30 Years of the Greek Film Festival in Australia
It’s hard to overstate the impact of the Greek Film Festival in Australia. For 30 years, it has brought Greek stories to Australian screens, wrapped in laughter, longing, politics, poetry, and sometimes chaos. For many of us, it’s the only time we hear our grandparents' dialect echoing through a cinema.
From 14 to 26 October 2025, the festival returns to Palace Cinemas in Sydney and Melbourne, marking its 30th anniversary with a program that spans the new, the nostalgic, and everything in between.
A cinematic celebration of Greek identity
This year’s edition celebrates the depth and diversity of Greek storytelling. Expect a fresh wave of independent Greek films alongside a specially curated retrospective program that looks back on iconic moments from the past three decades.
One highlight is the return of The Flea, the sweet, sharp family film that opened the very first Greek Film Festival in 1995. For those who remember it, this is a full-circle moment. For new audiences, it’s a chance to see where it all began.
Festival firsts and memorable moments
Over the years, this festival has made its mark. The packed screening of Dogtooth in 2010. The standing ovation for Little England in 2014. That one year when Polyxeni had such a buzz it sold out before the program even hit the streets.
In 2025, the retrospective offers a rare opportunity to revisit films like these, works that shaped not only Greek cinema but also how Greek-Australians see themselves on screen.
Opening nights in Sydney and Melbourne
The festival launches with its Opening Night Galas on Tuesday 14 October, with red carpets, speeches, and a mystery premiere film that is still under wraps. If past years are anything to go by, we are expecting something thought-provoking, beautifully shot, and very, very Greek.
Opening night is always more than just a film. It is where the community gathers, glasses clink, and generations meet in the foyer. If you're new to the festival, it is the perfect introduction.
From two cities to six
For the first time, the Greek Film Festival Australia is expanding across the country. In addition to Sydney and Melbourne, screenings are planned in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth from late October to early November.
This wider rollout means more Australians can experience Greek culture through film, and more diaspora communities can reconnect with the stories that made them.
What’s on beyond the screen
The festival is not just about sitting in a dark cinema. Over the years, we have seen post-film director Q&As, foyer conversations that turn into debates, and even the occasional ouzo tasting.
Details for 2025 are still unfolding, but we are hoping for filmmaker panels, cultural events, and that same feeling of being part of something meaningful.
Why it matters
“Reaching our 30th anniversary is a testament to the enduring power of Greek cinema and the unwavering dedication of our community,” says Nia Karteris, Festival Chair of the Greek Festival and Greek Film Festival of Sydney.
“We are incredibly proud of the history we have built, and this year’s program reflects that beautifully.”
In Melbourne, Jorge Menidis, Director of the Antipodes Festival and the Greek Centre of Contemporary Culture, adds:
“This festival has always been about connection. About sharing Greek stories with honesty and pride. This year’s program will entertain, challenge and inspire.”
Greek cinema has never just been about film. It is about identity, language, memory, migration and family. This year, that feels more relevant than ever.
Festival info
What: 30th Greek Film Festival
When: 14–26 October 2025
Where: Palace Cinemas – Sydney and Melbourne
More cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth (late Oct to early Nov)
Website: www.greekfilmfestival.com.au
