ABOUT THE HGFF

THE STAFF:


KOSTA PAPASIDERIS

Executive Director
email Kosta

ANASTASIA PAPASIDERIS

Managing Director
email Anastasia

PAULA VARSAMIS

Director of Operations
email Paula

MAX WEIMMER

Director of Marketing and Media
email Max

THE FILM FESTIVAL:


The Houston Greek Film Festival (HGFF) showcases new films from Greek and Cypriot filmmakers, producers and actors from Greece, Cyprus and the diaspora. Featuring both feature-length and shorts, the HGFF aims to promote Greek cinema to Houston and all of Texas and the Southwest!

Now in its 7th year, the Houston Greek Film Festival was founded in 2018 by current Executive Board members: Kosta Papasideris, Anastasia Papanicolaou Papasideris, Paula Varsamis and Maximos (Max) Weimmer. Initally, the HGFF was a project of GreekinHouston - a free online platform for Greek events and organizations in Houston (greekinhouston.com) - but after some time, the project grew too big and began taking steps as its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The HGFF consistantly brings its patrons the very best of Greek and Cypriot Cinema from all over the world, including all Greek/Cypriot candidates for the American Academy Awards. Past entrys of the Festival include POLYXENI, JAMAICA, KAZANTZAKIS, HOLY BOOM, 1968, THE SIEGE ON LIPERTI STREET, EFTIHIA, DIGGER, SMYRNA, MY BELOVED, and BLACK STONE just to name a few. See all of our past entrys and winners HERE. In addition to the directors, producers, writers and actors we all look to every year in the Greek-cinema world, because of their ever-growing world impact and recognition in film, the Houston Greek Film Festival focuses a lot of energy on cultivating the very best short films - and is lucky enough to be home to several young film makers and industry professionals. Look for the "home-grown" talent we make sure to include every year!

The HGFF Team is made up of:
(1) The Executive Board: Kosta, Anastasia, Paula & Max, whose bios you can read by clicking on their picture above.
(2) A group of extremly dedicated film screeners, called Judges/Jurors.
(3) Tireless, thoughtful, and amazing volunteers.

There's a lot of work, and help is always needed. Want to join our team? If you have an interest in helping, screening, judging, marketing, operations, whatever, email Anastasia.

THE ASTERI AWARD™


The Asteri Award™ The HGFF bestows the Asteri Award™ as its top prize in the following categories: Jury Awards for Best Feature and Best Short Film, and People's Choice for Best Film, Best Short, and Best Documentary. The award is a clear five-pointed star sitting on a blue rectangular base. Asteri (Αστέρι) in Greek means "Star," so seeing as the HGFF's home is Texas, the Lone Star state, it's fitting that the winners of each year's Film Festival receive an honor indicative of the patrons of this area. Finally, the blue base represents the blue of Greece's flag and beautiful waters.





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