Greek Australian actress Demitra Sealy on her way to Cannes

Greek Australian actress Demitra Sealy, who packed up her life last year to move to New York to be part of the internationally acclaimed Actors Studio has been selected as one of the promoted actors at next week's 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It is the world’s biggest festival and awards ceremony for creativity in entertainment, the creative and marketing communications and design and tech industries.

Sealy, has been making big waves in the acting scene since moving to New York, including amassing a slew of accolades last year, amongst them, her work in ‘First World Relationships.’ She will fly to France on June 16^th to join a handful of people from around the world who will intern with the festival for it’s entirety, network, and attend red carpet events and parties with all the major players in the industry.

Greek City Times caught up with Sealy to chat about her experience with the Actors Studio, her excitement in the lead-up to Cannes, and being starstruck in New York.

What have you gained from being part of the Actors Studio?

Being a part of the Studio has exposed me to a real array of new techniques in which to approach acting.

It’s completely shifted the way I think when approaching a role and has ignited a depth to my work which previously wasn’t there. I am being taught fun masters in the industry and I am so thankful for that. It’s hard work but the opportunities for growth in myself and my work have been endless.

What have your experiences been like since moving to New York last year?

It’s definitely had its ups and downs and has exposed me to a whole new way of life I have had to get used to. New York is so different to Sydney, but it continues to be such an adventure! The acting market here is so wide and the opportunities to get my face out there are so wonderful! I’m very lucky to have the Actors Studio supporting me with this transition as I aim to conquer this market soon enough!

Tell us about being selectee to go to Cannes? What are you most looking forward to? 

What I’m most looking forward to comes in two parts; for my career, it is a networking internship so I’m really excited to meet people and get involved with new things. People come from around the world for this festival so I’m looking forward to being exposed to creatives from around the world with all their different thoughts and advice. Secondly, being in the South of France! I’m looking forward to traveling, laying on the beach and tasting good food. I doubt there is a bad time to be had.

Have you had much to do with the Greek community in New York?

Yes absolutely, though I would love to be involved more! In Australia you throw a rock and you hit a Greek, we are a little harder to find here in NYC and the Greek art community is almost non-existent to my knowledge- which is a HUGE shame. Of course I still have gone out of my way to connect with Greek people here, traveling all the way up to Astoria for the good Greek food and in fact one of the Heads of the Actors Studio, Andreas Manolikakis, is from Greece.

Have you had moments where you felt starstruck?

I’ve always thought that I’m not really the type of person to get starstruck but now being able to see the talent of people like Andrew Garfield, Billie Piper, Denzel Washington 20 feet away from you on the Broadway stage, I absolutely have found myself star struck by their talent. How they conquer their roles (seemingly) with ease night after night. I am in awe and strive for that level. It really drives me.

What's coming up next?

After France I’m back in NYC for one week to be part of a play festival then I am off to LA to take meetings and check out the landscape. Some things will hopefully be brewing but I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch so fingers crossed for me please! Send me some Greek community love haha!