Maria Lainas Bio
Creative. Professional. Personable.
Starting out in the entertainment industry as a dancer and dance teacher, Maria began casting dancers for various projects.
Very soon she discovered a passion for casting in general and went on to become a well-respected Casting Director in Greece.
With an eye for talent and the unique ability to bring the right people together, she had the chance to work with some of the most talented artists and directors in the industry.
In earlier days, Maria enjoyed working exclusively with local talent.
Today, she works on productions from all over the world, both as a Casting Director and as an Assistant Director.
Below is her full CV.
Curriculum Vitae
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BA Honors in Arts, Middlesex University – Graduate
Casting Society of America (CSA) (full membership)
European Chapter of Casting Society of America, Board Member
International Theater Institute (ITI) (full membership)
Greek Union of Film, Television and Audiovisual Technicians (E.T.E.K.T.) (full membership)
Hellenic Film Academy (full membership)
Casting Director (Feature Films, Shorts, TV Series, TV Films, Video Art, Video clips)
Sta Syrmata (2023) 25 episodes / ERT TV / TV Series (in production)
Director: Haris Mazarakis
Casting Director
Produced by: WCA Productions / Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT)
Tholos Vythos (2023) / Feature Film (in post-production)
Director: Eleni Alexandraki
Casting Director
Produced by: Pomegranate Films2
Melina’s Dream (2022) / Feature Film
Director: Michael Nickles
Casting Director (Main characters / B’Roles & Extras)
Produced by: Leonidas Demas & Inkas Productions
Black Stone (2022) / Feature Film
Director: Spiros Jacovides
Extras Casting Director
Produced by: Steficon SA / Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) / Angry Intern Films / Ekome / Greek Film Center (GFC)
Goat Mountain (2022) / Feature Film
Director: Andrjez Jakimowski
Casting Director
Produced by: Studio Filmowe Jakimowski
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RISE (a.k.a. Greek Freak) (2021) (in post-production / to be released 2022)
Director: Akin Omotoso
Casting Director Greece
Produced by: Bernie Goldstein, Walt Disney Studios USA
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Aoratoi (2021) 8 episodes / Cosmote TV TV Series (in production)
Director: Haris Mazarakis
Casting Director
Produced by: Direct Productions
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Siopilos Dromos (2020) 13 episodes / Mega Channel TV series
Director: Vardis Marinakis
Casting Director (B’ roles uncredited) C’ roles & Extras
Produced by: Filmiki Productions
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Love with a Difference (2020) 14 episodes / Star Channel TV Series
Director: Alexandros Pantazoudis
Casting Director
Produced by: Tanweer Productions / Blonde Audiovisual Productions
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Wild World - Yusuf/Cat Stevens (2020) / Videoclip (uncredited)
Director: Effie Pappas
Produced by: Monster@Dirty Films, Service Production Company Greece: Takes2
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Looking for Stars – Hooverphonic (2019) / Video clip
Director: Matthias Lebeer
Casting Director
Produced by: Top Cut – Modiano
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Echoes of the Past (2019) / Feature Film
Director: Nicholas Dimitropoulos
Casting Director on Location – Frontliners/Stunts (Athens), Extras: Amfissa, Kalavryta
Produced by: Foss Productions
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Una Ventana al mar (a.k.a. Window to the Sea) (2019) / Feature Film
Director: Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Casting Director & Casting Director on Location – Nisyros
Produced by: Euskal Irrati Telebista (EiTB), Gariza Produkzioak, Heretic, Kinoskopik s.l.
