EXCLUSIVE: After posting record box office figures in Greece, Stelios, a biopic of the revered Greek musician Stelios Kazantzidis, is heading stateside for a theatrical release via Firestorm Entertainment.
Firestorm will release the flick in theaters across the U.S. and Canada from May 9th.
Directed by Yorgos Tsemberopoulos and produced by Tanweer Productions, Stelios stars Christos Mastoras, lead singer of the band Melisses, as Kazantzidis. Since its release in Greece in December, Stelios has passed 920,000 admissions, quickly climbing the local charts to become the fourth highest-grossing Greek film of all time.
The film explores Kazantzakis’s unique life story, from his childhood as a Pontus refugee to his start in the music business and how he became one of Greece’s most beloved artists. Best known for his tunes which mixed Greek rebetiko and laïko traditions, Kazantzakis was regarded as the voice of the people. His songs often explored themes of love, migration, and resilience.
Such was his quiet yet global popularity, Frank Sinatra is often quoted to have said of Kazantzidis: “If Stelios Kazantzidis had been in the United States, he would have had a bigger career than me.”
Stelios is co-produced by Aegean Oil, Finos Film, Cosmote TV, Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center- Creative Greece, Stardust Effects, and Black Orange, with sponsorship from Custom Productions, DEI, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and the Hellenic Healthcare Group.
In addition to opening in the US and Canada, Stelios is set for theatrical release in the United Kingdom (Two Fresh), Germany, Switzerland and Austria (Kinostar), the Netherlands (Kinepolis), Turkey (The Moments Entertainment), Australia (Palace Cinamas), Israel (Tulip Entertainment), with deals being set for South Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.
“Stelios Kazantzidis is not just a musician – he is a voice of resilience, hope, and passion that has defined Greek culture for generations,” Tsemberopoulos said in a statement. “This film is a tribute to his legacy, and we are thrilled to share it with audiences around the world.”
Firestorm Entertainment is the theatrical distribution label founded and run by industry veterans Amorette Jones, Evan Saxon, and Joe Garel — the distribution and marketing team behind the hit Filipino drama Hello, Love, Again.
Producer Dionyssis Samiotis added: “The overwhelming response in Greece proves the lasting impact of Stelios Kazantzidis’ music. His voice spoke to the soul of the nation, and this film captures his incredible journey.”
