The 20th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Expands Program With 56 Films, Collaborations & Red Carpet Celebrations
Event Schedule
The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) announces its 20th edition will be held over 6 days from May 26 through May 31, 2026. The nonprofit organization continues its mission of showcasing films from Greece and Cyprus, alongside stories inspired by Greek culture, to audiences across Southern California and the United States. The 12th Discovery Days story & pitch lab offers filmmakers, writers, directors, and producers a platform to develop and workshop feature film projects and takes place from May 28 to May 31.
The landmark 20th edition offers 56 films: 20 features, 21 shorts, and 15 animated films, including Sundance 2026 World Cinema Audience Award winner “HOLD ONTO ME”, the Greek box office hit “BROKEN VEIN”, sports drama “PATTY IS SUCH A GIRLY NAME”. Also featured are Europa Cinemas Label Award at Venice “BEARCAVE”, horror experimental “THEY COME OUT OF MARGO” and the physical comedy “BEST FRIENDS FOREVER”.
“LAGFF is proud to celebrate our 20th year and extend our gratitude to Netflix, the Egyptian Theatre team, and the American Cinematheque as we join forces to create unforgettable evenings for our communities,” — Aristotle Katopodis, Artistic & Festival Director
On Opening Night May 27, LAGFF presents the West Coast premiere of Giorgos Georgopoulos’ film, “PATTY IS SUCH A GIRLY NAME” which received five awards at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Upbeat and youthful, the film follows Daphne, a teenage judo athlete from a remote Greek island, who is ready to spread her wings with the help of Sensei Yuri, aiming to take part in the next Olympic Games.
Filmmaker Georgopoulos will be in attendance.
LAGFF Opening Night will include a remembrance tribute to Academy Award-winning Production Designer Constantine “Dean” Tavoularis, considered one of the greatest and most respected artists in the seventh art. LAGFF Opening Night is presented by Netflix.
On May 31, LAGFF Closing Night & Orpheus Awards are in collaboration with the American Cinematheque and will feature “HOLD ONTO ME” by Myrsini Aristidou at the Egyptian Theatre with the director in attendance. The film is about 11-year-old Iris running wild through the streets with her older friend Danae when she learns that her estranged father, Aris, is back in town for his own father’s funeral. Determined to get to know him, Iris tracks him down to a dilapidated shipyard, where he’s been keeping to himself. What begins as a stubborn attempt to reconnect slowly unfolds into a fragile bond, imperfect yet poignant.
Opening and Closing Nights will include red carpet premieres and receptions in the Egyptian Theatre courtyard, featuring refined Greek cuisine from Petros Restaurant.
For 20 years, LAGFF has been a cultural bridge connecting Greek filmmakers with global audiences. This milestone reflects the passion and dedication of our community and supporters,” — Ersi Danou, LAGFF Co-Founder
Signature Events (partial list)
• Tuesday, May 26 – Pre-Opening Night Screening (venue TBA)
• May 26–31 – Theatrical Screenings
• Wednesday, May 27 – Red Carpet Opening Night, Tavoularis tribute, Reception, Egyptian Theatre
• Thursday, May 28 – Hollywood “Scene & Be Seen” Bash, Rooftop Godfrey Hotel Hollywood • Sunday, May 31 – Closing Night, Orpheus Awards Celebration, Reception, Egyptian Theatre • TBA – Panels & Industry Events
• Saturday, May 31 – Filmmaker Brunch (invite-only)
• TBA – Discovery Days Auditing
• TBD – Virtual Screenings
Tickets & Access
Individual Tickets and schedule information coming soon.
Gold & Platinum Passes for All Films, programs and Events - Here
Key Sponsors & Supporters
Festival Benefactor:
G.P. Kolovos & Associates & The Kolovos Family
Major Supporters:
Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, Department Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles (DCA), EKKOMED, Egyptian Theatre, Petros, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, European Languages & Movies in America (ELMA), Greek National Tourism Foundation, and Earth Friendly Products (ECOS).
Additional Supporters Include:
Getty, Elios Charitable Foundation, ERTFLIX, EPT, ERT World, ANT Satellite & The Antenna Group,
Alexander Payne, Aris Anagnos Charitable Trust, Gibson Dunn/Theane Evangelis, Jim Gianopulos, Dr. Stephen & Dr. Anna Yallourakis, West Coast Investors, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Kary Antholis, The Avra Group, and the Siafaris Family.
LAGFF also extends gratitude to the Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles and the Honorable Andreas Kyprianides, Honorary Consul General of Cyprus.
