Los Angeles Greek Film Festival

What Los Angeles Greek Film Festival does

The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in June 2007 by filmmakers Ersi Danou and Angeliki Giannakopoulos, alongside documentary filmmaker Avra Georgiou, to provide Greek cultural representation in Los Angeles and connect Greek and Cypriot filmmakers with the American entertainment industry. Over twenty years it has screened more than 900 films, hosted more than 750 filmmakers, and served approximately 50,000 spectators across its programs. The core product is an annual festival featuring theatrical screenings at the Egyptian Theatre Hollywood, filmmaker Q&As, red carpet galas, the Orpheus Awards, and Discovery Days — a four-day film development lab for projects from Greece, Cyprus, Southern Europe, and the Balkans. In 2023 the organization launched the Global Greek Film Initiative (GGFI) to operate year-round industry programming, and in early 2026 it added LAGFF-doc, a three-day documentary festival produced with the Greek Documentary Association (HellasDoc) and Loyola Marymount University.

LAGFF's underlying technology is light: it uses the Eventive platform for virtual and ticketed screenings, Constant Contact for email marketing, and a standard content management system for its website. The organization has no proprietary software product, no mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Its distribution centers on the Egyptian Theatre as primary venue, with additional screenings at Saint Sophia Cathedral's Gianopulos Family Theater, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, and globally via Eventive virtual screenings. Since 2020 the virtual component has been retained alongside theatrical screenings, expanding reach to the Hellenic Diaspora worldwide.

LAGFF's business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack. Earned revenue comes from Gold Pass ($180) and Platinum Pass ($230) sales, FilmFreeway submission fees for Discovery Days, advertising packages, and tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from Benefactor down to Fan. Contributed revenue comprises tax-deductible individual donations (with a stated $1M fundraising campaign goal), corporate and family foundation giving (Kolovos Family, Onassis Foundation, Latsis Foundation, The Hellenic Initiative, EKKOMED), and government grants from the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the California Arts Council, the Greek Film Centre, and various Greek media sponsors including ERT, Antenna Satellite, and SKAI. GTM is event-driven and community-led: annual theatrical and virtual screenings anchor awareness, while partnerships with educational institutions (LMU, UCLA, USC, AFI, Sundance Institute) and Greek-American community organizations (Saint Sophia Cathedral, American Hellenic Council, Greek Heritage Society) drive sustained engagement. In 2024 LAGFF was selected as one of 11 organizations on the Greek Oscar selection committee — the only one based outside Greece — institutionalizing its role in Greek cinema's international awards pipeline.

Name

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival

Legal name

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival

Website

https://lagff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that annually showcases Greek, Cypriot, and international cinema in Los Angeles through theatrical screenings, the Orpheus Awards, and the Discovery Days film development lab, serving filmmakers, the Hellenic Diaspora, students, and industry professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival & Cultural Events

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAD

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYMPADAKAF

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

Keywords

• Greek film festival
• Film screenings events
• Filmmaker development programs
• Cultural film events
• Documentary film festival

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales and Passes: Gold Pass ($180) and Platinum Pass ($230) for theatrical screenings, galas, panels, and virtual screenings. Individual event tickets also available.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers include Benefactor, Co-Presenter, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Patron, Champion, Supporter, Friend, and Fan. Sponsors receive brand exposure through TV, print, radio, online press, website, social media, catalogue, and on-site events.
3. Individual Donations: 501(c)(3) charitable organization accepting donations. Gift annuity options available through accredited financial advisors. Goal of $1,000,000 fundraising campaign. Tax-deductible donations.
4. Film Submissions: Submission fees collected through FilmFreeway platform for Discovery Days program submissions.
5. Advertising: Digital and print advertising opportunities for brands targeting film-loving community, filmmakers, high net-worth individuals, and industry professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

LAGFF operates an annual film festival in Los Angeles showcasing Greek, Cypriot, and international films through theatrical screenings, filmmaker Q&As, red carpet galas, and the Orpheus Awards. It runs complementary programs including the Discovery Days film development lab, LAGFF-doc documentary festival, and the year-round Global Greek Film Initiative (GGFI), supported by ticket/pass sales, sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations.

