San Francisco Greek Film Festival wraps up; award winners announced

The 2022 San Francisco Greek Film Festival (SFGFF) wrapped its 19th annual event, held April 8th through 16th, returning to in person showings at Delancey Screening Room in San Francisco, as well as continuing popular virtual screenings.

The in person Festival screened 17 short films and 9 full feature films, and the virtual component featured 12 shorts, 10 documentaries, and 3 full feature films – all by Greek and Cypriot filmmakers from around the world. All films were suitable for American audiences, with English subtitles.

The Festival team selected these works from over 350 film submissions that were received this year.

SFGFF audiences responded to surveys at every screening, making their voices heard in process to select the audience choice awards, known as The Astron Awards. A panel of nine film/art industry professionals deliberated to bestow Jury Awards in 3 categories. Below are the final awards results.

ASTRON AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS

Feature Film
SMYRNA, MY BELOVED
Directed by Grigoris Karantinakis

Short
FROM THE BALCONY
Directed Aris Kaplanidis and Ilias Roumeliotis

JURY AWARDS

Best Narrative Feature
HOLY EMY
Directed by Araceli Lemos

Best Narrative Feature Honorable Mention
THE SISTERS KARRAS
Directed by Micah Stathis

Best Narrative Feature Honorable Mention
18
Directed by Vassilis Douvlis

Best Documentary
THE STUDENTS OF UMBERTO PRIMO
Directed by Alessandra Maioletti

Best Documentary Honorable Mention
+1
Directed by Argyris Liapis

Best Short
TO VANCOUVER
Directed by Artemis Anastasiadou

Best Short Honorable Mention
A SUMMER PLACE}
Directed by Alexandra Matheou

Best Short Honorable Mention
FROM THE BALCONY
Directed by Aris Kaplanidis and Illias Roumeliotis

SFGFF gives special thanks to all the jurors: multimedia and special events pioneer babaLou, writer-director-producer-designer-lyricist-composer Nicholas Frangias, filmmaker and Associate Professor Kara Herold, artist and film industry veteran Jerry Rosenblum, film producer Henry S. Rosenthal, film industry professional Rita Roti, Academy Award and Emmy Award filmmaker Allie Light, musician and filmmaker Dale Sophiea, filmmaker and health care teacher Liza Xydis.