The 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium, titled "Moving Images, Moving Minds: Children’s Cinema at the Crossroads of Innovation, Resilience and the Future", will be held on 16 and 17 November 2026, bringing together professionals, researchers and institutional representatives from Cyprus, Greece and abroad.
The symposium is organised by the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) and the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus, Department of Contemporary Culture and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED).
The event is being held under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, while the University of Cyprus is participating as scientific partner.
Strengthening Cyprus' role in international film education
The symposium carries particular significance for Cyprus, reflecting a relationship with CIFEJ that began around a decade ago.
The Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, encouraged by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, made film education for children and young people a strategic priority and approached CIFEJ as its first international partner in the field.
Since 2025, CIFEJ's headquarters have been based in Athens, hosted by EKKOMED. The Nicosia event follows the first symposium, which was held in the Greek capital in May 2025.
International film screenings preceded the event
Ahead of the symposium, four special film screenings were organised during October and November at the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton in Nicosia.
The programme featured films selected by CIFEJ-affiliated organisations from:
- India, represented by the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth
- Greece, represented by EKKOMED
- Tunisia, represented by Lumières Films Tunisia
- China, represented by the China Children's Film Association
Programme
Monday, 16 November
Library of the University of Cyprus
The opening ceremony and official greetings will be followed by two keynote addresses:
- Vassilis Karamitsanis: "Cinema for Children and Young People in the Mediterranean: Building Bridges of Culture and Cooperation"
- Dr Longinos Panagi: "The Articulation of Transgenerational Post-Traumatic Experiences in Children's Cinema"
Tuesday, 17 November
Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton
Two roundtable discussions will be held:
- "The Future of Children's Cinema: Creativity, Innovation & New Technologies"
- "Children's Cinema in the Mediterranean and Beyond: Cultural Exchange, Sustainable Production & Audience Development"
Promoting dialogue and cooperation
Organisers say the symposium aims to open a broader discussion on the role of cinema in the lives of children and young people, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region.
It also seeks to strengthen links between local and international organisations, institutions and professionals, encouraging new collaborations and enhancing Cyprus' presence in the global conversation on children's cinema and film education.
About CIFEJ
The International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) was founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO.
It operates as an international network of professionals working in audiovisual media for children and young people and maintains operational relations with UNESCO and consultative status with UNICEF.
Since 2025, its headquarters have been based in Athens and hosted by EKKOMED.
About the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton
The Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton is an independent cultural organisation based in central Nicosia.
For more than two decades, it has worked in education and in safeguarding and transmitting intangible cultural heritage. The organisation is particularly active in film education and has developed an extensive network of partners in Cyprus and abroad. Traditional music and dance also form a central part of its activities.
Attendance
Admission is free and open to the public.
The working language of the symposium is English.
For information, photographs, interviews and accreditation for journalists and photographers, organisers have provided the following contact:
Doros Demetriou Tel: 99435754
Supported by
- Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus, Department of Contemporary Culture
- Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED)
- University of Cyprus (Scientific Partner)
Under the auspices of
- Embassy of Greece in Nicosia
- Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO
