Yannis (2022)

Written, Directed, and Produced by James Elazzi

Synopsis:
Yannis is a raw and intimate portrait of culture, isolation, and resilience. The film follows Yannis, a first-generation Greek/Lebanese Australian teenager who has been pushed to the margins after being estranged from his family. Now living under a bridge and surviving as a sex worker, Yannis leans on his closest friend, Omar—who once shared his reality but is now trying to forge a different path. The film asks: where do we find refuge when home no longer holds space for us?

Starring:

• Will Bartolo as Yannis

• Edward O'Leary as Omar

• Simon El-rahi as Abdul

• Antony Makhlouf as Gentleman

• Joshua Shediak as Yannis' Brother

• Deborah Galanos as Dawn

James Elazzi on Yannis:

• “This film is not just about survival; it’s about finding hope when everything else seems lost. I wanted to tell a story about resilience, where even in the darkest of circumstances, human connection still has the power to ignite transformation.”

• “Yannis is a character who feels like he doesn’t belong anywhere. He’s been rejected by the very people who should have protected him. But through his struggles, I wanted to show that even in the most vulnerable of positions, there’s an undeniable strength to be found.”

Critical Acclaim:
Yannis has garnered significant attention for its bold exploration of marginalized identities, with several festival accolades.

Quotes from Reviews:

• “A striking portrayal of the loneliness and struggles faced by those at the intersections of cultural expectation and personal identity.” – Film Threat

• “A beautiful, haunting piece that captures the human cost of isolation, where the fight for survival becomes a fight for self-identity.” – LGBTQ+ Los Angeles Film Festival

• “Yannis offers a nuanced, often heart-wrenching perspective on love, identity, and belonging. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling in shedding light on lives often ignored by mainstream cinema.” – Pride Film Festival

Official Selection at Film Festivals:

• Pride Film Festival 2023

• Flickerfest Film Festival 2023

• Lebanese Film Festival 2022

• Canberra Short Film Festival 2022

• Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2023

• Lift Off Global Network First-Time Filmmakers Sessions Pinewood Studios 2022

• LGBTQIA+ Los Angeles Film Festival 2022

• Black Cat Award International Film Festival 2022

• Made In The West Film Festival Official Selection

• Lift Off Sydney Official Selection

• Omovie Film Festival Napoli 2022

• SydFest Independent Film Festival 2023

• Melbourne CINEVERSE Film Festival 2023

• Lebanese Independent Film Festival 2023

Awards and Nominations:

• Won Best Performance at LGBTQ+ Los Angeles Film Festival

• Made Out West Film Festival: Nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor

• Won Best Film Runner-Up at Made in The West Film Festival

• Won Best Lead Actor at Made in The West Film Festival

Cast & Creatives:

• Written, Directed, and Produced by James Elazzi

• Cinematographer: Nicolas Nalbandian

• 1st Assistant Camera: Tom Yi Zheng Xiao, James Bartlett, Owen Yang

• 2nd Assistant Camera: Helen Lee

• Gaffer: Kachlan Clarke, Genevieve Bernadette

• Sound Recordist: Dante Florez

• Editor: Alex Dona

• Production Designer: Amanda Torrisi

• Props Standby: Ally Vyner

• Costume Design: Tess Torrisi

• Costume Standby: Amy Jackson

• Sound Designer: Sam Strachan

• Original Score: Paul Nicolaou

• Colourist: Nicolas Nalbandian

• Stills Photographer: Teniola Komolafe

Special Thanks to:
Anjelica Murdaca

Photography Teniola Komolafe