The documentary Hollywoodgate, produced by Greek filmmaker Katherine Embiricos, has been shortlisted for the Documentary Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards (the Oscars).
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlist on December 17, revealing that Embiricos’ film is one of 15 selected from 169 eligible entries in the category.
“Thrilled to share that ‘Hollywoodgate’ has made the official shortlist for the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature,” she wrote.
“Out of 169 incredible films, we’re honoured to be one of the 15 selected. Congrats to everyone who made this film happen and with so much gratitude to those who supported the journey so far.”
Embiricos also expressed appreciation for her “dream team” and especially praised the film’s Egyptian director, Ibrahim Nash’at.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on 2 March 2025.
Ten members of Greece’s former royal family have applied for Greek citizenship as of Thursday, December 19.
The applicants include the five children of the late King Constantine and five of his grandchildren – three children of his son Pavlos and two of his daughter Alexia.
As part of the citizenship process, applicants must submit a declaration recognising Greece’s political system, renounce any claims tied to the previous monarchy, and select a surname for their registration in the municipal records.
After these declarations are submitted, they are reviewed by Greece’s Minister of the Interior, who ensures compliance with relevant laws before finalising the registrations.
Former prince Pavlos and his family have applied for Greek citizenship.
According to tovima.com, the former royals have opted for the surname ‘De Grece,’ which matches the name used on their Danish diplomatic passports. In Greek, the surname will be recorded as ‘Ντε Γκρες’.
Once registered, former royal family members gain the same rights and obligations as Greek citizens, including eligibility for identity cards, passports, and military conscription if applicable. Male applicants of conscription age must complete military service like other Greek citizens.
Reports indicate that Anna-Maria, widow of King Constantine, has declined to apply for Greek citizenship, stating she has no interest in doing so.
Unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, Syria, on Wednesday, December 18, firing shots at its walls and attempting to remove the cross, according to local reports.
No casualties were reported, but the incident caused minor damage and widespread panic. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) condemned the attack and urged for accountability.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama confirmed the incident, stating that local police had responded to its complaint and were actively tracking the suspects.
“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama confirms that a shooting incident took place. What happened has been immediately followed up by the Hama Police Command and the perpetrators are being tracked down,” a statement from the police read.
There were also reports of an attack on a nearby cemetery.
Unconfirmed reports suggested a nearby cemetery was also attacked, with images online showing damaged gravestones and statues.
Hama is known for its religious and ethnic diversity, home to Sunnis, Shia, Christians, and Alawites. Despite assurances from HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa that Syria’s minorities would be protected, attacks on religious sites and properties persist in the region.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has secured a new position as the head coach of Westfields Sports High School’s rugby league programme.
Jason Demetriou was dismissed from his role at the Rabbitohs earlier this year. Photo: ABC News.
Despite his departure from South Sydney, Demetriou has remained active in rugby league, balancing his media commitments with his duties as head coach of the PNG team.
The move to Westfields Sports High School marks the next chapter in his coaching career, as he works with one of the country’s leading rugby league development programmes.
Artemus Group, the hospitality powerhouse behind Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves, has taken a significant step in its ambitious plans to revitalise Sydney’s Manly Wharf by acquiring the iconic Hugos Manly.
The deal, facilitated by Andrew Jolliffe of HTL Property, will see the Hugos team stay on, and the venue operated by Dave Evans and David Corsi.
Founded by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry, with Luke Fraser as CEO, Artemus Group has pledged to bring its expertise and vision to the Sydney waterfront.
Adam Flaskas, founder/director of the Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane, said he was looking forward to “providing a family friendly, sustainable and cultural entertainment precinct” at Manly Wharf. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail
Plans are also underway to transform the old Aldi supermarket into a microbrewery, with a $13 million proposal already submitted.
Artemus purchased the bulk of the wharf complex from tycoon Robert Magid’s TMG Developments, including the Manly Wharf Hotel, in deals worth $110 million.
Flaskas and his team are keen to integrate community feedback as they overhaul the beloved site, aiming to create a vibrant harbourside destination.
