The short film Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection) by Cypriot director Alexandra Matthaiou will premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes in May 2026. The selection places the production among a limited number of short films chosen internationally. The announcement marks a new international step for the director following earlier festival recognition.
Selection at Directors’ Fortnight
The film will be presented as part of the 58th edition of the Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes), running from 13 to 23 May 2026, alongside the Cannes Film Festival.
Free Eliza is one of nine short films selected for this year’s programme from submissions worldwide, positioning it within a competitive international showcase.
Story and thematic focus
The film follows Eliza, a young woman working at a luxury resort. Her daily life is shaped by a rare anatomical condition that prevents her from smiling.
Set within an environment where positivity is socially expected, the narrative centres on her decision to either conform to external pressure or maintain her identity despite the consequences.
Production and contributors
The film is a co-production between Cyprus, Greece and France. It is produced by This Is The Girl Films, with co-production support from the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Onassis Culture, Homemade Films, Everybodies and La Cellule Productions.
The production team includes:
- Director and writer: Alexandra Matthaiou
- Producer: Savvas Stavrou
- Co-producers: Soyo Giaoui, Marion Barré, Maria Drandaki, Kyveli Short, Everybodies
- Director of photography: Luciana Riso
- Editing: Nikos Vavouris
- Sound recording: Andreas Chatzipantelis
- Sound design and mixing: Alexandre Hecker
- Colour grading: Manthos Sardis
The cast includes Grigoria Metheniti, Polyxeni Savva, Zoe Kyprianou, Giorgos Kyriakou, Ioli Pitta and Alexis Neofytou.
The production was supported by organisations and partners including the Mediterranean Beach Hotel Limassol, Medochemie and AlphaMega.
Director’s background
Alexandra Matthaiou is a director and screenwriter with academic training in law and film. She studied at King’s College London and University College London.
Her previous short film A Summer Place (2021), a France-Cyprus co-production supported by CNC, was screened internationally and received awards at multiple festivals. It was also nominated for Best Short Film at the Iris Awards of the Hellenic Film Academy in 2022.
She is currently developing her first feature film, Shibboleth, which has received distinctions at development platforms including the Crossroads Co-Production Forum of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Cannes 2026 context
The 79th Cannes Film Festival will take place from 12 to 23 May 2026, with the Directors’ Fortnight running in parallel as an independent selection highlighting emerging and established filmmakers.
What this means for Cypriot cinema
The selection of Free Eliza reinforces the presence of Cypriot productions in international festival circuits, particularly within competitive short film sections.
Participation in programmes such as the Directors’ Fortnight provides visibility for emerging filmmakers and supports further development opportunities within the European film industry.
