13 Cypriot Films Compete in National Section of Short Film Festival

Cypriot entries at the 16th International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC) will compete for both national and international awards while also vying for a nomination at the European Film Awards in the short film category. Thirteen films make up this year's National Competition, which screens at Rialto Theatre in Limassol from 10 to 16 October.

A new generation of Cypriot filmmakers

Family ties put to the test, love that blossoms or fades and places that change their face: according to the organisers, this year's programme moves between fiction and documentary with equal intensity, capturing the pulse of a generation of filmmakers who are writing their own language on the Cypriot screen.

The festival notes that taking part in the National Competition remains one of the most important steps in promoting Cypriot cinema. It gives filmmakers the chance to meet audiences, gain international recognition and open the way to future collaborations and co-productions.

The selected films

The films selected by the festival's preselection committee are Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection) by Alexandra Matthaiou, Night Shift by Talat Gokdemir, Sirens by Argyro Nikolaou, Bifurcation: Like Thunder Strike by Andreas Lyras, Salt by Konstantinos Nikiforou, Kinds of Fathers by Christos Artemiou and Valentinos by Sofia Anastasiou.

Also selected are Terrace with a View by Dimitris Michael, Runner by Ermolaos Fotiou, Cinema Rialto by Antony Petrou, Arasta by Fatosh Olgacher, Shekerika by Iakovos Maimaris and Icarus by Christos Kardanas.

The preselection committee

The films were selected by the festival's preselection committee for the competition section, made up of Adonis Florides, film and theatre director, playwright and screenwriter; Doros Demetriou, film historian, curator and organiser of cultural events; Yianna Americanou, director and screenwriter; and Peter Cerovšek, director and curator, and director of FeKK, the Ljubljana Short Film Festival.

The Space Between special screening

Audiences will also be able to attend the special screening The Space Between, curated by the preselection committee of the National Competition. The programme explores the need to live in between: between languages, places and versions of oneself, and even the decision not to choose just one. It brings together films by women filmmakers who offer their personal perspective on the female experience of displacement, dual identity and the search for belonging in today's geographical space.

The screening takes place on Friday 16 October at 18:15, on stage at Rialto Theatre.

Awards in both sections

In the international section, the jury will present first and second prizes for Best Short Film, an award for Best Direction, an award for Best Documentary, three honourable mentions and the Eastern Mediterranean Award.

In the national section, the jury will present first and second prizes for Best Cypriot Short Film, the Dinos Katsourides Award for Best Direction, awards for Best Cinematography and Best Performance, and three honourable mentions.

Audience and peer awards introduced

Beyond the jury's awards, this year's edition introduces two new initiatives. The Audience Award allows viewers to choose their favourite film, which will receive a cash prize of €500. The Peer Award is an honorary distinction for a Cypriot entry, to be presented by a committee of representatives of the Cyprus Directors' Union, the Cyprus Actors' Union (EIK) and the Theatre Artists' Branch of SIDIKEK-PEO.

Tickets and information

Daily tickets cost €5 and a festival pass costs €25. Entry is free for students on presentation of a student card, disability card holders, members of the Cyprus Directors' Union, and actors who are members of the Cyprus Actors' Union or the Theatre Artists' Branch of SIDIKEK-PEO. Screenings are for audiences aged over 18. All films are screened in their original language with English and Greek subtitles. Information is available from Rialto Theatre on 77 77 77 45 and at isffc.com.cy and rialto.com.cy.