In 2024, the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) identified the remains of 11 individuals linked to the inter-communal conflicts of 1963-1964 and 1974.
Among them, two were Greek Cypriots, while four were unlisted fallen combatants. The CMP carried out excavations at 102 sites, uncovering remains in five new locations, including Aloa, Trachoni, and Karavas.
So far, 1,051 of the 2,002 officially missing individuals have been identified, alongside 216 unlisted cases.
Twelve-year-old Lachlan Racovalis from Gympie, Queensland, has set a Guinness World Record by completing 187 pogo stick jumps in one minute, surpassing the previous Under-16 record of 172 jumps.
Lachlan, who lives with autism, trained daily for the feat, and his mother, Kim Racovalis, managed the rigorous application process.
Her efforts paid off when Lachlan smashed the previous record in June this year, though it took months for Guinness to confirm.
Kim praised her son’s determination, calling his achievement an inspiration for all children. While Lachlan is considering future records, for now, he is savouring his success.
The Advertiser has released its annual Power 100 rankings list for South Australia’s most powerful and influential people. Amongst the list are at least four Australians of Greek heritage.
78 – Kayla Itsines
The co-founder and head trainer of the fitness app Sweat has an immense global influence, boasting nearly 16 million followers on Instagram. Itsines is endorsed by major brands like Powerade, and the app has expanded to include over 50 programmes with 13,000 workouts.
62 – Steve Maras
Steve Maras (back) with his father Theo Maras (front), pictured in Adelaide’s East End. Photo: The Daily Telegraph.
The managing director of the family-run Maras Group, established by the charismatic and influential Theo Maras, has served as president of the SA chapter of the Property Council. Recently appointed chair of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency, they are also heavily engaged in the East End’s growth and development.
54 – Chief Justice Chris Kourakis
SA Chief Justice Chris Kourakis. Photo: Dylan Coker.
South Australia’s Chief Justice, a highly experienced jurist with over 40 years in law, has modernised the state’s justice system, championed professional reform, and overseen judicial operations for 12 years, while balancing polarising decisions and aspirations for court upgrades, with speculation about early retirement.
29 – SA Minister for Transport, Tom Koutsantonis
A Labor stalwart, Koutsantonis serves as the government’s primary critic of the opposition. He is leading the Torrens to Darling project, South Australia’s most expensive infrastructure endeavour, as well as the ambitious Hydrogen Jobs Plan. Additionally, he plays a key role in ensuring BHP delivers on its copper initiatives.
Greece has returned 1,055 ancient coins, including 61 silver staters, to Turkey after they were confiscated by Greek customs in 2019.
The coins, dated to the 5th century BC, originated from regions such as Pamphylia, Cilicia, and Athens.
During a ceremony at the Numismatic Museum in Athens, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Turkish counterpart Mehmet Nuri Ersoy highlighted the importance of international collaboration in combating illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts.
Greece and Turkey’s Ministers of Culture at the coin exchange ceremony.
Both sides confirmed the coins were illegally trafficked from Turkey to Greece, and their return complies with the 1970 UNESCO Convention and a bilateral agreement signed in 2013.
Greek Australian director and actor Peter Kalos said he felt numb the Christmas after his 18-year-old daughter Athenie took her life in November 2020. He joined a cohort of people who find the holidays challenging.
Joyful images of festive gatherings, families surrounded by gifts, are tough to handle for those facing loss.
“That first Christmas, we just stayed home and cried. The second Christmas was astonishingly worse than the first with the realisation that it is real and we would never celebrate with Athenie again,” Peter says.
“Later, it comes down to choice. You can let grief destroy you or you can start looking for things that matter in life.”
Memories of Athenie, a ball hangs on the Kalos family Christmas tree.Memories of Christmas past with Athenie Kalos.
Since Athenie’s death, Peter created Athenie’s Angels to help young people learn resiliency-building skills to protect their mental health against risk factors in their environment. There are programs to build Emotional Intelligence, art therapy, a book club to spark important conversations and other activities.
