SAN FRANCISCO – The 23rd Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival (SFGFF) wrapped up on March 21, following an impressive lineup of in person showings at Delancey Street Screening Room in San Francisco, and virtual screenings. A total of 33 films were screened: eight narrative features, nine short narrative films, and 16 documentaries – all by Greek and Cypriot filmmakers from around the world.
SFGFF audiences responded to surveys at every screening, making their voices heard to select the audience choice awards, known as the Astron Awards. A panel of 11 film/art industry professionals deliberated to bestow Jury Awards in three film categories, and four performance categories.
The 23rd annual SFGFF kicked off with an Opening Night celebration on March 14 at Delancey Screening Room in San Francisco. The evening featured a sold out film program, special guests, and a reception. Before the films, SFGFF Executive Director Kleon Skourtis, Modern Greek Studies Foundation President Peter Lagarias, and Consul General of Greece in San Francisco Grigorios Tassiopoulos, all welcomed the audience. Short film ΝΙΚΗ (or The Impossible Hope of Trying) screened, followed by the feature film Broken Vein. After the film, actress Anastasia Chatziathanasiou, who appears in Broken Vein, participated in a lively Q&A with moderator Alexandros Romanos Lizardos. After the film program, the opening night crowd moved into Delancey’s adjacent event space for a festive reception, where guests enjoyed bites and drinks while mingling with the special guests.
Rooster, directed by Tassos Gerakinis, took home the Astron Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival. Photo: Courtesy of SFGFF
Closing Night was held on March 21 also at Delancey Street Screening Room, with the short film Dust to Dust, and the feature Life in a Beat, and the latter’s director Amerissa Basta and writer Dimitris Nakos in person for Q&A after the film. Festival-goers then attended the Closing Night party with the awards announced during the reception.
Other distinguished guests also visited for the Festival, including filmmakers who participated in Q&As with the audiences. Film guests included Bearcave music director John Tournas, Rooster director Tassos Gerakinis and composer Ioannis Plastiras, and Change Makers producer Maggie Kaplan.
SFGFF acknowledges and thanks the following 2026 Festival Premiere Sponsors: Elios Charitable Foundation, Greek National Tourism Organization, Hellenic Republic Ministry of Greeks Abroad, John’s Grill, Kokkari, Eleven Eleven Winery, and KLEOS/The Mastiha Spirit.
The Astron Audience Award Winners
The Audience Favorite Narrative Feature was Rooster, directed by Tassos Gerakinis; 2nd place went to Life in a Beat, directed by Amerissa Basta; and 3rd place Don’t Laugh, They’ll See You, directed by Nicholas Dimitropoulos.
The Audience Favorite Short Film was Fuit, directed by Alexandros Chantzis; 2nd place went to Dust to Dust, directed by Dimitris Papathanasis; and 3rd place to Gekas, directed by Dimitris Moutsiakas.
The Jury Awards
Best Narrative Feature (awarded $1,000, underwritten by Nick & Athena Arvanitidis) went to Broken Vein, directed by Yannis Economides.
Best Female Performance in a Narrative Feature (awarded $1,000, underwritten by Courtney and Alexander Germanacos Pythia Fund) went to Daphne Patakia for her performance in Our Wildest Days.
Best Male Performance in a Narrative Feature (awarded $1,000, underwritten by Courtney and Alexander Germanacos Pythia Fund) went to Vassilis Bisbikis for his performance in Broken Vein.
Fuit, directed by Alexandros Chantzis, took home the Astron Audience Award for Favorite Short Film at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival. Photo: Courtesy of SFGFF
Best Narrative Short (awarded $500, underwritten by Kleon and Demetrios Skourtis in loving memory of their mother Katie) went to Gekas, directed by Dimitris Moutsiakas.
Best Female Performance in a Narrative Short (awarded $500, underwritten by Courtney and Alexander Germanacos Pythia Fund) went to Flomaria Papadakis for her performances in both NIKH and Prelude to a Supernova.
Best Male Performance in a Narrative Short (awarded $500, underwritten by Courtney and Alexander Germanacos Pythia Fund) went to Dimitris Drosos for his performance in Dust to Dust.
Best Documentary (awarded $1,000, underwritten by Dr. Alexi Exuzides) went to Change Makers.
Documentary Honorable Mention went to Valentinos.
SFGFF gives special thanks to all the 2026 jurors; for Narrative Feature: writer-director-producer-designer-lyricist-composer Nicholas Frangias, filmmaker and film instructor Paul Kmiec, film professor and author Philip Phillis, film industry professional Rita Roti; for Documentary: multimedia and special events pioneer babaLou, artist and film industry veteran Jerry Rosenblum, filmmaker and health care teacher Liza Xydis; for Short Film: New York City-based actor-singer-activist Eleanna Finokalioti, story and marketing consultant Laura Louden, film producer Henry Rosenthal, and musician and filmmaker Dale Sophiea.
More information is available online: https://grfilm.com/.