Chris Vlahonasios is the founder and owner of Byzanfest, as well as, TRANSFIGURE MEDIA.
Chris graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Marketing. Whilst at university, Chris made several short-films and worked on the sets of many others. Chris has much experience operating film festivals having established and directed Queen St Film Festival from 2005-2009.
Chris is a member of Vatopedi Monastery’s International Association of Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care (DMOPC). Chris regularly speaks at Orthodox events and conferences about film, creativity and social media.
Byzanfest and TRASNFIGURE MEDIA were the proud sponsors of St Ypomoni Children’s ShortFilm Competition 2021.
Byzanfest also worked in conjunction with the Serbia Film Festival of Australia in 2023.
Chris is also a member of the Greek-Australian Film Society (GAFS).
Education
2008
Melbourne University
Construction Law
2003 – 2008
Victoria University
Bach. of Laws (Honours) / Bach. of Business (Marketing)
1999 – 2002
Melbourne Grammar School
Sponsored by Matris Lance Frew Scholarship
Media experience
2023
Greek - Australian Film Society (GAFS)
Vice - President
2023
Serbian Film Festival in Australia
Supporter
2021
IKONAMA Streaming
Media Director & Founder
2008
TRANSFIGURE Media
Founder, Owner & Media Manager
2015 – 2019
TO VEMA Newspaper
Media, Arts & Culture writer of TRANSFIGURE MEDIA column
2014 – 2018
The Moving Icon Show
Podcaster
2005 – 2010
Queen St Film Festival (Victoria University)
Festival Founder, Director & Patron
Papers and Conferences
May 2022
Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand
Family Conference: “How to raise Orthodox Digital Citizens”.
Aug 2020
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Youth Workers’ Summit
Speaker: “Why does online engagement matter?”
May 2020
Report Author: “The Cyber Church: Analysis and findings of online communications used by the Orthodox Church during the Covid-19 pandemic and its future use.”
Jan 2020
Melbourne Youth Conference, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aus.
Speaker: “Navigating social media safely and behaving respectfully online”
Dec 2019
Syezd 2019 Russian Orthodox Youth Conference, Australia
Lecturer: “The Moving Icon”
Oct 2019
Pemptousia, Greece
Interviewee for 2-part online video series
Jul 2018
Vatopedi 2nd International Conference for Digital Media, Greece
Speaker
May 2018
Author: “Respecting the Divine: why Australia and all democracies should care about blasphemy laws”
Archived at the Australian Government’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for advice on the area of religious freedom
Oct 2008
“Digital Protection Measures and how the High Court interprets them.”
2nd class Honours dissertation, Victoria University School of Law
