The Hellenic Film Society (HFS) is set to spotlight emerging and established Greek-American filmmakers during its second annual “It’s Greek to Me” short film program, taking place on Sunday, May 17, at 3 PM at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Astoria, Queens.
Βy:Avgi Maria Atmatzidou
The special event continues HFS’s mission of promoting Greek cinema and expanding opportunities for Greek and Greek-American artists to share their creative work with audiences in New York and beyond. While the organization is widely recognized for showcasing films produced in Greece by Greek filmmakers, the “It’s Greek to Me” program focuses specifically on the growing Greek-American filmmaking community in the United States.
HFS President Mary Miles said the response from Greek-American filmmakers has been overwhelmingly positive and reflects the increasing strength of the community’s artistic presence.
“The Greek American film community has embraced our effort to highlight local talent, and we are happy to once again acknowledge the impressive work of this group of artists and offer them an opportunity to have their films screened at MoMI,” Miles said.
An independent panel of judges selected seven short films from a large number of submissions. This year’s featured filmmakers represent a diverse range of storytelling styles, themes, and cinematic perspectives, highlighting both personal narratives and broader cultural experiences.
The selected directors and films include:
- Konstantinos Karamaghiolis — Abel
- Freddy Barouh — ACT!
- Paul Cristo — Citizen B.C.E.: The Alphabet
- Julia Xanthos Liddy — Film Your Family
- Vassiliki Omirly — Marmelada
- Alexander Pagonis — As She Saw
- Caroline Vokas — Nereida
The event will take place at the Museum of the Moving Image, located at 37-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, a neighborhood long associated with New York’s vibrant Greek-American community. Organizers say the screening program aims not only to celebrate Greek-American creativity, but also to provide filmmakers with greater visibility and opportunities for professional growth.
Over the years, the Hellenic Film Society has become one of the leading organizations promoting Greek cinema in the United States. Through its popular “Always on Sunday” screening series at MoMI, HFS regularly introduces audiences to acclaimed Greek films, independent productions, documentaries, and contemporary cinematic voices from Greece and the diaspora.
In addition to year-round screenings, the organization also presents the annual New York Greek Film Expo every October, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world. The festival has become a significant cultural event for New Yorkers interested in international cinema and Greek storytelling traditions.
HFS also collaborates with several other major Greek film festivals across the country, including the Atlanta Greek Film Expo, the Chicago Greek Film Expo, and the South Florida Greek Film Festival. These partnerships continue to strengthen the visibility of Greek cinema throughout the United States while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.
The Hellenic Film Society receives major support from the Kallinikeion Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), along with additional backing from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Council, the New York City Tourism Organization, Microsoft, the Greek National Tourist Organization, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Antenna Satellite TV.
As interest in Greek and Greek-American storytelling continues to grow, events like “It’s Greek to Me” demonstrate the evolving role of diaspora artists in shaping contemporary cinema. By offering a platform for emerging voices and original storytelling, the Hellenic Film Society continues to strengthen cultural ties between Greece, the Greek diaspora, and audiences throughout the United States.
For film enthusiasts, members of the Greek-American community, and supporters of independent cinema, the May 17 screening promises an afternoon celebrating creativity, heritage, and the next generation of Greek-American filmmakers.
