The Life, Times, and Works of John Cassavetes, on the 90th year of his birth and the 30th year of his passing

Join us on Thursday, December 12 at the 3 West Club (3 West 51 St.) at 6 P.M. for EMBCA’s, in Association with the Hellenic Film Society USA, AHEPA and HAP at Queens College, “The Life, Times, and Works of John Cassavetes” Panel Discussion, on the 90th year anniversary of his birth (December 9, 1929) and the 30th year of his passing.

The well known illustrious panel will include among others panel Moderator George Stephanopoulos an Independent Producer and Media Attorney and panelists Author Nicholas Alexiou, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Hellenic American Project at Queens College ; Author Foster Hirsch, Professor of Film at Brooklyn College ; Independent Film Director, Screenwriter, Editor, Actor and Novelist John Sayles ; and Actor, Producer, Film Maker George Zouvelos Past President of Cassavetes’ AHEPA Chapter #186. The program will include an introduction and remarks by Louis Katsos EMBCA President and AHEPA Governor and Hellenic Cultural Commission Chairman, with remarks by James DeMetro Director of the Hellenic Film Society USA.

John Nicholas Cassavetes / Ιωάννης Νικόλαος Κασσαβέτης (12/ 9/ 29 – 2/ 89) was a well known Hellenic American actor, film director, and screenwriter and regarded by many as the father/ progenitor of American independent film. He was involved in his career in every aspect of the film, television, and stage arts, including acting, directing, scoring, shooting, editing, producing, and marketing. Notably he was one of the few filmmakers in the history of the Academy Awards to be nominated for directing, and writing awards. He wrote and directing over a dozen movies and pioneered the use of improvisation and a cinéma vérité style. He also acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary’s Baby (1968) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). He studied acting with Don Richardson, utilizing an alternative technique to method acting which privileged character over traditional narrative.

Born in New York and raised in Long Island John Cassavetes’ early years were spent in Hellas and which contributed to a life long linkage with Hellenism and the Hellenic American community. He was a member of the AHEPA Astoria Hermes Chapter #186 , which at the time was the largest AHEPA Chapter, along with Telly Savalas.

The event is part of AHEPA’s Hellenic Cultural Commission/ Seraphim Canoutas Lecture Series with the AHEPA Empire State District and AHEPA Astoria Hermes Chapter #186.

George Stephanopoulos


George Stephanopoulos is an independent producer and media attorney based in New York. He currently serves as Special Counsel, Senior Advisor to Group Nine Media, Inc., a digital first media company that consists of four mission-driven, category-leading brands across food, drink and travel (Thrillist), news and entertainment (NowThis), animals and activism (The Dodo) and science, tech and exploration (Seeker). His film credits include Swing Away (2017), Bereave (2015), Second City’s Buzzkill (2012) and Golf in the Kingdom (2010).
Author Nicholas Alexiou


Nicholas Alexiou was born in Volos, Greece, where he studied economics. He has received an M.A. degree (Sociology Dep’t, Queens College, CUNY), and a Ph.D. (Sociology Dep’t, Graduate Center, CUNY). He has taught in the Department of Sociology at Queens College, CUNY, since 1990, and he has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. His fields of interest are social and political sociology, ethnic studies and research.

He has established the first Archive – Library – Museum, for the Greeks of New York, and he is the Director of Research of the Hellenic American Project (HAP), at Queens College.

Also, a contemporary poet, he is the author of six books of poetry, and many of his poems have been published in Greek and American journals and anthologies.
He is a member of the Greek Authors Association, Greece, and the Greek American Writers Guild Association, NY.

Author Foster Hirsch


Foster Hirsch is the author of sixteen books on subjects related to theatre and movies. A native of California, Hirsch received his B.A. from Stanford University, and holds M.F.A, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University. Hirsch joined the English Department of Brooklyn College in 1967, and in 1973 became one of the first professors to join the school’s newly established Film Department. He has also been associated with the Pine Bluff Film Festival since its inception in 1994.
John Sayles


John Sayles is a storyteller of renown. Beloved among his 18 films are EIGHT MEN OUT, THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH, and LONESTAR. Twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Sayles has been honored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Writers Guild of America (WGA), Modern Language Association (MLA), American Studies Association (ASA), and American Historical Association (AHA) for his authentic depiction of history and community. He is considered one of the godfathers of the US Independent Film movement.
George Zouvelos


George C. Zouvelos is, and has served as an Emmy Award Judge for the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is the Executive Producer of Fiat Lux Pictures and Film Studios in New York city, as he is an award Winning Actor, Producer, and Filmmaker. George is the Executive Producer, Actor for the Award Winning Film ‘Definitely Soy’ which has garnered international acclaim for, Winner Best Actor ‘George Zouvelos’ (in Bollywood), Winner Best Film (in Rome), Winner Best Director (in Los Angeles), Winner Best Screenplay (in London), and Winner Best Producer (in India).

Zouvelos’ new television Series he is a producer is featured on Amazon Prime as featured exclusives going on the second season called, “‘New Dogs Old Tricks”.

George is a Producer for Award Winning Documentary ‘Mount Olympus the Creation. He is also a Creator and Writer Film ‘Once a Week For Life’. Also, the writer for television Series ‘Man on the Streets, New York City Eats’; and, as character actor who has appeared on numerous prime-time television series such as Quntico, Sweetbitter, Bull and Gotham etc. on CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, Showtime, Hulu,Netflix and Amazon Prime.


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