Cypriot director Tonia Mishiali's film "The Lion at My Back" has been selected for two competition sections at Toruń CAMERIMAGE 2026, one of the world's leading film festivals dedicated to the art of cinematography.
Mishiali announced the news on social media, expressing her excitement over the film's double selection at the international festival.
Dual competition selection
The Lion at My Back will compete in the Cinematographers' Debuts Competition, with cinematographer Manu Tilinski nominated for his work on the film.
The production has also been selected for the Directors' Debuts Competition, where Tonia Mishiali is nominated for her direction.
Story of two women
The Lion at My Back follows two women from very different worlds who meet in Cyprus and form an unexpected bond.
Mariama, an 18-year-old asylum seeker from Senegal, is forced to leave the accommodation centre for unaccompanied minors where she has been living after reaching adulthood. With no stable shelter and an uncertain future, she struggles to find her place in a society that offers few opportunities.
Stella, a Cypriot woman in her forties, is trying to overcome substance dependency and rebuild her life in the hope of reconnecting with her daughter.
When their paths cross, their relationship begins as a mutual struggle for survival. Over time, however, they develop a powerful bond that takes on the characteristics of a mother-daughter relationship.
Through their story, the film explores social marginalisation, migration, motherhood, female solidarity and the possibility of creating family ties beyond biological relationships.
The two lead roles are performed by Sokhna Diallo and Elena Kallinikou.
International festival journey
The Lion at My Back is Mishiali's second feature film following "Pause" (2018).
The production is a co-production between Cyprus, Luxembourg and Greece, involving Bark Like A Cat Films, Iris Productions and Avaton Films.
The film made its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 2026, where it screened in the festival's competition section.
Its cinematography, created by Manu Tilinski, was shot on 16mm film, giving the production a distinctive visual texture.
About Camerimage
Held in Toruń, Poland, CAMERIMAGE is an international festival dedicated to cinematography, highlighting the work of directors of photography and their creative collaboration with filmmakers.
In her announcement, Mishiali expressed pride and gratitude to the teams involved in bringing the film to life, saying the achievement would not have been possible without their contribution.
The double selection marks another milestone in the international journey of The Lion at My Back, with both its direction and cinematography now competing for honours at the festival.
