The NYCGRFF’s mission is to promote Greek filmmaking in the U.S. Its program of events in selected venues in New York includes films produced or co-produced in Greece and Cyprus, as well as, as of this year and in an online only section, non-Greek films that have an element of Greekness such as a Greek story (on a social or historical level); or a Greek (or of Greek origins) director; or Greek actors in the main cast; or Greek artists and professionals in main technical aspects; or film locations mainly in Greece; or funding from Greek sources.

The NYCGRFF continues its successful course for the thirteenth year by setting new goals for an even stronger international presence. Starting this year, the NYCGRFF will introduce an international section that will run online only. International features, documentaries and short films with a main element of Greekness (as mentioned above) will be included, as well as exclusively international short films (both fiction and documentaries).

While our primary mission remains to promote Greek filmmaking in the U.S., we look forward to creating new opportunities for international co-operations, on both technical and artistic levels, among all participating filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

Greek Film Festival Awards:
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best New Director
Best Short Film

-All awards (except for Best New Director) are audience awards, selected by audience voting during the festival, and are accompanied by a cash prize.

Online International Film Festival Awards:
Best Greek-Related International Feature (Fiction or Documentary)
Best Greek-Related International Short (Fiction or Documentary)
Best International Short (Fiction or Documentary)

-Films will be watched and evaluated from a festival-selected jury of professionals before the Greek Film Festival.

Eligibility requirements:
1. Only films produced in 2019 or 2018 will be admissible.
2. Only Greek films that have not been screened prior to the NYCGRFF dates at a Greek-related film festival or event within the state of New York will be admissible.
3. All films (except for English-speaking) must have English subtitles
4. Entrant must confirm and warrant legal rights to all music, images and content of the entry.

-Greek films refer to Greek and Cypriot productions or co-productions.

-For the online festival, Greek-related international features, documentaries and shorts must have at least one element of Greekness such as a Greek story (on a social or historical level); or a Greek (or of Greek origins) director; or Greek actors in the main cast; or Greek artists and professionals in main technical aspects; or film locations in Greece; or funding from Greek sources.
-The above is not a requirement for the exclusively international short films section of the online festival.

Submission Guidelines

Films must be submitted as online screeners, preferably on Vimeo, with a password.
Festival screening format is DCP. Other formats may be admissible depending on their digital quality.
One DVD backup is required.
All shipping costs are paid by the entrant.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thanks for your time very nice festival

    November 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Giorgi Thank you so much!
    We hope to have you at the festival next year!
    best wishes for your future!
    Maria Tzompanaki
    Director NYC Greek Film Festival

  • Anna Giannotis

    The New Greek Americans Screened at the New York City Greek Film Festival (Vid)
    By Eleni Sakellis October 24, 2019

    A Q&A session followed the screening of The New Greek Americans at the New York City Greek Film Festival. (Photo by Eleni Sakellis)
    NEW YORK – Produced by the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California and narrated by Olympia Dukakis, The New Greek Americans is a charming documentary which examines Greek community life from the turbulent years of the 1960’s up to today. Exploring the influence of each decade’s political events on various communities, especially in California, the film presents heartfelt and humorous stories about growing up Greek in the USA.
    The film was screened at The 13th Annual New York City Greek Film Festival on October 22, the final screening of this year’s festival, which wraps up with the closing ceremony on October 23.
    The New Greek Americans Trailer from Greek Heritage Society on Vimeo.
    Successful Greek-Americans from a variety of fields are highlighted as well as the community’s memorable moments of unity on the issues of religious freedom, civil rights, Cyprus, and philanthropy. The love for Greece, the language, culture and, of course, the food was clear among all those interviewed for the film. The question of how the younger generations, second and third generation Greek-Americans, are continuing to keep the light of Hellenism burning brightly through many organizations and activities was also explored. The young people featured in the documentary offer a great deal of hope for the future and though aware that the community in the U.S. is changing, they appreciate their culture and heritage profoundly.
    Among the Greek-American celebrities in the film, Rita Wilson, Nia Vardalos, and John Stamos, who spoke about the Greek work ethic, noting that he continued to work in his father’s restaurant even after he was performing on TV in the long-running soap opera General Hospital. He would be recognized as he took orders for burgers, but that is how the Greek family restaurant business works.
    TV host and actress Debbie Matenopoulos held back tears as she spoke about her decision not to change her name when she was a co-host on The View. She remembered how hard her parents had worked as immigrants and how much they had sacrificed and wanting to make them proud when they saw the family name on the TV screen.
    Archbishop Iakovos marching with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Selma, Olympia Dukakis’ Oscar win, and her cousin Michael Dukakis’ run for president were also among the highlights of the film.

    The poster for The New Greek Americans at the New York City Greek Film Festival. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
    The audience applauded enthusiastically as the credits rolled and many noted the universality of the themes for not just Greeks in America, but all immigrant groups. Of course, many were especially proud of all the accomplishments of the Greek community.
    The film’s writer/director Anna Giannotis was among those present at the screening along with associate producer and Greek National Figure Skating Champion Dimitra Korri who also appears in the film, executive producer Shelly Papadopoulos, and cinematographer Philip Georgious participated in a Q&A session with the audience following the screening of the film. Greek actress Eirini Mo moderated the discussion.
    When asked what was the most challenging aspect of making the film, Papadopulos told The National Herald that securing the funding was a struggle, and technical issues also because they had started interviewing people many years ago, a great deal of footage was on videotape and had to be converted to digital.

    Left to right: AHEPA District 6 Director of Culture and Arts Vassilios Chrissochos, Greek National Figure Skating Champion and film associate producer Dimitra Kouris, executive producer Shelly Papapdopoulos, cinematographer Philip Georgious, and writer/director Anna Giannotis following the screening of The New Greek Americans at the 13th Annual NYC Greek Film Festival. Photo by Eleni Sakellis
    Giannotis, a native of Newport, RI, spoke about how she began her career as an actress working in regional theatres throughout the U.S. Based in New York City, she also began writing and producing plays during the mid-1980’s which led her to Los Angeles in the mid-1990’s. An opportunity to write, direct, and produce three documentary features for the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California launched her career as a documentarian. The first two parts of the series, The Pioneers and The Promise of Tomorrow, respectively, which highlight immigration, assimilation, and success of two Greek-American generations, have received several awards in international film festivals. The New Greek Americans, spanning the 1960’s to the present day, completes the trilogy. As an advocate of Arts-in-Education, Giannotis teaches film making, writing, and acting in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She has authored several plays for children and one-acts, continues to work as an actress for stage, film, and TV, and currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Bob Luna, an accomplished musician and composer who also composed the music for The New Greek Americans.
    More information about The New Greek Americans and the entire trilogy is available online:

    November 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Anna, it was an honor to have you and your movie at NYC Greek Film Festival!
    Thank you very much for your present and your professionalism!
    We wish you the best for the future.
    Looking forward to having news from you.
    best regards
    Maria Tzompanaki