Athenie’s passing has helped Peter be more present in his own life.
“I call up my cousins and say, ‘Here’s my Christmas gift: Get off your phone and social media and have a day with your kids and family’,” Peter says.
Self-employed tradie Jason Sotiris can relate.
He remembers clutching his daughter, Angela, as scans found tumours throughout her body in a rare cancer known as Langerhans cell histiocytosis. He keeps her memory alive through Supertee, a charity that distributes superhero-themed medical gowns free of charge to sick children in hospitals.
“We spent a few Christmases in hospital,” Jason recalls. “Hospitals go out of their way to show love and care when accommodating children. But as parents, one day brings joy, and the next is a stark reminder of our child’s illness.”
During Christmas, families scroll down their phones and see photographs of happy families, especially large Greek families.
“It’s a noticeable difference. We should spare a thought for parents taking turns at hospital caring for a sick child while the other children are at home,” he says.
Supertee gives sick children joy by turning hospital garments into an opportunity for play.
Jason Sotiris with his Supertees.
“The power of impersonation when they dress up in costume is incredible,” Jason says. “We have something for kids who enjoy dancing, soccer teams, and all sorts of heroes.”
On Christmas Eve, Jason will be doing the rounds, stopping at the last hospital nearest his home before joining his family.
Helen Andreanakis, a mental health clinician, will be taking disadvantaged children to Werribee Zoo in the lead up to Christmas. Come Christmas day, she will be at a homeless shelter. Between delivering hampers, the Troubled Waters podcast shedding light on Louisa Ioannidis’ mysterious death and her other work, there’s a lot to be done.
Helen Andreanakis is a mental health clinician whose work does not stop after she clocks off.
“The need is all year round but Christmas is more noticeable when people ask for more things, children want Christmas gifts and people wonder where to spend Christmas. Though services offer lunches, some people find this depressing,” she says.
“We have to remember that once upon a time these people weren’t born homeless, substance users or with complexities. They had functional lives before things went downhill.”
Since finishing her studies and training at Pentridge as a young clinician, she has not stopped knocking on doors, visiting Greek churches, asking for help and also getting many knockbacks. She is grateful to people like Vicky Xypolitos who has helped mother and baby units with hampers, former Pharmacy Guild president George Tambassis, and NMPS Food Groups Managing Director Evan Tsioukis, among others. She invites anyone willing to help with the hampers or volunteering to reach out to helen.kilias@gmail.
Older people benefit from family time. Pictured on the left is Virginia Tachos’ mum who has dementia.Helen Andreanakis says hampers are needed for families facing hardship.
Looking at Brimback Councillor Virginia Tachos, it’s hard to tell that beneath smiling photos on social media lies the tragedy of her 89-year-old mother’s struggle with dementia.
“It’s sad to see mum decline,” Virginia says. “She used to make holidays so special for us with a traditional Christmas lunch she’d prepare days in advance, but now it’s between myself and my sister, and her grandkids make her day very special.”
Virginia watches her once “indestructible” mother withdraw.
“Memories flood back when she’s with us, and she gets quite emotional,” Virginia says, adding that dementia is an “unforgiving disease.”
Author and writer Betty Coracas has been through breast cancer, a mastectomy and hysterectomy, but her worst Christmas was when she watched her mother die.
Betty Coracas invites people to donate hearts for medical research.
“She had blocked arteries, heart problems, and refused to have an operation,” Betty says. “I interviewed her for my first book, ‘Daughter of Venus.’ Maybe this kept her alive. I remember her being happy I had finished the manuscript. She was happy and we were sad.”
Her mother passed away two months later.
“Mum was educated through the church, and not through formal education. Something she taught me was love. She had the greatest capacity to love and be loved. Anyone who came home was offered food and she was the most forgiving person,” Betty recalls, cherishing the memories.
These stories are a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. As we celebrate the holiday season, let’s embrace the true spirit of Christmas: love, compassion, and empathy.
