Greek Film Festival Turns 30 with the Epic Premiere of Kapetan Mihalis

The 30th Greek Film Festival, presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne, officially launched on 14 October at the Astor Theatre in Melbourne with a sold-out Gala celebrating the enduring spirit of Greek storytelling. The opening film, Kapetan Mihalis, a new adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’ classic novel, set the tone for a programme centred on freedom, identity and cultural heritage.

Guests arrived under the high ceilings of the Astor, where they were greeted by the sound of the Cretan lyra, and dancers from the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria performed in traditional dress. Tables laden with Greek food from Phlavour, and drinks from Hellenic Wines + Spirits, created a warm reception before the main event. Commemorative 30th-anniversary tote bags, filled with sponsor gifts, offered a tangible link between community and festival.

Before the screening, festival officials and dignitaries addressed the crowd. Dr Jim Bossinakis, Chair of GCM’s Cultural Programs Committee, opened with remarks on the festival’s three decades of cultural bridge-building in Australia. The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, praised Kapetan Mihalis as a cinematic “masterpiece” and reflected on how the festival had grown into a major event for the Greek diaspora, showcasing the works of filmmakers like Pantelis Voulgaris and Yorgos Lanthimos. Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, spoke of the festival as an expression of values: belonging, generosity and cultural connection 17,000 km from Greece.

When the lights dimmed, Kapetan Mihalis unfolded. Produced by director Kostas Haralambous, this is the first major screen adaptation of Kazantzakis’ novel. The story is set in 1889 Crete amid rebellion against Ottoman rule, and follows a Cretan patriot torn between duty and forbidden love. The protagonist, Captain Mihalis, has sworn to wear black until his homeland is free, yet finds himself drawn into a dangerous emotional conflict.

Haralambous told media that, despite the historical backdrop, the themes are “timelessly relevant to every thinking person,” with characters wrestling “contradictions and ideals that torment them.”

The film’s cast includes Emilios Chilakis, Alekos Sissovitis and Loukia Michalopoulou among others.  Audiences in Melbourne and Sydney will see the film in Gala format, while select special event screenings play at Palace Balwyn, Palace Como and Pentridge.

The festival’s heartbeat: 30 years of Greek film in Australia

This edition is more than just a set of screenings — it is a celebration, a retrospective and a forecast all in one. Over 100 screenings are slated, including 16 new releases and a curated retrospective of the festival’s past highlights.

Among the films slated: Little England, Brides, A Touch of Spice, Athens Midnight Radio, The Kink (world premiere), Diversion, Dogtooth, Rembetiko, Greek Mothers Never Die, Super Paradise, and The Palace. The program also pays tribute to Greek actor, writer and filmmaker Renos Haralambidis, whose work and charisma have made him a pillar of modern Greek cinema.

This year’s Melbourne schedule is broad. The festival runs from 14 to 26 October, with screenings at Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge.Titles span genres — features, documentaries, world premieres — and many include in-person Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

In announcing the program, Leo Vlahaki, Vice President of GCM and Chair of the Festival Committee, described the 30th anniversary as “a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Greece and Australia,” honouring the past and embracing the future of Greek storytelling.

On Kapetan Mihalis and Kazantzakis’ legacy

Kazantzakis’ Captain Michalis (Greek: Ο Καπετάν Μιχάλης) was first published in 1953 and translated into many languages under titles including Freedom or Death. The novel is often considered among his most personal works, drawing on memories of his father and life in Crete, and embedding Cretan idiom strongly in its narrative.

In the novel, Mihalis is unyielding in his vow to continue the fight for Crete’s freedom, even as forbidden love draws him into conflict with his deepest commitments.  The adaptation, then, carries heavy expectations: to balance epic sweep, internal dilemma and cultural resonance.

Director Haralambous insisted his film was made “with love and respect” for the original work, and that its conflicts remain “relevant to contemporary audiences.”

Over its 30 years, the Greek Film Festival has evolved from a niche cultural gathering to Australia’s largest Greek film event. It plays not only in Melbourne but also in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, connecting diaspora communities with Greek artistic currents.

Its role is both celebratory and curatorial: preserving classic works and introducing new voices. The 2025 edition especially leans into that dual identity — honoring classics from the festival’s archive while spotlighting premieres and emergent filmmakers.

The opening with Kapetan Mihalis is a statement. The novel has long held iconic status in Greek literature; adapting it now, at a landmark festival year, binds the cultural weight of Greece’s past with the diaspora’s cinematic present.

Audiences should keep an eye on certain screenings:

• Athens Midnight Radio (Australian premiere) is one of the year’s most anticipated new works.

• The Kink, with its world premiere during this festival, is another high-level draw.

• The retrospective of festival highlights offers an opportunity to rediscover or introduce films like Little England or Brides.

  
  

Learn more on the Greek film Festival website.

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