3rd Greek Film Festival of Los Angeles: June 25th-28th 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA, June 30, 2009 – The 3rd annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) announced its award winners with GUINNESS directed by Alexis Kardaras as the winner of the Orpheus Award for Best Feature. Dimitris Athiridis' T FOR TROUBLE AND THE SELF ADMIRATION SOCIETY was selected as Best Documentary And Nikias Chryssos' THE GRANDFATHER as Best Short Film. Special Jury Commendations were given to Constantina Voulgaris' VALSE SENTIMENTALE in the feature category, Adam Schmedes' CHAMELEON BEACH in the documentary category and Stefan Georgiou's WE CALL HER DAISY in the short film category. The Audience Award went to James Chressanthis' NO SUBTITLES NECESSARY: LASZLO & VILMOS

Patricia Kara of Deal or No Deal presided at the Closing Night Ceremony. Alexis Kardaras’ GUINNESS closed this year’s film festival. A young gambler, who is searching for a case of gold, comes upon an isolated tavern in the Greek mountains. The owner’s unhappy wife complicates his plan and perpetuates his spell of misfortune. Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks presented an Honorary Orpheus Award to Penelope Spheeris. Greece’s popular stage actress and playwright Mimi Denisi presented an Honorary Award to Deputy Ambassador to the UN
Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras accepted by his wife Margarita Mavromichali. Nia Vardalos, Jim Gianopulos, Marilu Henner, Alexis Georgoulis and Stratton Leopold also presented awards.

The opening remarks from Co-Founders and Directors Angeliki Giannakopoulos and Ersi Danou, and Greek Festival Representative Avra Georgiou kicked off the evening's festivities. The third year festival enjoyed enthusiastic audience attendance and full theatres throughout its four-day run, with screenings held at the Egyptian Theatre.