Farewell to Filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis

Internationally acclaimed film director, screenwriter and producer Michael Cacoyannis died yesterday, at 89.
The director of the award-winning films Zorba the Greek and Stella, Michael Cacoyannis was nominated five times for an Academy Award (Oscar), receiving the Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film nominations for Zorba the Greek and two nominations in the Foreign Language Film category for Electra and Iphigenia.
Most of his work is rooted in classical texts, particularly those of the Greek tragedian Euripides.
A pioneer of post-war Greek cinema and director of international hits, Cacoyannis refused a career in Hollywood, opting for ‘quality’ theater. In 2003, he founded the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation for the study and support of the film and theater arts.
You Tube: Awarded films: Stella (1954) with English subtitles & Zorba the Greek (1964) & The girl in black (1956) [VIDEO
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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Academy of Greek Filmmakers

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Costa Gavras, Michael Cacoyannis, Nikos Koundouros and Dinos Katsouridis are honorary members of the newly established Academy of Greek Filmmakers (December 2009).
The Academy – which includes members of the different professions related to filmmaking – will primarily assume the responsibility of bestowing awards for Greek productions.
The Greek version follows the example of other countries (U.S.A., Germany, Spain, etc.) where the Academy has established itself as an independent body with successful work in promoting local productions. Besides awards, the 108 founding members of the Academy of Greek Filmmakers will contribute to the international promotion of Greek cinema and filmmakers’ training.
Visit Greek Film Centre’ Digital Archive of Greek Cinema; Greek Film Centre: www.gfc.gr

Mediterranean Documentary Film Festival in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The 11th Mediterranean Documentary Festival will be hosted from September 6 to 9 at the Lavrion Technological Cultural Park. The festival is organized by the Association of Greek Film Directors and Producers. This year, the festival screens 26 movies from Greece, Italy, France, Israel, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Portugal and Palestine. In addition to the traditional sections of work, immigration, political documentary film, people and places, there will also be an eco section, thus inaugurating a collaboration with the eco festival EcoFilms. The festivall kicks off with “Cairo” (1991) in memory of the late Egyptian director Youssef Chahine. The festival will also screen “The band’s visit” by Eran Kolirin, a joint production by Egypt and Israel followed by a discussion moderated by Kolirin on behalf of the Greek Film Critics Association. This year’s parallel events include a concert by Thanos Mikroutsikos and an exhibition featuring film posters. The Mediterranean Documentary Festival is not based on competition and therefore includes movies which are selected on the basis of the mark they have left in their time.