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Coke White, Starlight (2015) / Videoclip
Directed by: Tristan Patterson
Casting Director
Produced by: Animals of Combat
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The Island of Secrets (a.k.a. Lomasankarit) (2014) / Feature Film
Director: Taavi Vartia
Casting Director on Location
Produced by: Finnish Film Foundation & Incas Films
Nominated: Stockholm Film Festival Junior Grand Jury Prize Best Film
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Volta (2014) / Short Film
Director: Stella Kyriakopoulos
Produced by: Valerie Kontakos & Despoina Pavlaki
Won: Hellenic Film Academy Awards 2015 – Best Short Film
Nominated: AFI Fest 2015 Live Action Short Film, Sundance Film Festival 2015 Short Film Grand Jury Prize
Among others…http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt4061634/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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(Social) Impact Assessment / Monitoring (2014) / Short Film
Director: George Drivas
Casting Director
Produced by: Blonde Audiovisual Productions
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The First Line (a.k.a.Promakhos) (2014) / Feature Film
Director: John & Theodore Voorhees
Casting Director
Produced by: A Visionary Film, Itasca Films
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XENIA (2014) / Feature Film
Director: Panos Koutras
Casting Director / Casting Coordinator
Produced by: 100% Synthetic Films, Wrong Men,, Movie Partners in Motion Film, Entre Chien et Loup, Arte France Cinema, CNC, Eurimage, Greek Film Center, L’Aide aux Cinemas du Monde, Media
Won: Hellenic Film Academy Awards 2015 - Best Supporting Actor Aggelos Papadimitriou and many others… http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt3186946/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
Nominated: Cannes Film Festival 2014 Un Certain Regard Award & Queer Palm
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The Enemy With In (a.k.a. My Enemy) (2013) / Feature Film
Director: Yorgos Tsemberopoulos
Casting Coordinator
Produced by: Blackbird Productions, Filmiki Etairia, Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Nova, Stefi S.A.
Won: Hellenic Film Academy Awards 2014 – Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and many more…
http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2544182/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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Dead Europe (2012) / Feature Film
Director: Tony Krawitz
Casting Zagorohoria / Additional Casting uncredited
Produced by: See-Saw Films (Ian Canning &Emily Sherman), Porchlight Films (Liz Watts),
Inkas Film &T.V. Productions
Awards & Nominations… http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2091880/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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Without Borders (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Nick Gaitatzis
Casting Greece
Produced by: Second Slate Films, Armonia Films
Won: Festival Audience Award at the 5th Los Angeles Greek Film (2011)
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Red Sky (a.k.a. Kokkinos Ouranos) (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Layia Yourgou
Casting Crete
Produced by: Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Protasis Productions
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J.A.C.E. (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Menelaos Karamaghiolis
Casting Director uncredited
Produced by: Blonde Audiovisual Productions, CL Productions, Fonds Eurimages du Conseil de l’Europe, Geyzer Film Productions, Graal, Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Kaliber Film, Nova, Pausilypon Film, Pi Film, Ukbar Filmes
Won: San Fransisco Greek Film Festival - Astron Award Best Feature Film and others… http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2075223/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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3 Nights in Nisyros (2009) / Feature Film (post-production)
Director: Michael Carvaines
Produced by: Micar Productions, Incas Films
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Well Kept Secrets – Athanasia (a.k.a. Kala Krymmena Mystika – Athanasia) (2008) / Feature Film
Director: Panos Karkanevatos
Produced by: Divine Media Group, Greek Film Center, E.R.T., Nova, Odeon, Verga Film Productions
Won: 3rd National Award and FISPRECI award Thessaloniki Film Festival 2008
