The artistic director of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival spoke to Voice of Greece and the program “Take Your Time” about his harrowing experiences during the devastating fires in his area. He described shocking scenes of people running to escape the flames that began on January 7 and later re-emerged in new outbreaks.
Katopodis shared stories of his loved ones, friends, and neighbors who have lost everything, fleeing their homes with nothing but a backpack. Many are still being hosted by friends and relatives. He also highlighted major issues with insurance companies, as some policies expired just days before the disaster at the end of 2024, leaving property owners without coverage.
The upheaval extends to the film industry, with schedules being disrupted and productions canceled. Regarding the Greek Film Festival, scheduled for late May, Katopodis revealed that some events have been postponed and there is uncertainty about funding. However, he expressed optimism that everything will work out and the festival will proceed as planned.