Overcoming the challenges imposed by the ongoing pandemic, and in full compliance with all applicable measures, the 20th Cyprus Film Days 2022 returns on Rialto Theatre’s big screen in Limassol and Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia, in the physical presence of the spectators and the organisers alike, celebrating this year its twentieth anniversary!
The Festival’s supporters and enthusiasts, as well as all those who have seen it grow from its beginnings, twenty years ago, cannot help but notice its evolution through time, thriving and expanding, offering today an increased number of screenings. At the same time, it has incorporated a children and youth section, workshops for film professionals and amateurs, as well as other events. Despite its limited budget, the CFD offers a comprehensive and remarkable programme, while devotedly serving the audience of two cities, Limassol and Nicosia.
This year’s edition proposes an eclectic programme of fiction feature films, including world-acclaimed films (Viewfinder section), a very promising competition section (Glocal Images) showcasing films that feature extensive thematic, stylistic and genre characteristics, with a national competition section including this year four Cypriot film productions, aspiring to capture the spirit of independent art house cinema.
For the third consecutive year, the Festival organises an on-site event for film professionals, the 3rd Dot on the Map Industry Days, a co-production, training and networking platform, organised online in collaboration with AGORA Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece. Through this event, the Festival makes an important leap forward by encouraging film collaborations and synergies between producers, directors and screenwriters from Mediterranean countries.
I wish to congratulate the Artistic Committee, film director Tonia Mishiali, director/producer Marios Stylianou and film scholar Dr Costas Constandinides, for their untiring efforts in the enrichment of the Festival; filmmaker Stavros Pamballis, the newly appointed artistic director of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth; and Danae Stylianou, head of Dot on the Map Industry Days. Moreover, I wish to thank Georgia Doetzer and Yiota Constanti, for their invaluable collaboration, as well as my colleague at the Cultural Services Dr Elena Christodoulidou, all our supporters, sponsors and collaborators, and, last but not least, the distinguished members of the International Jury.
We truly hope that the Festival becomes a real celebration of the Art of Cinema for children and adults alike, as well as an incentive for social involvement and quality entertainment, always respecting the applicable protective measures, and ensuring the safety of both the audience and the festival workers.
Dr Kyprianos Louis
Deputy Director of Cultural Services