Fort Lee will once again take center stage in the world of international cinema as the New York Greek Film Expo arrives at the Barrymore Film Center on October 7 and 8, 2025.
Presented by the Hellenic Film Society USA, the two-day showcase in New Jersey is part of a broader 11-day festival running October 2 through October 12 across Manhattan, Astoria, and Fort Lee.
The festival is designed to bring contemporary Greek cinema to audiences throughout the New York metropolitan area while highlighting the cultural connections between Greece and the region’s large Greek-American community. Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Center, with its deep ties to the history of American film, makes for a fitting venue to host part of this international event.
The Fort Lee Screenings
Film lovers in New Jersey will be treated to two evenings of acclaimed Greek films, each screened at 7:30 p.m. at the Barrymore Film Center. All films will be presented in Greek with English subtitles, making them accessible to both Greek-speaking audiences and those experiencing these stories for the first time.
Tuesday, October 7
Film: Little England (2013)
Director: Pantelis Voulgaris
Storyline: Adapted from Ioanna Karystiani’s celebrated novel The Jasmine Isle, this sweeping period drama follows two sisters whose lives become entangled when they fall in love with the same man. The film blends themes of passion, betrayal, and family duty in a richly atmospheric portrait of mid-20th century Andros, one of the Cycladic islands.
Wednesday, October 8
Film: Meat (2024)
Director: Dimitris Nakos
Storyline: This bold contemporary drama tells the story of a father forced to confront unthinkable choices after his son commits a violent crime. Tense, raw, and uncompromising, the film examines morality, sacrifice, and the extremes of parental love. Due to its subject matter, the screening is recommended for mature audiences.
The Larger Festival Experience
The Fort Lee screenings are part of the expansive New York Greek Film Expo, which opened October 2 with the U.S. premiere of Murphy’s Law at Manhattan’s Directors Guild Theater. Over the following days, audiences in Manhattan and Astoria have the chance to view both premieres and retrospectives.
Highlights include:
- October 3–5, Manhattan (Village East Cinema): New releases from Greece were introduced to audiences with filmmakers present for Q&A sessions.
- October 10–12, Astoria (Museum of the Moving Image): The festival concludes with a retrospective celebrating master director Pantelis Voulgaris. The legendary filmmaker will also receive the Hellenic Film Society’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
While Q&A discussions with filmmakers are not scheduled for the Fort Lee screenings, director Dimitris Nakos, whose Meat will be shown locally on October 8, participated in a lively audience discussion after the Manhattan showing earlier in the week. Other directors and actors, including Angelos Frantzis, Katia Goulioni, and Andreas Konstantinou, were also part of Manhattan and Astoria programs, offering audiences deeper insight into Greek cinema’s artistry.
Fort Lee’s Place in Film History
Hosting a segment of the Greek Film Expo continues Fort Lee’s legacy as a cornerstone of filmmaking. Before Hollywood rose to prominence, Fort Lee was known as America’s first motion picture capital. The Barrymore Film Center, which opened in 2022, was built to honor that heritage while embracing contemporary and international film culture. By welcoming events such as the Greek Film Expo, the center reinforces Fort Lee’s identity as a vital hub for cinematic storytelling.
Connecting Culture Through Film
Events like the New York Greek Film Expo not only entertain but also foster cross-cultural dialogue, providing audiences with an opportunity to explore Greece’s modern identity, traditions, and global contributions to the arts. For New Jersey residents, the screenings in Fort Lee are a chance to engage with international cinema without leaving the state.
For more cultural events and performances across New Jersey, visit Explore New Jersey’s Theatre Guide to discover what’s happening on stages and screens throughout the Garden State. Click here to visit the Hellenic Film Society USA.
