After nine days of screenings, workshops, filmmaker meetings and professional activities, the Cyprus Film Days International Festival concluded in Limassol with the presentation of awards across its competitive sections.
The closing ceremony took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture and the Mayor of Limassol. Artistic direction was led by Evita Ioannou, while Elena Antoniou hosted the evening. A video message by Athina Xenidou was also presented.
Strong participation and industry activity
Danae Stylianou, head of the Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days platform, highlighted the strong turnout of this year’s edition, noting that more than 150 film professionals from Cyprus, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa participated in Limassol. The platform focused on project presentation, networking and the development of co-production, financing and distribution opportunities.
Festival artistic directors Argyro Nicolaou and Petros Charalambous thanked filmmakers, partners, volunteers and audiences, underlining the festival’s role as a meeting point for cinematic ideas and collaboration.
Audience Award
The Audience Award, sponsored by Breaking Wave Productions and decided through electronic voting, was awarded to Hold Onto Me by Myrsini Aristidou. The award includes a €2,000 prize.
International Competition – Glocal Images
The International Jury, chaired by Matthijs Wouter Knol with members Anna Hoffmann, Christina Lazaridi, Melanie Blocksdorf and Aimilios Avraam, announced the following awards:
- Best Film Award (€6,000): Nino by Pauline Loquès
- Special Jury Award (€3,000): Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa
- Best Director Award (€1,000): Hysteria by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
- Best Cinematography Award (€1,000): Forastera by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias, cinematography by Agnès Piqué Corbera
- Jury Distinction: Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day by Ivona Juka
Cypriot Competition
- Best Cypriot Film (€4,000): Hold Onto Me (Κράτα Με) by Myrsini Aristidou
- Best Director – Cypriot Competition: Hold Onto Me by Myrsini Aristidou, with post-production services offered by Authorwave
- Best Performance Award (€2,000): Dinos Lyras and Lenia Sorokkou for Maricel by Elias Demetriou
A continuing meeting point for cinema
The festival reaffirmed its role as a platform for contemporary cinema, bringing together creators, industry professionals and audiences. Organisers confirmed the festival’s return next year, maintaining its position as a key event for film culture in the region.
