Sydney Silver Screen: A Tribute to Local Legends

Discover the magic behind the lens as we showcase the powerful and poignant work of acclaimed Sydney-based filmmakers: Alex Lykos, Peter Andrikidis, Billy Cotsis & Kay Pavlou in an in-depth Q&A session with the Ouzo Talk Team! (includes appetizers and refreshments upon arrival).

• ALEX LYKOS is renowned for the Alex & Eve stage series, which has captivated over 40,000 theatregoers across Australia. He successfully adapted and co-produced the Alex & Eve film, grossing nearly $700,000 at the box office and achieving international distribution. His recent film, Disconnect Me, was the sole Australian film pre-selected by the Venice International Film Festival in 2023 and is now streaming globally. Lykos also wrote, directed, and starred in his second feature, Me & My Left Brain, which premiered in 2019, played at eight international film festivals, and is available in 23 countries. With 10 stage productions to his name, including Better Man and The Negotiating Table, Alex has showcased his versatile talents as a writer, director, and actor. He also penned and performed in the successful musical Australia’s Game and his acclaimed one-man show, Jawbone. Most recently, his stand-up comedy show, Neanderthal, premiered to sold-out performances at the Sydney Comedy Festival.
• PETER ANDRIKIDIS: Recruited by Crawford’s after graduating from AFTRS, Peter Andrikidis earned his stripes directing episodes of Cop Shop. Other iconic series followed, G.P. (also Producer), Water Rats, Wildside, Grass Roots and Farscape (SC-FI CHANNEL) as well as telemovies such as My Husband My Killer, Heroes Mountain, BlackJack, miniseries Jessica, The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant (ITV UK) and prod/director the mini-series Catching Milat, Bikie Wars, False Witness (BBC). He directed the ALL seasons of MULTI AWARD WINNING (Best Direction) East West 101 (SBS) as well as the first season of Underbelly, the hit series, which received seven AFI Awards (Best Direction). Peter’s first feature was Kings of Mykonos, a hit in both Australia and Greece.  His second feature was the diverse comedy Alex and Eve. He was recently set-up director Janet King (S2), The Straits, Serangoon Road (HBO), Killing Time, Fat Tony & Co, Pulse and Hyde & Seek. Current drama projects include The New Legends of Monkey S2  (NETFLIX) (also Producer), Harrow, Reef Break (ABC US), Reckoning (SONY), Eden (STAN), Bali 2002 (Stan) (also Producer) and The Claremont Murders (Seven Network). Peter’s grand-parents were born on the Island of Samos Greece and moved to Alexandria Egypt during the WWII where Peter’s father (George) was born. They immigrated to Australia in the 1950’s where George met and married Joan (Australian/Irish descent). He has always believed in telling Australian stories with ethnically diverse casts. Peter has won numerous awards for directing/producing and was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal for his services to Australian society and Australian film production.

• Born in Sydney in 1977 to parents from Lesvos, BILLY COTSIS has a lifelong connection to Greece, having spent a total of three years there. His passion for his heritage was reignited during his time with the Greek club at Macquarie University, and he has since dedicated his spare time to researching his roots and Greek settlements around the world. A prolific traveller, Billy has visited almost 90 countries and 100 Greek islands. He is the author of eight books, including The Aegean Seven Take Back The Stolen Marbles, and has published over 350 articles in various media outlets. His creative work extends to 27 short film and documentary projects, and he contributed to the award-winning Meraki TV show. In his day job, he focuses on community building and economic development. A human rights advocate, Billy is also currently working on a feature film called Once Upon A Time In Crystal Palace.

• KAY PAVLOU is an award winning director/writer/producer of both documentary and drama, exploring themes of ancestry, identity, history and political struggle. Emotive stories about people who thrive against the odds. Her documentary credits include TWO HOMELANDS, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?, BACK IN TIME FOR THE CORNER SHOP, FIGHTBACK FARMERS, RECOGNITION: YES OR NO?, FAMILY FOOTSTEPS, DESPERATELY SEEKING SHEILA, UNDER ONE ROOF, RACE TO LONDON and CYPRUS – A PEOPLE DIVIDED. Her drama credits include episodes of MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS, ALL SAINTS, LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD and her films MARY and THE KILLING OF ANGELO TSAKOS.