Hundreds of cinema-goers will flock to Melbourne's Greek Film Festival Opening Gala

Over 1100 cinema-goers are expected at the Astor Theatre and at three cinemas at Palace Como for the 26th Greek Film Festival Opening Gala in Melbourne tonight (Wednesday).

The 26th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne starts at 9th of October and lasts until the 20th of October. Source: SBS Greek

According to the organisers, St. Kilda's "Astor Theatre" is sold out and 750 people will be attending tonight's opening night. 

Additionally, 400 approximately people will watch Tassos Boultemis's "1968" opening night film at the Palace Como in South Yarra.  

Tickets sales are going strong and some of the most popular films are: 

- Closing Night Film "The Taverna";

- There will be additional screenings for the "1968" film;

- the documentary "Maria by Callas"; 

- "In this Land Nobody Knew How to Cry";

- "Perimenontas ti Nona" (Greek language film with no subtitles);

- "Perfect Strangers" (Greek language film with no subtitles);

- "The Bullet Within and Pause" which is as part of our Cypriot Special Event screening on Tuesday (15 October).

- A couple of Q&A events: "The Return" with Stathis Grapsas (Sunday 13 October) and "Epiphany" with Caitlan Carmichael (Saturday 19 October).

Opening Film

The film "1968" by from award-winning Greek director Tassos Boulmetis (A Touch of Spice, Mythopathy) will open the 26th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne tonight.

Based on a true story, the inspiring and heartwarming docudrama tells the story about the epic 1968 basketball game between the underdog Greek team A.E.K and Slavia of Prague (Czechoslovakia), that united Greece during a time of political instability.

VIPs at Melbourne's festival opening gala

Bill Papastergiadis, President of Greek Community of Melbourne; Dimitris Michalopoulos, Consul General of Greece; Steve Dimopoulos MP, Member for Oakleigh and representing the Premier of Victoria; Maria Vamvanikou,  Federal Member for Calwell; David Davis MP, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council who will represent representing Michael O’Brien, the Leader of the Opposition; Nick Staikos MP, Member for Bentleigh; Cr Steve Stefanopoulos, Mayor of City of Stonnington.

The opening gala will attend also director Alkinoos Tsilimidosm, whose film "The Taverna" will be screened at the GFF19 Closing Night); actor and director Stathis Grapsas, who participates at the documentary "The Return"; Australian actor Lachy Hulme; Australian actor Katerina Kotsonis and Jim Koutsoukos, who are the artistic directors of the Greek Australian Short Film Festival.