Legendary filmmaker Costa-Gavras will be honored at the LA Greek Film Festival whose 19th edition will be held over 6 days from May 27 to June 1, 2025.
The nonprofit organization brings films and filmmakers from Greece, Cyprus, and films about Greece to Southern California and the United States. The 11th Discovery Days forum, an opportunity for filmmakers, directors, writers and producers to workshop their feature film projects in Los Angeles, takes place from May 27 to June 1, 2025.
Since its inception, LAGFF has screened over 800 films by Greek filmmakers and hosted more the 700 filmmakers, reaching an audience of over 50,000.
“We are thrilled and honored to present the lifetime achievement Orpheus Honorary award to Costa-Gavras, the legendary icon of world cinema,” states LAGFF Artistic & Festival Director Aristotle Katopodis.
“His presence highlights LAGFF’s 19 years showcasing Greek cinema’s impact and aspirations worldwide. Culture, social issues, identity, dreams, and personal stories continue to inform the cinematic landscape that Greek and Cypriot filmmakers choose to explore.
“Strong collaborations with ELMA, UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center, American Cinematheque, Loyola Marymount University, and California State University at Los Angeles underscore our commitment to education in the rich cinematic profile of Southern California.”
On Opening Night, May 28, LAGFF presents renowned Greek-French filmmaker Costa-Gavras the 2025 Honorary Orpheus Award at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
The red-carpet event features a screening of Costa-Gavras’ powerful film “Z”, released in 1969, based on the novel by Vassilis Vassilikos about the real-life 1963 story of the assassination of Grigoris Lambrakis. Z won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Film Editing, and the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and Best Actor Award.
The multi-event tribute celebrating Costa-Gavras lifetime achievements will be presented by European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA.org).
“Co-presenting this tribute to the Franco-Greek Maestro Costa-Gavras allows me to express my profound admiration for a filmmaker who captivated audiences while exploring controversial political issues”, explains ELMA Founder Pascal Ladreyt.
“His ability to combine storytelling with truth-telling continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide. I am honored to introduce his films to a younger generation whose voices we need to hear as much as ever.”
On May 31, UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture will present the West Coast premiere of the new Costa-Gavras film LAST BREATH (LE DERNIER SOUFFLE) at the James Bridges Theater, followed by an in-person conversation with the director. Following the Festival, American Cinematheque will screen a selection of Costa-Gavras films in collaboration with LAGFF.
LAGFF Co-founder Ersi Danou states, “Honoring Costa-Gavras with an Orpheus Award is an extraordinary moment of acknowledgement and celebration of an auteur who has not only greatly contributed to the Greek and the French cultures but to the art of cinema in general and to a global understanding of freedom and justice.”
· May 22 – Hollywood Scene & Be Seen Bash, with live entertainment, The Godfrey Hotel
· May 27 – Cyprus/Greece film premieres at Saint Sophia’s Gianopulos Family Theater
· May 28 – Red Carpet Opening Night, Costa-Gavras Tribute, Reception, Egyptian Theatre
· May 29-31 – Theatrical screenings/ Live Q&As at Sunset 5, West Hollywood
· May 29-31 – Panels and Industry Events
· May 31 – Filmmaker Brunch (exclusive) at the LAGFF Lounge, Sunset 5
· May 31 – West Coast Premiere of “Last Breath” and In-Person Conversation with Costa-Gavras at UCLA, the James Bridges Theater
· June 1 – Red Carpet Closing Night Gala/Orpheus Awards, Harmony Gold, Hollywood
· June 1 – Discovery Days auditing
· June 2 & 8 – American Cinematheque collaboration, Costa-Gavras film screenings
· June 2-8 – Virtual film screenings
LAGFF Tickets & Gold Pass Available by following the link here
