Overview
Cyprus Film Days is the official international film festival of Cyprus, organized by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Rialto Theatre. The 24th edition ran April 17 to 25, 2026, screening films across two cities: the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia. The festival's artistic directors are Argyro Nicolaou and Petros Charalambous.
The festival operates two competition sections: an International Competition for feature films from around the world, and a Cypriot Films Competition Section for domestic productions. The 2026 edition featured films including La Grazia by Paolo Sorrentino (Volpi Cup winner at Venice 2025), Sound of Falling by Masha Schilinski (Jury Prize at Cannes 2025), and All That's Left of You by Cherien Dabis (Golden Gate Award at San Francisco 2025, Jordan's official Oscar submission).
The festival also hosts Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days and welcomed Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid as 2026 guest of honor.
Submission Details
Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 25th Edition Dates | April 2027 (exact dates TBA) |
| 24th Edition Dates | April 17 to 25, 2026 |
| Submission Platform | FilmFreeway |
| Submission Deadline | December 15, 2025 (for 24th edition) |
| Eligibility Window | Films from 2024, 2025, or 2026 |
| Film Type | Feature films only |
| Competition Sections | International Competition and Cypriot Films Competition |
Films must be feature-length. Cypriot films must meet specific eligibility criteria per the festival's rules.
Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Single screening | EUR 5 |
| Festival pass (all screenings) | EUR 30 |
| University students (with valid ID) | Free |
| Children's programme (pupils) | Free |
| Disability card holders | Free |
Awards and Prizes
International Competition:
| Award | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Best Film Award | EUR 6,000 (split: EUR 3,000 to producer, EUR 3,000 to director) |
| Special Jury Award | EUR 3,000 (split: EUR 1,500 to producer, EUR 1,500 to director) |
| Best Director Award | EUR 1,000 |
| Best Cinematography Award | EUR 1,000 (sponsored by Caretta Films) |
| Honorary Distinctions | Up to 3 (no monetary prize) |
Cypriot Films Competition:
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Cypriot Film Award | EUR 4,000 (split: EUR 2,000 to producer, EUR 2,000 to director) + use of The Studio (CYENS Centre of Excellence) |
| Best Director Award | Post-production services valued at EUR 7,000 (provided by AUTHORWAVE) |
| Best Performance Award | EUR 1,000 (sponsored by Limassol Municipality) |
| Honorary Distinctions | Up to 3 (no monetary prize) |
Past Winners
Recent winners of the Glocal Images Best Film Award (EUR 6,000):
| Year | Edition | Best Film | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24th | Nino | Pauline Loques | France |
| 2025 | 23rd | April | Dea Kulumbegashvili | Georgia |
| 2024 | 22nd | 78 Days | Emilija Gasic | Serbia |
| 2023 | 21st | The Fishbowl | Glorimar Marrero Sanchez | Spain/Puerto Rico |
| 2017 | 15th | Rosemarie | Adonis Florides | Cyprus |
The 2026 winner Nino is a debut feature starring Theodore Pellerin, also screened at TIFF 2025. The 2025 winner April won the Special Jury Prize at Venice 2024. The 2024 winner 78 Days world-premiered at IFFR Rotterdam's Bright Future program.
The 2026 Cypriot Competition winner Hold Onto Me by Myrsini Aristidou swept three awards at Cyprus Film Days and won the Sundance 2026 Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic.
Programme Sections
- International Competition - feature films competing for the Best Film Award and other jury prizes
- Cypriot Films Competition - domestic Cypriot productions competing for separate awards
- Mediterranean Panorama - films from the broader Mediterranean region
- Children and Youth Programme - screenings for young audiences, including the National Short Film Competition for Children and Youth
- Special Screenings - curated out-of-competition selections
- Tribute Programs - retrospectives and director focuses (2026: Nadav Lapid)
The 2026 edition included the 3rd National Short Film Competition for Children and Youth, with awards on April 19 at K Cineplex Prime in Strovolos.
Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days
Dot.on.the.Map is the festival's industry platform, headed by Danae Stylianou. The 2026 edition attracted more than 150 film professionals for co-production meetings, networking events, and industry sessions. The platform connects Cypriot and Mediterranean filmmakers with European producers, distributors, and funders. It is the primary industry event for Cypriot cinema and one of the few industry platforms focused on the Mediterranean region.
