The 29th Greek Film Festival (GFF) in Melbourne reached its grand finale in style at the historic Astor Theatre on Sunday, October 27. Over the course of 12 days, film enthusiasts were treated to a diverse lineup of Greek feature films and documentaries, with over 7,000 tickets sold.
The Closing Night event was held concurrently at all four of the participating Palace Cinemas, with the historic Astor Theatre hosting the final night party. Guests were invited to come dressed in 70s attire, as the featured film – Gorgones kai Magkes – paid tribute to the iconic Greek actress Mary Chronopoulou, whose presence in classic Greek cinema has left an enduring legacy.
Chair of the organising committee Leonidas Vlahakis said: “The reason we chose to show Gorgones kai Magkes at the Astor is symbolic. This is the theatre where I first watched the movie as a young boy, and it brought back so many memories. It felt right to choose the Astor Theatre to pay tribute to one of the most significant actresses of the ’60s era, Mary Chronopoulou.”
After the heartwarming tribute and screening, the night was far from over. Guests joined a lively after-party with the popular Melbourne band Cats and the Canary. Their infectious tunes had the crowd dancing and celebrating well into the night to the upbeat sounds of 60s Greek music. The theatre was transformed as everyone celebrated the culmination of another successful festival.
Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), expressed his pride in the festival’s success and the overwhelming community support: “We are absolutely delighted to see so many members of our community here today to close the festival. We are very pleased with the ticket sales, which prove that our community is embracing this event more than ever. It shows that we are truly doing something right.”
The 29th Greek Film Festival once again underscored the strong connection between the Greek community and cinema, celebrating both cultural heritage and providing insight into contemporary Greek life.
As the curtains closed on this year’s festival, the GCM is already planning the 30th edition, promising even more exciting films, tributes, and cultural experiences for the community to enjoy.
