NEW YORK, NY –
The Hellenic Film Society [HFS] in July 15 revealed the official concept poster and new identity for the 2025 New York Greek Film Expo, a richly layered, hand-illustrated collaboration between American-born Greek multidisciplinary artists Thoma Kikis and Tiffany Apostolou. Developed through Kikis’ New York-based studio TEKNIKE, the poster and identity establish its own visual experience, a cinematic homage to shared Greek heritage and NewYork’s cultural vibrancy, marking a milestone in the Expo’s history and signaling a bold new creative direction for the organization.
Hosted annually by the Hellenic Film Society, the New York Greek Film Expo is a marquee event celebrating the vibrancy of Greek cinema. The Expo features premieres, Q&As, and curated selections from top Greek filmmakers, connecting audiences in New York and beyond to the artistry of Greek storytelling.
At once nostalgic and contemporary, the hand drawn line art poster, has an architectural sketch style that unfolds as a multi-part visual composition set in and out of a classic film theater, flanked by the intricate New York skyline. This no ordinary composition: it’s a screen, within a screen, within a screen. At its center is a scene from an open-air cinema in Greece, with the Acropolis and Parthenon dramatically extruding from the frame onto the canvas. The viewer becomes part of the audience, seated among a crowd that reflects both New York and the Greek diaspora experience, symbolizing not only the setting, but as active participants in this global cultural dialogue.
“The idea was to create a portal,” said Thoma Kikis, founder of TEKNIKE and the concept originator. “I didn’t want this to be just a poster, but an invitation to step inside a story. The concept was to connect classic landmarks from Greece and New York City, as a new emotional icon, through the shared language of cinema. I wanted the poster art to holistically evoke the feeling of both a memory and a moment happening now and I think we achieved that.”
To expand and enrich the vision, Kikis invited Tiffany Apostolou to collaborate. “My own work is rooted in form finding details – illustration, architecture, and storytelling,” he said. “I noticed something special about Tiffany’s work and her sensibilities were completely in sync with mine as we shared a common visual language. Our collaboration was seamless and deeply rewarding, her sensitivity to nuance and atmosphere brought the piece to life with remarkable elegance and soul.”
“When Thoma reached out to me to collaborate on the poster design for the New York Greek Film Expo, and to help celebrate years of HFS’ cultural contributions, I was both deeply moved and excited,” said Apostolou. “Through the design, I wanted to express the fun and natural way in which HFS’s work interweaves Greece and New York. This is why you’ll see the beloved Ciné Paris in Athens with elements of the Acropolis, Plaka and Psyrri in its background that beg into merge with different neighborhoods of New York that flood the left and right sides of the poster. I hope everyone enjoys the design as much as I enjoyed the collaboration and making-of.”
Rendered in a refined palette of orange, black and white, the poster draws inspiration from classic line art illustration and the iconic aesthetic of The New Yorker covers. The final design is a composition that feels both timeless and contemporary, romantic yet architecturally grounded.
As part of this visual refresh, HFS also unveiled a new logo identity for the New York Greek Film Expo, also designed by Kikis, building upon the recent rebranding of HFS.
“Designing the New York Greek Film Expo logo was about expanding the visual language of the Hellenic Film Society in a way that speaks directly to the energy of the city and the event,” said Kikis. “The identity is a graphic ticket, an invitation to participate, to celebrate, to experience Greek cinema in a bold, modern way.”
“This artwork perfectly captures the mission of HFS,” said HFS President Maria Miles. “It reflects our dual focus, on preserving cultural memory and fostering innovation. Greek cinema continues to evolve, and so must the ways we present and celebrate it. This poster and the new logo are expressions of that evolution: warm, sophisticated, and deeply human. They invite new audiences to discover the emotional depth of Greek film, while honoring the community that has supported it for generations.”
HFS Founder and President Emeritus James DeMetro shared his enthusiasm about the initiative: “The launch of this new poster and identity is more than just a visual change, it’s a celebration of our evolution and a commitment to embracing new horizons. Our goal has always been to highlight the artistry and diversity of Greek filmmakers, and this visual artistry strengthens our ability to connect with audiences worldwide.”
The poster and new logo identity will serve as the signature visual for the 2025 New York Greek Film Expo, taking place October 2-12, 2025.
The Hellenic Film Society invites everyone to explore the new poster and logo identity for the New York Greek Film Expo and celebrate this exciting new milestone with us. Visit www.hellenicfilmsociety.org to learn more about our upcoming events and initiatives.
