Chicago, Illinois, Sept. 15, 2005 οΏ½ Bolstering his efforts to promote a better understanding among HellenesοΏ½ and of HellenesοΏ½ all over the world through the arts and film, οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ V.P. Chris P. Tomaras was elated when        Dr. Jenna Constantine called to tell him that her film, The Spirit of the Chicago Greeks: Alive in οΏ½05! had been selected for exhibition by the prestigious New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.

The 42-minute documentary will have its World Premiere as part of the NY FestivalοΏ½s Hollywood showings from September 22-29, followed by a New York premiere in mid-November and Chicago in late November, capped by its showing at the famed Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France in May, 2006.  Dr. Constantine, who wrote, produced, directed and narrates the film, describes it as οΏ½a film journey from SocratesοΏ½ Greek frog pond in 450 BC to 2005οΏ½an educational visual worthy of our ancestors, who fought victoriously for political and religious freedom, cultural expression and family values.οΏ½  Invited to include a message from οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ in the preview οΏ½trailerοΏ½ for the film, Tomaras observes:
Every Greek parade in cities throughout the Diaspora reflects the exuberant pride we Hellenes deservedly feel about our 3,000-year past, our present and our future. And while we may disagree among ourselves whether Chicago truly has the largest Greek population outside Greece, it truly is a microcosm... reflecting the Spirit youοΏ½ll find in every Greek community across America.

The North and South America Region of the World Council of Hellenes, which serves as the official οΏ½umbrellaοΏ½ for the many organizations representing 7 million Hellenes outside Greece, is pleased to report that the spirit of Greece was οΏ½Alive in 2005οΏ½ all over the world, but especially so in Chicago.  
And that Spirit will continue to be aliveοΏ½ so long as the world continues to cherish wisdom, beauty, and Truth.

The North & South America Region alerted οΏ½οΏ½Ε’s member-organizations in Southern California, and sent thousands of e-mails to our Hellenes and friends there regarding the Los Angeles premiere, and will do the same in the other cities where the film is to be shown.  Tomaras has long promoted films from Greece and throughout the Diaspora.  Most recently, hoping to motivate more young Hellenes than ever to attend the 2005 οΏ½Chicago Greek Film Festival,οΏ½ οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ covered half the ticket cost for members of any Hellenic Student Association.