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The Hunt for Troy (a.k.a. Der Geheimnisvolle Schatz von Troja / Schliemann & Sophia) (2007) / TV Film
Director: Dror Jahavi
Germany
Casting Director
Produced by: Cinegram & teamWorx Produktion fur Kino und GmbH
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O' Jerusalem (2006) / Feature Film
Director: Ellie Choraqui
Casting Coordinator / Extras Casting
Co-produced by: Les Films de l’Instant, Cinegram, Films 18 Ltd, Titania Produzioni, G.G. Israel Studios Ltd., France 2 Cinema. Forecast Pictures, VIP3 Mediendonds, VIP 4 Medienfonds, Rising Star, Box Film, Blue Rider Pictures, Canal+ & Foresight Unlimited
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Commercials:
Casting Director (2003 - today) for over 100 commercials
Anytime Cyprus (2021) - AEGEAN “Greece By Greeks” – FIX Beer “I want a trip” – DODONI Yogurt “Taste of Dodoni”- EUROBANK “The Perfect Vacation Exists Because Someone Creates Them” – Delta (ice cream) – Nescafe – Papadopoulou Cookies – Samsung (worldwide) – Loumidis coffee – La Passionata (European) – Coca Cola – Bank of Jordan – Lanitis Milk Calcium Plus – OPAP – SWS (Cyprus) – Cream Crackers Papadopoulou – CYTA (Cyprus) - Quanto – Dettol – Maggi – Eurobank – Hyundai – PASOK political party– Eurovision – Greek Tourist Organization EOT – Life / Delta (juice) – Wind – Nissan Infinity (worldwide) – Goody’s Tuna fish (Lebanon) - Feta Hpeiros - Lidl Hellas – Masoutis Supermarkets – Opel Astra (internet) - Media Markt – 11880 (phone directory) – Vrisko.gr among others.
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Assistant Director (Feature & Short Flims, Video clips)
The Eye (2022) Feature Film
Director: Daphne Schmon
2nd Assistant Director
Produced by: Fingerprint Content / Argonauts / Greenshoot / Media Finance Capital
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Looking for Stars – Hooverphonic (2019) / Video clip
Director: Matthias Lebeer
2nd Assistant Director
Produced by: Top Cut – Modiano
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Echoes of the Past (2019) / Feature Film
Director: Nicholas Dimitropoulos
3rd Assistant Director
Produced by: Foss Productions
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Una Ventana al mar (a.k.a. Window to the Sea) (2019) /Feature Film
Director: Miguel Ángel Jiménez
3rd Assistant Director
produced by: Euskal Irrati Telebista (EiTB), Gariza Produkzioak, Heretic Productions, Kinoskopik s.l.
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The Neighbour (2017) (post production) / Feature Film
Director: Gregory Patrick Kar (a.k.a. Gregory Patrikareas)
1st Assistant Director
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Highway to Hellas (2015) / Feature Film
Director: Aron Lehmann
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Pantaleon Films
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Won: Pursan International Film Festival 2015 – Busak Bank Award Aron Lehmann
Nominated: Jupiter Award 2016 – Best German Actor – Christoph Maria Herbst
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The Island of Secrets (a.k.a. Lomasankarit) (2014) / Feature Film
Director: Taavi Vartia
2nd Assistant Director
2nd Unit 1st Assistant Director (uncredited)
Produced by: Finnish Film Foundation, Greek Film Center, Inkas Film & T.V. Productions, OTE TV,
Yellow Film & TV
Nominated: Stockholm Film Festival Junior Grand Jury Prize Best Film 6-10 Years
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(Social) Impact Assessement / Monitoring (2014) / Short Film
Director: George Drivas
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Blonde Productions
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The First Line (a.k.a. Promakhos) (2014) / Feature Film
Director: John & Theodore Voorhees
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: A Visionary Film, Itasca Films
Eimarmeni (Destiny) (2012) / Feature Film
Director: Andreas Marianos
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Andreas Marianos, Crowd-funding
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Diavolou Kaltsa (a.k.a.The Devils’ Sock) (2012) / Short Film
Director: Andreas Marianos
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Greek Film Center, Andreas Marianos
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Family Thrill (2012) / Short Film
Director: Dimitris Stratakis
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Nikos Moustakas, Greek Film Center
