Cinema returns to the big screen this April as the 24th Cyprus Film Days International Festival opens its doors in Limassol and Nicosia. The nine-day programme brings together international premieres, Cypriot productions and industry initiatives in a festival that places storytelling and dialogue at its centre.
Organised by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Rialto Theatre, the festival will run from 17 to 25 April 2026 at the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace in Nicosia. This year’s edition unfolds under the theme Life, positioning cinema as a space for reflection, exchange and creative resilience.
Artistic direction
The 24th edition is artistically directed by filmmaker and academic Argyro Nicolaou and filmmaker and producer Petros Charalambous.
The two curators shape a programme that balances discovery with established voices, presenting premiere screenings from Cyprus and abroad. Their focus turns to works that take risks, engage with the present and tell stories that are both deeply personal and profoundly collective. Their aim is to cultivate a living festival space where audiences do not merely watch films but actively participate in the cinematic experience.
The programme
The festival unfolds as a multi-layered cinematic experience, bringing together competition sections, parallel events and industry initiatives.
International competition section
Showcasing contemporary cinematic voices from around the world, this section features films that confront the realities of their time. Through stories of resistance, loss, perseverance and hope, the selected works seek to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue.
Cypriot competition section
The pulse of local filmmaking. Cypriot creators present their work on a platform that supports, recognises and promotes the evolving identity of contemporary Cypriot cinema.
Viewfinder
This section presents films that have stood out across the international festival landscape during the past year, reflecting emerging currents and distinctive voices. It offers Cypriot audiences the opportunity to encounter promising new filmmakers and follow the work of established auteurs whose films continue to shape contemporary cinematic dialogue.
Parallel screenings and workshops
Expanding the scope of the festival, these events create opportunities for reflection, discussion and discovery, adding further depth to the overall cinematic experience.
Cyprus Film Days for children and young people
A dedicated programme designed to nurture the relationship between younger audiences and the language of cinema. Through screenings and activities, the section encourages imagination, critical thinking and creative engagement.
Dot.on.the.Map industry days
A professional meeting hub for filmmakers, producers and industry professionals. The initiative serves as a platform for exchange, networking and the development of new co-productions and international collaborations.
The detailed screenings and parallel events programme will be announced soon on the official festival website.
Awards
The following awards will be presented during the Closing Ceremony:
- Best Film Award
- Special Jury Award
- Best Director Award
- Best Cinematography Award
- Best Cypriot Film Award
- Best Cypriot Director Award
- Best Performance in a Cypriot Film Award
- Audience Award
The Audience Award, based on viewers’ immediate evaluations after each screening, highlights the role of the public in completing the cinematic experience.
Organisation and information
The festival is organised by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Rialto Theatre.
The 24th edition of Cyprus Film Days will take place from 17 to 25 April 2026 at the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace in Nicosia.