Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada Announces 2025 Film Awards

The Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada (GIFFT) proudly announced the winners of its 2025 Film Awards, celebrating excellence in Greek and Canadian cinema and recognizing filmmakers who continue to share powerful stories of culture, identity, and human resilience.

This year’s selections showcased exceptional talent and creativity, reflecting the diversity of the Hellenic spirit and its global influence. From emotionally charged dramas to inspiring documentaries, each film captured audiences with its artistry, storytelling, and vision.

WINNERS OF THE 2025 GIFFT FILM AWARDS

BEST SHORT CANADIAN FILM

ROTTEN — Directed by Telly Bitsakakis

A chaotic and thought-provoking drama exploring the fragile dynamics within a band and the timeless struggle between art and success. Rotten evokes themes of aging, creative compromise, and the relentless passage of time.

BEST SHORT INTERNATIONAL FILM

GOLDEN FINGERS — Directed by Fivos Kontogiannis

Set in 1960s rural Greece, this moving story follows a young gypsy boy’s fight against prejudice and hardship as he chases his dream of becoming one of the world’s finest clarinet soloists — a powerful testament to perseverance and hope.

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

WRESTLING WITH LIFE — Directed by Alexa Bogdanis

An inspiring portrait of Olympian and motivational speaker Shayne Smith, whose lifelong connection to wrestling helped him overcome personal adversity and find purpose both in and out of the ring.

BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

TACK — Directed by Vania Turner

This powerful documentary chronicles Greece’s #MeToo movement, following Olympian Sofia and survivor Amalia as they pursue justice and healing in a groundbreaking case that challenged a culture of silence.

BEST FEATURE FILM

MEAT — Directed by Dimitris Nakos

A gripping and modern tragedy, Meat confronts themes of loyalty, legacy, and revenge as a patriarch faces a devastating moral choice after a long-standing feud erupts in violence.

SPECIAL HONOURS

GIFFT LEGACY AWARD

Renos Haralambidis (Actor, Director, Producer)

For his significant and enduring contribution to cinema, and for his work in reflecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Greece through film.

FESTIVAL PINNACLE AWARD

Marianna Michalitsianou, Panagiotis Kantzios, and Dimitri Tsouchlakis

Presented to three remarkable individuals whose tireless dedication, creativity, and family spirit have elevated the festival experience for all. Their unwavering support behind the scenes has helped GIFFT continue to thrive and shine.

As GIFFT celebrates its fifth anniversary, the festival continues to honor its mission — promoting Hellenic culture through film, fostering artistic exchange, and inspiring future collaborations between Greek and Canadian filmmakers.

For more information about the Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada and upcoming screenings, visit www.gifft.ca  or follow @gifftcanada on social media.

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