The 23rd Cyprus Film Days International Festival 2025 places a special focus on its educational endeavours through a rich programme of parallel events. Curating a series of masterclasses, hands-on workshops and specialized seminars, the festival augments the participants’ experience whilst empowering the interaction between artists, professionals and the public.
This year’s parallel actions include a masterclass in VR Filmmaking at CYENS featuring award-winning filmmaker Deniz Tortum, a practical filming workshop inspired from hidden Cypriot myths, and a special casting workshop by celebrated professionals.
All these events are offered for free. Everyone interested can submit an application to participate by 15 March. For more information and guidance on how to apply, please visit the link:
cyprusfilmdays.com/programme/parallel-events
Μasterclass in VR Filmmaking
The day-long masterclass will look into the history and contemporary practices of virtual reality (VR) Filmmaking from the beginning of three-dimensional imaging in the 1850s right down to the latest technological applications. The masterclass will be held on Saturday 5 April between 10:30-16:00 at CYENS Centre of Excellence in Nicosia, by distinguished director, screenwriter and multimedia artist Deniz Tortum, who will flesh out the process behind his practice. The masterclass is addressed to filmmakers, artists, technologists and people interested in virtual reality and immersive media. It includes a special screening of Tortum’s film Shadowtime. Limited number of seats. Enroll by 15 March: https://forms.gle/bNsgCtAKHFBsxrPu5
Deniz Tortum works in film and immersive media. Among his recent work, the feature documentary Phases of Matter (2020, IFFR) is set in a state-run teaching hospital in Istanbul; the essay film Our Ark (2021, IDFA, codirected by Sister Sylvester) reflects our efforts to create a virtual replica of the real world, a virtual Noah’s Ark; and the VR film Shadowtime (2023, Venice Film Festival, codirected by Sister Sylvester) looks into the history of virtual reality and its relationship with the climate crisis. Between 2014 and 2020 Tortum worked as a researcher at the MIT Open Documentary Lab and MIT Transmedia Storytelling Initiative. In 2019, he was featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. His work has screened internationally, including at the Venice Film Festival, SxSW, IFFR, IDFA, and at New York’s Museum of the Moving Image.
“Invisible Myths” Filming Workshop
Cinema and Cypriot myths are brought together in a two-day creative journey led by Oliwia Tado and Mariangela Ciccarello, at the Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri. In the course of a weekend, on 5 and 6 April, eightCinema and mythology are brought together in a two-day creative journey led by Oliwia Tado and Mariangela Ciccarello, at the Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri. In the course of a weekend, on 5 and 6 April, eight select young creatives (18-26) will work together to create two short films inspired by Cyprus’s hidden myths. This practical workshop offers an integrated experience of film production for aspiring and emerging filmmakers, from concept and screenplay to shooting and editing. Participants will be working in two separate groups to make two cohesive short films drawing on the island’s rich mythological tradition. The films will be screened publicly on 7 April at Rialto Theatre and on 8 April at the Zena Palace. The workshop is offered FOR FREE and includes a night’s stay at Pissouri. Limited number of seats. Please submit your application by 15 March at: https://forms.gle/GoNcx6k5rS5ca4vP9
Oliwia Tado is a Greek-Polish filmmaker and educator collaborating widely with cultural institutions such as the Onassis Foundation, the Benaki Museum, ERT and the Greek Ministry of Culture. Dedicated to fostering creative expression and educational opportunities, she has given workshops in Greece, Turkey, India and Canada. She holds an MA in Film Directing from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has made three short films and two documentaries that have screened internationally. She is now working on her debut feature film.
Mariangela Ciccarello is a filmmaker, visual artist and film professor working in Athens and New York. She has taught at New York’s School of Visual Arts, Rutgers University and the American College of Greece. Her short films and mid-length films have screened at foremost festivals and foundations, for example in Locarno, Edinburg and at the Harvard Art Museums. She holds an MFA and an MA from the Universities of Rutgers and Provence as well as a BA in Philosophy from Bologna. She is now working on a feature film set in Athens.
