The New York City-based Greek America Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign to endow funds for the Olympia Dukakis Prize, an annual award in the late actor’s name.
After a long life and illustrious career on stage and screen, Olympia Dukakis passed away on May 1, 2021.
She was a founding board member of the organization, which was founded by Gregory Pappas, a longtime friend of Dukakis.
According to an announcement by the organization, “The Greek America Foundation is proud to launch an annual prize, championing the spirit and preserving the legacy of the late Olympia Dukakis, who was a founding board member and supporter of our organization throughout its entire existence. Called a “force of nature” and a “national treasure,” Olympia cared deeply about our work, particularly our support of young people and our creative approach to sharing our heritage with the world.”
The organization has set a fundraising goal of $250,000 which will be placed in its endowment fund. Once endowed, the fund will award an annual cash prize of a $5000 to a female-led initiative in film or theater. According to the organization, a special jury of film and theater professionals will be established to review annual applicants.
“Olympia Dukakis was one of the most beloved and celebrated actors of our time. Best-known for her Oscar-winning performance in Moonstruck, she was was also a teacher and mentor to hundreds of aspiring actors, a defender of justice and a protector of marginalized people. She was a founding board member of the Greek America Foundation and supported its various causes, as well as so many other causes near and dear to her heart throughout her career,” Pappas said at the event.
More details on the actual prize will be forthcoming once the fundraising campaign has been fulfilled.
Fundraising kicked off at a private event in Los Angeles, hosted at the home of Despina Gianopulos Landers, with Christina Kounelias and Sid Ganis also co-hosting. At the event, dozens of people heard Gregory Pappas speak about the project that, according to Pappas, will “honor the legacy of one of the greatest actors of our generation, but also support future Olympias.”
Details about the campaign and prize are here.
