asked to participate in the festival, which he has followed for so many years from Greece, expressing extreme pleasure to be able to show his work in Australia.
“It is a big challenge for me to communicate with an audience in a community that is more deeply Greek than those who live in Greece itself,” the filmmaker said.
“I am also moved and inspired by the fact that my films will be screened in the southern hemisphere. Really far from where they were shot but really close to every Greek heart!”
He has released several pictures spanning from 1997 to present day, explaining they all tell a story of what he was dealing with at various stages of his life.
“My films are part of my life. Whether they are autobiographical or deal with concerns that overwhelm me at various stages of my life, they evolve with me and I treat them as a mirror that reflects my changing self over time,” the director said.
When thinking on his growth as a filmmaker, he noted that he has become more keenly aware of the significance of transforming his personal experience into a shared one that translates to audiences, saying “for me, that is the ultimate goal”.
He remarked that his latest film was born out of his difficulty in coming to terms with turning 50.
“I decided to make a film that would explore my fears and find solutions,” the now 54-year-old said.
“It was more of a philosophical journey than a cinematic one. I don’t want to talk too much about the film because that would detract from the viewing experience. However, I aspire for it to be a cathartic cinematic experience.”
Haralambidis admitted he feels immensely honoured that his films will be celebrated, and that he will be able to visit a place where he will be “in the heart of authentic Hellenism”.
“Sydney is a city that I always dreamed of adding to my personal map of places where my films would travel. And most importantly, it is the Greek audience of the city that I aspire to speak to in the Greek heart,” he said.
“I hope that the closing night of the festival will be the night of my opening to communication with the Sydney film audience.”
Prepare to witness the cinematic vision of a contemporary master! The 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney, proudly presented by Benchmark Greek Law, invites all film lovers and community members to delve into the powerful work of renowned Greek filmmaker, Renos Haralambidis.
This is your chance to meet the artist in person during his visit to Sydney. His inaugural appearance will take place at new venue partner, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, where he will participate in a Q&A session for his film Cheap Smokes with Themis Kallos.
His second Q&A is scheduled for Palace Cinema Norton St in Leichhardt, where he will discuss his first film, No Budget Story, with Professor Vrasidas Karalis. His third and final appearance in Sydney’s cinema venues will be at the Closing Night at Palace Cinemas Moore Park, where he will offer his insights on his latest film, Athens Midnight Radio.
Conclude this extraordinary cinematic journey with a truly unique farewell. On Monday, October 27th, seize the rare opportunity to join Renos Haralambidis for an intimate and unforgettable conversation. This special event at The Grand Roxy is your chance to engage directly with the visionary filmmaker, hear his final thoughts on his Sydney visit, and delve deeper into his artistry in a personal setting.
Event Details:
- What: Retrospective and visit of Renos Haralambidis as part of the 30th Greek Film Festival Sydney
- When: 24th – 27th October 2025
- Where:
Riverside Theatres Parramatta, Corner Market & 353 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150, tickets: https://shorturl.at/uj732
Palace Cinema Norton St, 99 Norton St, Leichardt, NSW 2040, tickets: https://shorturl.at/2BgDu
Palace Cinema Moore Park, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021, tickets: https://shorturl.at/Xrk97
The Grand Roxy, 128 The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands NSW 2216, tickets: https://shorturl.at/bI9j1
- Tickets and Full Program: https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/sydney