How to get the part: Showcasing Cypriot Talent
A special casting workshop for professional actors looking to expand their practice into the area of international productions will be held by acclaimed casting directors Francesco Vedovati (The White Lotus, Io Capitano) and Makis Gazis (The Lost Daughter, Salade Grecque) in collaboration with Filmmakers Europe. The two-day workshop will take place at Artos Cultural and Research House on 7 & 8 April bringing adult participants of all ages and levels of experience the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the process and expectations of international production casting directors. The workshop will focus on practical techniques and audition tips. The program includes daily group workshops between 10:00- 13:00, and a public panel discussion between 15:00-17:00 on the second day (working language: English). Limited number of seats. Please apply by 15 March using this form: https://cd.filmmakers.eu/visibility-of-cypriot-talent-25
Francesco Vedovati has worked for decades as casting director in Italian cinema. In 2023 he won a Best Casting Director Emmy for the series The White Lotus (2nd season). He was also casting director for Matteo Garrone’s film Io, Capitano, nominated for an Oscar in 2024. He was nominated at BAFTA for The Two Popes and also for Artios Awards for his work in Fargo, Conclave and Ripley. In 2024, the Casting Society of America honoured him with the Capelier-Shaw Artios Award for excellence in casting.
Makis Gazis is an Athens-based Greek casting director. After pursuing film studies in Athens and London he began working as a casting director. For over three decades he has worked with top Greek and international filmmakers in film and TV projects. He has discovered a significant number of actors, catapulting their career. Many Greek and foreign actors attend his workshops on camera and auditioning techniques. He has left his mark on Greek films like Stelios, Smyrna, and Ballad for a Pierced Heart and also on international films such as Adults in the Room and The Lost Daughter. He is a member of the European Film Academy, the Hellenic Film Academy, and the International Casting Directors’ Association (ICDA).
Actions for professionals in the context of Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days
During the 6th edition of Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days, to take place between 10 – 12 April 2025 at Rialto Theatre, led by producer and director Danae Stylianou, accredited guests will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses, discussions and presentations by professionals from the international cinematic arena. Among other things, training sessions will include a special masterclass by a professional on alternative methods of finding film sponsors, as well as info sessions about the Deputy Ministry of Culture’s Minority Co-Productions Scheme, and for Creative Europe funding programmes. The programme of events for Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days will be announced in the next few weeks.
Film workshops for children and youth
The 10th edition of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth 2025 aims unwaveringly to educate and expand the horizons of youthful audiences. This year it features two masterclasses and five workshops by professionals while bringing back the successful short film competition for students and young people up to 24 years of age. The actions of the Section will be announced in detail soon.
For more information: andreani.consta.@gmail.com
The full programme will soon be available on cyprusfilmdays.com and on the Festival’s Facebook (facebook.com/cyprusfilmdays) and Instagram (@cyprusfilmdays) pages.
Festival Information:
For more information: Rialto Theatre 77 77 77 45
Facebook & Instagram: Cyprus Film Days International Festival
Organisers:
Under the auspices of: Limassol Municipality & Nicosia Municipality
In partnership with: CIPA Film in Cyprus
Supported by: Institut Français de Chypre, Goethe-Institut Zypern
Technical Partner: Event Pro
Best Cypriot Film Award Sponsor: Authorwave
Best Cypriot Director Award Sponsor: CYENS Center of Excellence
Audience Award Sponsor: Breaking Wave Productions
Glocal Images Best Cinematography Award Sponsor: Caretta Films
Hospitality Sponsor: Mediterranean Beach Hotel
Media Sponsors: CITY, CyBC
Workshop Sponsors: Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri, CYENS Center of Excellence, Filmmakers Europe
Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days Hospitality Sponsor: Alinea
Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth Sponsors: K- Cineplex, Bank of Cyprus and UCLan Cyprus
Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth Kids Award Sponsor: Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri
Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth Communications Sponsor: Alpha Cyprus & Avant Garde
Supporters:
Sozo Brain Center, Crowne Plaza Hotel Limassol, K-Cineplex, Bolt, LOEL, Mall of Cyprus, The Friends of Cinema Society (Nicosia), Limassol Cine Club, Larnaca-Famagusta Cinema Society, Directors Guild of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology, University of Cyprus (Alumni Office), EMEL Ltd-Limassol Buses, Cyprus Public Transport, Lemesos Newspaper, Limassol Today, Lemesos Blog, Vestnik Kipra, Limassol Tourism Board.
Rialto Theatre
Information / Tickets:
rialto.interticket.com
www.rialto.com.cy
Βοx Office: 77777745
