The international reach of Cypriot cinema has significantly increased, says Cypriot director Myrsini Aristidou to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA). Her film, Hold Onto Me, recently swept three awards at the 24th Cyprus Film Days International Festival, including Best Cypriot Film, Best Director, and the Audience Award. This follows its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it also secured the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Reflecting on these accolades, Aristidou noted, "It is a great honor and joy for all of us. Especially when a film that started in Cyprus manages to travel to such prestigious festivals and connect with audiences from different countries and cultures, I feel it confirms that our stories can have global resonance when told with honesty and a personal perspective."

Aristidou believes the Cypriot cinematic landscape has evolved for the better, pointing to a "new generation of creators with a much more extroverted approach, greater ambition, and a substantial artistic identity." She emphasized that the increasing participation of Cypriot films in international festivals creates momentum for future filmmakers.

However, she underlined the need for more consistent investment in culture and the audiovisual sector to support local talent. "In recent years, we are seeing Cypriot films screened and awarded at major international festivals, something that was much rarer in the past," she explained, adding that this enhances Cyprus's image as a producer of modern, high-quality cultural work.

Regarding her future plans, Aristidou told CNA that while Hold Onto Me continues its international festival run, she is developing her next film and television projects. Her goal remains to create works that communicate with a global audience without losing their authenticity.

Source: Offsite news