The Cyprus International Film Festival (CYIFF) has become an annual cultural institution, now celebrating its 19th year. This year's event will take place from October 28 to November 2, 2024, at the Melina Mercouri Hall in Old Nicosia. The festival will showcase 130 films, including both feature-length and short films, across a variety of categories: fiction, documentary, animation, new technologies, and experimental works. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to emerging filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their work.

A third of the selected films come from Greek and Cypriot creators. Notable Cypriot premieres include the feature film The Spartan's Dream, directed by award-winning Greek-American filmmaker Michael Achilles and starring Katerina Didaskalou, and Sgt. Fruit Fly, a debut by Greek-Canadian director Tommy King, featuring Maki Papadimitriou.

As part of its parallel programming, the festival will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 invasion of Cyprus with a special section titled 1974. This program includes screenings by Greek Cypriot and international filmmakers, along with other cultural events, such as:

• October 28 - November 2: Photography Exhibition Dead Zone - Past, Present, Future, in collaboration with the Nicosia branch of the Cyprus Photographic Society.

• October 30: Lecture Dead Zone - A Space of Conscience by researcher Yianna Tsolaki.

• October 30: Harmony in Verse: Exploring Poetry for Peace, a literary discussion featuring Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot poets. The event will be curated by Dr. Maria Siakalli.

• November 2: A musical performance by the Bicommunal Choir for Peace – Lena Melanidou.

The festival’s comprehensive schedule also features a masterclass, special screenings, and industry-focused events. These include:

• October 28: Masterclass on Crowdfunding with director, producer, and academic Nurdan Takeoglu.

• October 29: Screening of Lazarus Path followed by a reception hosted by the Serbian Embassy.

• November 1: CYIFF-WIFT-CYPRUS Film Industry Conference, including:

  • A pitching event where filmmakers can present new projects for potential collaboration with the Cypriot market and investors.

  • Presentations on film financing and co-production opportunities by representatives from the Cyprus Organization of European Programs and Cultural Relations.

  • Lecture Shaping the Audiovisual Landscape in Cyprus with Artificial Intelligence: Current Trends and Future Possibilities by Dimitris Skouridis, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation & Technology.

The CYIFF is a nonprofit organization primarily driven by volunteers and is the creation of a group of Cypriot and Greek professionals in the arts, film production, and international cinema. Since its inception in 2006, the festival has attracted global interest, with submissions from 40 countries across six continents. In addition to fostering international artistic exchange, the festival holds significant political importance for Cyprus by promoting the CYIFF Golden Aphrodite Award internationally, spotlighting films from around the world.

The festival is dedicated to promoting Cypriot cinema and history, and it offers Greek and Cypriot filmmakers a unique opportunity for international recognition and distribution through its collaboration with the Bridges Film Festival in Greece and the online platform Inspire-TV™. Furthermore, the CYIFF has become a key meeting point for Greek Cypriot and foreign artists, positioning itself as a new destination for film tourism.

The festival also provides a valuable platform for emerging talent with categories such as CYIFF Got Talent for short films and Golden Aphrodite for debut feature films. More experienced filmmakers can compete in the Veteran category for both short and feature-length films.

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