Product overview

LAGFF operates as a multi-event film festival organization with a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering is the annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival featuring theatrical screenings, the Orpheus Awards ceremony, and filmmaker Q&As. Supporting programs include Discovery Days (film development lab), LAGFF-doc (documentary festival), and the Global Greek Film Initiative (GGFI). Ticketing is offered through Gold Pass ($180) and Platinum Pass ($230) tiers with varying benefits, while virtual screenings extend accessibility beyond the in-person event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LAGFF Annual Film Festival Annual multi-day film festival held in Los Angeles featuring theatrical screenings of Greek, Cypriot, and international films, live filmmaker Q&As, red carpet galas, panels, and the Orpheus Awards ceremony at venues including the Egyptian Theatre Hollywood.
• Orpheus Awards Annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in feature films, shorts, documentaries, and animations screened at LAGFF, with honorary tributes to cinema legends such as Dean Tavoularis and Alexandre Desplat.
• Discovery Days Film Development Lab Four-day film development lab inviting creative teams with ties to Greece, Cyprus, Southern Europe and the Balkans to workshop feature film projects in Los Angeles with guidance from LA-based film professionals. Awards a $1,000 Discovery Days prize plus travel and housing.
• LAGFF-doc Documentary Film Festival Three-day documentary film festival featuring 21+ documentary features and shorts highlighting important local and global contemporary issues, run in partnership with Hellasdoc and Loyola Marymount University.
• Global Greek Film Initiative (GGFI) Year-round strategic initiative promoting cultural exchange between Greece, the US, and the Hellenic Diaspora through crew-training workshops (PACT, Oxbelly/Faliro House), the OWL screenwriting workshop, the BRIDGES television script development program, and the annual Greek Film Festival Summit.
• Virtual Screenings (Eventive Platform) Online streaming of festival films via the Eventive platform, available to pass holders globally, enabling international diaspora access to Greek cinema beyond the in-person festival window.
• Gold Festival Pass $180 pass providing full festival access including all theatrical screenings/live Q&As, Opening Night Gala and Tribute, Cyprus/Greece film premieres, Filmmakers Brunch, Closing Night Gala/Orpheus Awards, panels, Discovery Days auditing, and virtual screenings.
• Platinum Festival Pass $230 pass providing all Gold Pass benefits plus two individual tickets to the Scene and Be Seen industry event with live entertainment.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Multi-tier corporate sponsorship program offering brand exposure across media, on-site signage, catalogue placement, and event visibility, with tiers including Benefactor, Co-Presenter, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Patron, Champion, Supporter, Friend, and Fan.
• Individual Donation / Fundraising Campaign Tax-deductible charitable giving program supporting LAGFF operations, with gift annuity options available through accredited financial advisors and a $1,000,000 fundraising campaign goal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Screened over 900 films and hosted more than 750 filmmakers over 20 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ELMA (European Languages and Movies in America)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2026Co-presenter of LAGFF. ELMA is an organization dedicated to the promotion of European Cinema in America. Pascal Ladreyt serves as ELMA Founder and LAGFF supporter.
• Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture (LACAC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLAGFF is supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture. California government grant recipient.
• City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProud recipients of support from the City of Los Angeles. Listed as partner for cultural affairs support.
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Classics & ArchaeologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2014, LMU students intern at LAGFF (15+ annually). Prof. Katerina Zacharia's course 'Representations of Greece' provides academic context. Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts Dean Dr. Richard Fox supports LAGFF-doc launch. 2026 partnership for LAGFF-doc documentary festival.
• Cal State LA (California State University Los Angeles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as educational partner. Department of Television, Film, and Media Studies collaborates with LAGFF.
• American CinemathequecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Costa-Gavras retrospective leading to robust partnership. Special screenings partnership for Greek cinema programming.
• Villa AlbertineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Alexandre Desplat tribute at 2026 LAGFF. French cultural organization supporting arts programming.
• HellasDoc (Greek Documentary Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to launch LAGFF-doc, a three-day documentary film festival. Inaugural edition in early 2026 included 21 features and shorts.
• Consulate General of Greece in Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince inception, LAGFF has been under auspices of Consulate General of Greece under General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy. Consul General Christina Valassopoulou hosts annual Filmmaker Brunch. Indispensable help in bridging local community with Greek nation.
• Consulate General of CypruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonorary Consul General Andreas Kyprianides has continuously supported LAGFF effort to promote Greek and Cypriot creators. Listed as Friend sponsor.
• Sundance InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational and cultural institution collaboration. Listed among institutions LAGFF has cultivated ties with and occasionally collaborated.
• Film IndependentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization collaboration. Listed among institutions LAGFF has worked with for film industry connections.
• Global Greek Film Initiative (GGFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round initiative launched in 2023, first envisioned by Board Member Lia Bozonelis. Connects American and Greek film industries, inspires and informs year-round. Includes crew-training workshops (PACT, Oxbelly/Faliro House), OWL screenwriting workshop, and BRIDGES television script development program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAAMFest: Center for Asian American Media's annual film festival held in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Comparable to LAGFF as a diaspora cultural film festival with similar nonprofit funding model, educational programming, and filmmaker development lab components.
• AFI Fest: Annual film festival presented by the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Comparable to LAGFF as an LA-based film festival with strong industry connections, filmmaker tributes, and multi-venue screenings, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Pan African Film Festival: Major cultural-ethnic film festival held annually in Los Angeles. Comparable to LAGFF as a diaspora-focused cultural festival operating in the same LA market with similar reliance on community sponsorships, government arts funding, and brand-driven audience development.
• Palm Springs International Film Festival: Major annual film festival held in Southern California. Comparable to LAGFF as a regional film festival in the same Southern California market with comparable reliance on local sponsorships and a multi-venue exhibition model.

