Newsroom
The Cyprus International Film Festival (CYIFF) will return to Nicosia from September 21 to 25 for its 21st edition, bringing filmmakers, actors, artists, photographers and audiences together for five days of screenings, exhibitions, performances and special events.
The festival will be held at the Melina Mercouri venue and will feature an international competition alongside programmes dedicated to Cyprus’ history, women in cinema, the Greek diaspora, photography and cultural exchange.
At the centre of the festival is the International Competition, featuring films from filmmakers from a range of countries. The programme is designed to give Cypriot audiences access to international productions while providing opportunities for filmmakers and other creative professionals to meet and establish new contacts.
Chinese cinema will have a prominent place in this year’s programme, including special screenings and the world premiere of Hu Xueyang’s La Croix (The Crossing).
Remembering 1974 through personal stories
A special programme titled 1974 - Memory, Stories & People will examine the events of 1974 through film and the experiences of people who lived through the period.
Rather than concentrating solely on the historical record, the section will focus on personal accounts, including experiences of loss, displacement and memory that have continued across generations.
The programme includes Panikos Panayiotou’s documentary Queen of Cyprus, which explores the experiences of Cypriot women and themes including loss, resilience, homeland and rebuilding one’s life. The film also looks at the experiences of the Cypriot diaspora and the ways personal memories can remain connected to a place after people have left.
Women in cinema and peace initiatives
Women in Film & Television will form another part of the festival, with films, filmmakers and activities focused on women’s participation in cinema, equality and creative work.
CYIFF will also continue its cross-community women’s initiative through CWEP, Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers. The programme brings together culture, environmental issues, dialogue and cooperation, using creative activities as a way to encourage communication and peaceful coexistence.
Another section, NOSTIMON IMAR, will focus on filmmakers and creators from the global Greek community and Greek diaspora.
Its films explore experiences of migration, identity, memory and return, following people who have left their places of origin while maintaining a connection with them through their work and memories.
Photography exhibition invites submissions
Photography will feature through the Things We Pass By exhibition, which asks participants to photograph people, places and moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The exhibition will explore the connection between photography and cinema and the ability of still images to tell stories through everyday scenes.
Photographers can submit up to four images taken with either a camera or a mobile phone. The submission deadline is September 6, with entries accepted at cywift@gmail.com.
New platform for actors
The festival is also introducing the Monologue Challenge, a new initiative for actors and performers.
Participants can present monologues lasting up to 10 minutes in either Greek or English. The event is intended to give performers an opportunity to present their work before an audience and industry professionals.
Applications close on September 16. Participants are asked to submit a recent photograph, a short biography, the monologue they intend to perform and, where available, a video audition to cyiffcyprus@gmail.com.
Festival to conclude with Golden Aphrodite Awards
The five-day event will conclude on September 25 with the Golden Aphrodite Awards ceremony, recognising the films and filmmakers selected during the festival.
CYIFF is also inviting members of the public to become friends and supporters of the festival. Those who register will be eligible for personal invitations to selected private screenings, premieres and special events, subject to availability.
The programme of special events includes the Opening Night Reception, International Filmmakers Meet & Greet, the Queen of Cyprus special event, the Women in Film / WIFT Cyprus Reception, the CWEP Women & Peace Event, the Monologue Challenge, a Chinese Cinema Special Event, the Things We Pass By exhibition event and the Golden Aphrodite Awards and Closing Reception.
More information is available from the festival at cyprusfilmfestival.org or by contacting cyiffcyprus@gmail.com.
