Sydney’s Greek Film Festival Unveils 30th Anniversary Program

The Greek Film Festival of Sydney has announced its full program for 2025, marking a major milestone as the event celebrates its 30th anniversary this October.

Running from 14–26 October 2025, the festival promises an extensive showcase of Greek and Greek-themed cinema, with screenings at Palace Cinema Norton Street, Leichhardt, and Palace Cinema Moore Park. The festival is presented by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) and proudly supported by Benchmark Greek Law.

This year’s celebration opens on Tuesday, October 14, with a gala screening of the epic film Kapetan Mihalis. From there, audiences can expect a diverse lineup of new releases, documentaries, comedies, dramas, and three major retrospectives honouring the festival’s history and legacy.

One retrospective revisits standout films from the past three decades, including A Touch of Spice, Rebetiko, Rosa of Smyrna, Pantelis Voulgaris classics such as Brides and The Last Note, Yorgos Lanthimos’s groundbreaking Dogtooth, and comedies like Safe Sex and Balkanisateur. A special screening of The Flea—the very first film to open the festival in Australia—will also feature.

Another retrospective highlights Sydney-based filmmakers whose work has enriched Greek cinema in Australia, including Kosta Nikas, Alex Lykos, Billy Cotsis, and Kay Pavlou. A third pays tribute to the career of actor-director Renos Haralambidis, culminating with the closing night screening of his latest film, Athens Midnight Radio, on Sunday, October 26 at Palace Moore Park.

Beyond the retrospectives, the festival program presents a strong slate of new works, including international titles The Return with Ralph Fiennes and Maria starring Angelina Jolie, Cypriot films Diversion and Smaragda, and family feature Santa’s Snow Candy. Audiences can also look forward to comedies like Greek Mothers Never Die and Murphy’s Law, dramas such as Riviera, Together Apart and Stelios, and documentaries including Dourgouti Town, Super Paradise, Memento, The Enigma of Keros and A Journey to the Stars.

Festival organisers say the 30th edition will be their most ambitious yet.

“For 30 years, the Greek Film Festival has been a cornerstone of cultural expression and connection for our community,” said Harry Danalis, President of the GOCNSW. “This year’s program is a true celebration of that history, creativity, and the strong cinematic bonds between Greece and Australia.”

Nia Karteris, Chair of the Greek Festival & Greek Film Festival of Sydney, added: “Reaching our 30th anniversary is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to the enduring power of Greek cinema and the unwavering dedication of our community. We are incredibly proud of the history we have built and are committed to making this 30th edition our most spectacular yet.”

Organisers have also hinted at further announcements in the coming weeks, including a special guest of honour from Greece and a new venue partner extending screenings to Sydney’s western suburbs.

For tickets and the full program, visit greekfilmfestival.com.au/sydney.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements, including details on a special guest of honour visiting from Greece and a new venue partner that will bring the festival's films to the western suburbs!

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT:
30th Greek Film Festival Sydney

WHEN:
14-26 October 2024

WHERE:
Palace Cinema Norton St,  99 Norton St, Leichardt, NSW 2040
Palace Cinema Moore Park 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021