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Red Sky (a.k.a. Kokkinos Ouranos) (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Layia Yourgou
2nd Assistant Director
Co-produced by: Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Protasis Productions
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J.A.C.E. (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Menelaos Karamaghiolis
2nd Assistant Director
Co-produced by: Blonde Audiovisual Productions, CL Productions, Fonds Eurimages du Conseil de l’Europe, Geyzer Film Productions, Graal, Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Kaliber Film, Nova, Pausilypon Film, Pi Film, Ukbar Filmes
Won: San Fransisco Greek Film Festival - Astron Award Best Feature Film and others… http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2075223/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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3 Nights in Nisyros (2009) / Feature Film (post-production)
Director: Michael Carvaines
2nd Assistant Director
Co-produced by: Micar Productions, Inkas Film & T.V. Productions
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Well Kept Secrets – Athanasia (a.k.a. Kala Krymmena Mystika – Athanasia) (2008) / Feature Film
Director: Panos Karkanevatos
2nd Assistant Director
Co-produced by: Divine Media Group, Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT), Nova, Odeon, Verga Film Productions
Won: 3rd National Award and FISPRECI award at Thessaloniki Film Festival 2008
Beware of Bear (a.k.a. Prosohi Arkouda) (2008) / Short Film
Director: Victoria Vellopoulou
Assistant Director
Produced: Cinegram, Greek Film Center, Hellenic Radio & Television (ERT)
Won: London Greek Film Festival Festival Prize Best Short Film and others… http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1267417/awards?ref_=tt_nav_op_aw
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Television Series:
Street Food TV (2017)
Director: Michael Roubis
1st Assistant Director
Produced by: Antenna TV Greece
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Litsa.com (2008-2009)
Director: Maria Lafi
2nd Assistant Director
Produced by: Cinegram (10 episodes for Antenna Television Greece)
A Woman Without Past (2006)
2nd Assistant Director
Russia
Co-produced by: CL Productions
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Qing ding ai qin hai (2004 / 5 episodes)
Director: Jiang Lu
2nd Assistant Director / Casting Director
China / Korea
Produced by: Shanxi Film Studio, Central Athens Film Productions
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Commercials:
1st Assistant Director (2008 - today)
NIKE & Antetnokounmpo Academy - Sofinco (France, 2nd Unit 1st AD) - BMW (Europe, 2nd Unit 1st AD) - Sary (cold cuts) - D&L Sauces (Belgium) - Dirollo Classic – DirolloSpread - Becel – Halvas Attikis. – Tsakiris Potatoe Chips - Amita Fun, Emporiki Bank, 11880 (phone directory) – Creta Farm – Vrisko.gr...among others
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2nd Assistant Director (2003 - today)
L'Oreal (Europe) - AEGEAN “Greece By Greeks” – FIX Beer “I want a trip” – DODONI Yogurt “Taste of Dodoni”- EUROBANK “The Perfect Vacation Exists Because Someone Creates Them” - Wind (telephone company) – Amita - Nescafe – Papadopoulou Cookies – Samsung (worldwide) – American Express (worldwide) – National Bank of Greece – Greek Tourist Organization – Eurovision – Vodafon – Maggi – La Passionata (european) – Nissan Infinity (worldwide) – Jordan Telecom – Loumidis coffee – OPAP – Europe 1 (Dubai) Amita – Cosmote What’s Up “Now” – Lidl Hellas – Masoutis supermarkets among others.
Script (Supervisor or Assistant)
Rainy Days (2015) / Short Film
Script Supervisor
Director: Alessandro Spiliotopulos
Produced by: Alessandro Spiliotopulos
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Without Borders (2011) / Feature Film
Director: Nick Gaitatzis
Script Assistant
Produced by: Second Slate Films, Armonia Films
Winner of the 5th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Audience Award (2011)
Other Details:
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Languages:English – fluent (bi-lingual)
Greek – fluent (bi-lingual)
Spanish - beginner
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Valid American Passport (born and raised in New York)
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Valid European Passport
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Qualified Dancer / Dance Teacher / Choreographer