The New York Greek Film Expo 2026, presented by the Hellenic Film Society, will have its New York Premiere Thursday, October 8 with Hold Onto Me (???ta ?e), the winner of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for World Cinema Dramatic Competition and Cyprus' first official submission to the Oscars for consideration in the Best Foreign Film category.
Hold Onto Me follows 11-year-old Iris, who is determined to reconnect with her estranged father after he returns to Cyprus for his own father's funeral. Her efforts to bring him back into her life slowly develop into a fragile bond.
The film was written and directed by Myrsini Aristidou and stars Maria Petrova, Christos Passalis, Jenny Sallo, Aulona Lupa and Andreas Koutsoftas.
Maria C. Miles, President of the Hellenic Film Society, says, "The Hellenic Film Society tries to bring the best of Greek cinema to its audiences every year. This year, I think we have a very special lineup of twelve films to take center stage at the New York Greek Film Expo. Kicking off the Expo is Myrsini Aristidou's debut feature film, Hold Onto Me. It is a masterfully written and directed film with magnetic performances by Christos Passalis and Maria Petrova. It mesmerized Sundance audiences and I'm certain our New York audience will be equally besotted."
OPENING NIGHT — THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
The evening begins with an Opening Night Reception at 5:00 p.m. at Acadia Restaurant, located at 101 West 57th Street, New York, NY.
The Opening Night screening of Hold Onto Me begins at 7pm at the DGA Theater, 110 West 57th Street in Manhattan. The film is in Greek with English subtitles and will be followed by an audience Q&A with Myrsini Aristidou, writer and director, and Christos Passalis, lead actor.
Opening Night tickets are available for the film screening only. The reception is sold out. Tickets are available online at HellenicFilmSociety.org.
The New York Greek Film Expo runs October 8-18, 2026, presenting the latest in Greek cinema along with special events, filmmaker appearances and audience discussions at venues throughout New York City and New Jersey.