Regional players

• Thessaloniki International Film Festival: Major annual film festival held in Thessaloniki, Greece. Comparable to LAGFF in Greek-cinema focus but operates in Greece rather than the U.S., serving as the natural upstream pipeline of Greek films that LAGFF screens in North America.

Emerging players

• DOC NYC: America's largest documentary festival held annually in New York. Comparable to LAGFF-doc as a documentary-focused festival with similar submission-fee and pass revenue models, providing a benchmark for LAGFF's expanding documentary programming.

Others

• American Cinematheque: Los Angeles-based nonprofit cultural organization operating the Egyptian Theatre and Aero Theatre for repertory and special screenings. Comparable to LAGFF as a programming partner (collaborated on Costa-Gavras retrospective) and overlapping nonprofit cinema ecosystem player in Los Angeles.

Direct peers

• New York Greek Film Festival: Greek film festival based in New York City serving the U.S. East Coast Hellenic diaspora. Directly comparable to LAGFF as a competing Greek-focused film festival competing for the same filmmakers, sponsors, and diaspora audience on the opposite coast.
• Chicago Greek Film Festival: Greek film festival based in Chicago serving the large Greek-American community in the Midwest. Directly comparable to LAGFF in mission, programming, and reliance on diaspora sponsorship and government cultural funding.
• San Francisco Greek Film Festival: Greek film festival based in San Francisco serving the West Coast Greek community. Directly comparable to LAGFF in size, regional scope, and programming model, competing for overlapping filmmaker pools and sponsors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lagff
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfakeIDHere
• Facebookfacebook.com/lagff
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-greek-film-festival
• Instagraminstagram.com/lagreeks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Greek Film Festival