Festival History
Cyprus Film Days was founded in 2005 as the official international film festival of Cyprus. The festival is co-organized by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Rialto Theatre in Limassol. The festival has operated continuously for 24 editions, growing from a small regional event into a competitive festival with substantial prize money and an active industry program.
The festival's identity is shaped by Cyprus's position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The island has been divided since 1974, and cinema serves as one of the few cultural activities bridging both communities.
The dual-city structure (Limassol and Nicosia) ensures audience access across the Republic of Cyprus.
What Filmmakers Should Know
For Cypriot filmmakers, this is the most important domestic platform. The Cypriot Films Competition offers substantial prizes, particularly the AUTHORWAVE post-production services worth EUR 7,000 for Best Director, which can significantly reduce finishing costs for a low-budget production.
International filmmakers should note that the festival accepts only feature films via FilmFreeway, with a deadline of December 15. The EUR 5 single screening ticket and EUR 30 festival pass make this one of the most affordable festivals for audience attendance in Europe. Free entry for university students expands the audience demographic.
The crossroads location creates connections between European, Middle Eastern, and African cinema cultures. Mediterranean filmmakers will find the most relevant audience and industry connections here, particularly through Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days (150+ professionals in 2026).
The festival does not operate a film market. Industry value lies in co-production connections through Dot.on.the.Map, particularly for Mediterranean co-productions or European partners for Middle Eastern or African projects.
Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up
- April (Dea Kulumbegashvili, Georgia) - Venice 2024 Special Jury Prize, Cyprus 2025 Best Film. US: Metrograph Pictures, UK: BFI. Also at TIFF, NYFF, Sundance.
- 78 Days (Emilija Gasic, Serbia) - IFFR Rotterdam 2024 world premiere, Cyprus 2024 Best Film. Additional prizes at Cinema Jove Valencia, IFFI Innsbruck, Tofifest Poland.
- Hold Onto Me (Myrsini Aristidou, Cyprus) - Sundance 2026 Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic, Cyprus 2026 triple winner. Debut feature co-produced across four countries.
- Nino (Pauline Loques, France) - Cyprus 2026 Best Film. Also selected at TIFF 2025. UK and Irish theatrical distribution from June 2025.
Submission Tips Specific to This Festival
The International Competition favors formally adventurous, politically engaged cinema. Jury statements highlight "strong directorial signature" and "restrained storytelling" as selection criteria. Films blending social engagement with distinctive visual language align with programming taste.
Cypriot filmmakers should target the Cypriot Films Competition for the AUTHORWAVE post-production prize (EUR 7,000 in services) and CYENS Centre of Excellence Studio access with Best Cypriot Film.
Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days is the primary reason international filmmakers attend. If your project is a Mediterranean co-production or seeks European partners for Middle Eastern or African content, apply to present. The 2026 edition drew 150+ professionals.
Submissions are feature films only via FilmFreeway, with a deadline typically in December. No short film competition in main sections. Submission fees are low.
Industry Reputation Notes
Cyprus Film Days occupies a specific niche among Mediterranean festivals. Compared to Thessaloniki (Greece, FIAPF-accredited, larger budget), Cyprus is smaller but more focused on the Eastern Mediterranean. Compared to Istanbul (Turkey, political pressures), Cyprus offers a politically stable venue for regional dialogue.
The festival is not a market festival. Distribution deals do not originate here. Industry value is in co-production connections through Dot.on.the.Map, one of the few Mediterranean platforms structured around co-production meetings. Producers from MENA and Southern Europe attend for these connections.
The EUR 6,000 Best Film prize is modest by A-list standards but competitive regionally. The real draw is audience access (EUR 5 tickets, free for students) and the Mediterranean industry network.
Watch
See Also
Calculate your total festival submission costs and projected return using the Festival ROI Calculator. For Mediterranean and international cinema context, see International Film Markets. For festival circuit strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For distribution deals, see Distribution Deals Explained. Submit through the Cyprus Film Days FilmFreeway page.
