FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The South Florida Greek Film Festival (SFGFF), organized by the Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida (HCSSFL), returned this year for the third consecutive year, presenting a rich selection of films from Greece, Cyprus and the diaspora. Screenings took place from October 11-19, 2025 at the Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and the Bill Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami.
The opening night included the film "Stelios", a moving biography of legendary singer Stelios Kazantzidis, known for his collaborations with composers Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis and Vasilis Tsitsanis. Since its release in December 2024, the film has broken box office records and ranks among the most successful Greek productions of all time.
The event was held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Florida, in the presence of Consul General Mr. Konstantinos Danasis and his wife. The evening was hosted by CBS journalist Trish Christakis.
During the ceremony, the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale awarded a commemorative proclamation for the Festival's contribution to culture, which was received by Malvina Curry, president of the Greek Cultural Society and director of the Festival, along with sponsor Erico Cassar.
The other major sponsor, Theodore Pitsios, was unable to attend. Also present at the event was Russell Weaver, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities Association.
This year's program included, among others, the films "Meat", a dramatic thriller about a fatal land dispute (official selection of the Toronto Film Festival), "Guest Star", a satire on celebrity life, and "Little England" by the multi-award winning director Pantelis Voulgaris.
Spectator Impressions
Fort Lauderdale viewers expressed their enthusiasm for the quality and depth of the films.
"It's an excellent opportunity for us to see Greek films in Florida and every year more and more people discover it. And friends brought us some and we are grateful to them. Next year we will bring our children too. It's worth it. The film we saw was very interesting and realistic. It gave a reality to the family, the village and its people with disarming honesty," said Mr. George, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, who attended the screening. of the movie “Meat” at Savor Cinema.
"I was very moved by the film The Night Announcer because it reminded me of the era and because it was surprisingly romantic since it talked about lost loves and lost moments," added Ms. Stella, a resident of Miami, who attended the second weekend screenings.
The screenings gathered a wide audience: members of the Greek community, film fans and students interested in international cinema.
Thanks to Sponsors and Supporters
President Malvina Kari expressed her warm thanks to the sponsors and partners who supported the event, including: SouvlakiGR – Boyton Beach, Meraki GREEK BISTRO – Miami, Dr. Georgakakis, The corvette shop – VETTEXPERTS, Saint Dimitrios Greek School – Fort Lauderdale, EVIVA Greek market & Bakery – Hollywood, the NEXUS ELITE EVENTS, and Μrs Effie Antonatos from the Hellenic Bar Association. She emphasized that their support allows the organization to continue its work of connecting South Florida with contemporary expressions of Greek art and culture.
Open Invitation to the Community
Ms. Malvina Curry extended an open invitation to all Greeks in South Florida, as well as to those interested in Greek culture, to support, embrace and participate in the cultural activities and workshops for children and adults that the Society organizes throughout the year.
As he emphasized, through its events, educational programs and artistic collaborations, the Greek Cultural Society of South Florida seeks to cultivate unity and appreciation for Greek heritage in Florida's multicultural landscape.
