The 13th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) wrapped up on Sunday, June 9 with a glamorous closing gala at the iconic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The West Coast premiere of Nikos Labot’s “Her Job” was followed by the annual Orpheus Awards Ceremony and special reception in the theatre’s courtyard.
Festival Director Aris Katopodis opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to guests that included filmmakers, industry professionals, VIPS and dignitaries. Guests enjoyed Good Greek Grill, Georgos Wine, Pietris Bakery, Bakersland, and Sugarista and danced to Dimitris Mann and The Greek Rebetiko Trio.
Emmy-nominated casting director and producer Valorie Massalas was the 2019 Orpheus Award Honoree, receiving a standing ovation. The longtime LAGFF Advisory Board Member co-produced and cast the critically acclaimed film Gods and Monsters, nominated for three Academy Awards. Oscar-winning actor and 2018 Orpheus Honoree George Chakiris presented the award to Ms. Massalas.
“There were so many incredible films and talent this year,” commented Katopodis. “Our distinguished jury panel looked at the films very closely. The awards, especially audience ones, were very close.”
The 2019 LAGFF Winners are: Best Feature Film: Pause by Tonia Mishiali
Special Feature Jury Award: Still River by Angelos Frantz Best Documentary Film: Olympia by Harry Mavromichalis Special Documentary Jury Award: Obscuro Barroco by Evangelia Kranioti Van Vlahakis Best Short Film: I Am Mackenzie by Artemis Anastassiadou Best Director: Maria Lafi for Holy Boom Best Performance: Marisha Triantafyllidou for Her Job Audience Award for Feature Film: 1/2 New Year directed by Tom Morash Audience Award for Documentary: Obscuro Barroco by Evangelia Kranioti Audience Award for Short Film: Flickering Souls Set Alight by Iakovos Panagopoulos
The IPDF Winners: IPDF Award: Elina Psykou, Patrimonial Fears and other symptoms Honorable Mention: Telemachos Alexiou, The Voice of an Angel MFI Scholarship: Cat Papadimitriou, Zagorohorror
LAGFF is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization and open to all filmgoers and patrons of the arts. www.lagff.org
@lagff #LAGFF2019
Photos by Steve Sasaki/Urbanite Media
