Productivity Media’s “Here’s Yianni!” from Director Christina Eliopoulos Has World Premiere at Arpa International Film Festival

Film Receives Best Feature Film and Best Director Awards At Fest’s Closing Ceremony

The heartfelt, independent feature Here’s Yianni!, starring Joe Cortese, Julia Ormond, Kevin Pollak, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Roberts, Colleen Camp and Sofia Vassilieva had its world premiere as the Opening Night Gala feature presentation at the Arpa International Film Festival 2024 on October 25^th at Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood.

Writer and director Christina Eliopoulos, a first-generation Greek-American, helmed the full-length feature, which was inspired by a true story and adapted from her short film Tonight and Every Night, starring Joe Cortese, who originated the role.  In the film, Yianni (Cortese) and Plousia (Ormond), his wife of 40 years, own a charming Greek family diner by the beach, where Yianni is a convivial host.  But Yianni begins to suffer from dementia, imagining himself as a late-night TV talk show host putting his wife’s love to the ultimate test.  The film is a beautiful combination of comedy, drama, and true-to-life family heartbreak.

“A gladness, an affirmation fills the heart watching Joe and Julia portray this devoted couple,” said director Eliopoulos of her intimate family story. “Their performances are simply breathtaking, creating a portrait of a life-long love and the depths of a sorrowful reckoning. Joe and Julia, as Yianni and Plousia, inspire us to embrace every moment, love every moment, and remember every moment.”

The film is produced by Valerie McCaffrey, Joe Cortese, Colleen Camp, Jason Ross Jallet, and Doug Murray, while Productivity Media’s William G. Santor, John Hills and Andrew Chang-Sang serve as Executive Producers. McCaffrey also served as the film’s casting director. Remember to Remember,” penned by 14-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren, is sung by two-time Grammy-winning Train and the music of Lefteris Bournias and the Apollo Orchestras, acclaimed Greek musicians, contributed to the distinctive and stirring score composed by Forrest Gray.

Here’s Yianni!, which received Best Feature and Best Director prizes at Sunday evening’s awards ceremony, will go on to screen next month at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival on November 9^th, the Coronado Film Festival on November 10^th, and have its international premiere at the prestigious Torino Film Festival in Italy on November 26^th.