Maria Miles, president of the Hellenic Film Society, was the Master of Ceremonies on the opening night of the New York Greek Film Expo 2026. Photos Tony Barsamian.
The Hellenic Film Society presented their annual New York Greek Film Expo 2026. This tradition, which spans many genres of film and has been a cultural institution in New York for many years, always draws large audiences to the different venues that are part of the presentation. This year, opening night was Thursday, October 8th. The Film Society will continue the showings in the film expo until October 18th. There are several locations which will be showcasing the highlighted films. The Queens Gazette had a list in last week’s edition of the locations throughout the metropolitan area. This year’s launching of the 2026 film expo was emceed by the organization’s president, Maria Miles. The opening film was screened after the opening night reception on 57th Street in Manhattan. The first film known as the opening night screening was “Hold On To Me” at The Director’s Guild Theater on West 57th Street in Manhattan. As is often the case when the participants are available, there was an interactive Q&A with the audience regarding the film and multiple aspects of it. On the stage with the Hellenic Film Society’s president Maria Miles, who led the question-and-answer session, was the director of the film, Myrsini Aristidou and one of the stars of the film, Christos Passalis. Also accompanying them on the stage was the honorary host of the New York Greek Film Expo 26, Katia Goulioni. For more information, see the full-page ad in the Queens Gazette or go to www.hellenicfilmsociety.org
At the conclusion of the film, a question and-answer session was held regarding “Hold On To Me,” the opening night film that launched the 2026 New York Greek Film Expo presented by the Hellenic Film Society.
––Tony Barsamian