The 24th edition of the Cyprus Film Days International Festival (17–25 April 2026) continues its commitment to strengthening the professional development of filmmakers by presenting a series of specialised workshops and masterclasses with the participation of internationally recognised creators and industry professionals.
Designed for directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, audiovisual creators and anyone who loves cinema and wants to explore a new aspect of it, the workshops offer participants a valuable opportunity to collaborate directly with established professionals and explore key aspects of contemporary filmmaking — from emerging technologies to screenwriting development and post-production.
Through practical exercises, case studies and a collective creative process, participants will deepen their understanding of cinematic art while also connecting with the broader filmmaking community.
Applications are now open for four specialised workshops that will take place in Nicosia and Limassol as part of the festival.
AI Cinema, Workshop with Elettra Fiumi
Dates: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026
Venue: CYENS Centre of Excellence, Nicosia
Schedule:
Saturday 10:00–17:00
Sunday 10:00–13:30
This intensive two-day workshop invites directors, artists and visual storytellers to explore the creative potential of artificial intelligence in cinema.
Led by award-winning filmmaker and AI cinema pioneer Elettra Fiumi, participants will be introduced to contemporary tools for image and video creation through artificial intelligence, while examining ways to integrate them creatively and responsibly into the filmmaking process.
Twelve selected participants will work in small groups, following a hands-on creative process: from idea development and visual experimentation to image generation, scene animation and the creation of a short film using AI tools.
Special emphasis will be placed on collaboration, the notion of creative authorship, and critical reflection on the aesthetics and ethics of filmmaking with artificial intelligence.
Application deadline: 27 March 2026
Maximum number of participants: 12
Workshop language: English
Apply here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1omMt-dR4VzvcOUEs-eatjT6vmYr22KnO5UArTL_U2d8/edit?ts=69a7f8f4
Instructor Bio
Elettra Fiumi is a documentary filmmaker, AI cinema pioneer and founder of Fiumi Studios in Lugano, Switzerland. She collaborates as a Creative Partner with platforms such as OpenAI/Sora, Runway, Pika, ElevenLabs, Leonardo and Dreamina.
Her documentary Radical Landscapes premiered at DOCNYC, while Dancing Free was screened at the Locarno Film Festival. Her AI films Mamma Robot and Alma Robotα are part of a broader anthology exploring motherhood, technology and identity.
Date: Sunday 19 April 2026
Venue: Directors Guild of Cyprus, Nicosia
Hours: 10:00–16:30
In this full-day masterclass, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Christina Lazaridi examines one of the most demanding aspects of writing for the screen: rewriting.
Through interactive exercises and case studies drawn from her professional career, participants will explore practical strategies for approaching script revisions through character development.
The masterclass focuses on how the rewriting process can strengthen the dramaturgical power of a screenplay and enhance the viewer’s experience.
It is aimed at screenwriters, directors and creators who wish to further develop the creative process behind their projects.
In collaboration with the Directors Guild of Cyprus.
Application deadline: 27 March 2026
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8FQknLck0LbK5-EZTugItMve0SL2opVcMCIeKa9sUzYmpvQ/viewform
Workshop language: English
Christina Lazaridi is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and internationally recognised expert in narrative structure. Projects she has written or developed have received major international distinctions, including the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026
Venues:
Practical Workshop — Copper Island Post Production Facilities 12:00-15:00
Public Masterclass — Rialto Theatre, Limassol 16:00-17:30
The workshop will begin with a practical demonstration at the Copper Island studios, followed by a public masterclass at the Rialto Theatre.
The masterclass offers a comprehensive look at the journey of the cinematic image — from cinematography to final colour grading — with Athens-based colourist Manthos Sardis.
Through selected case studies, the session will explore visual storytelling, lighting, camera choices and the collaboration between cinematographers and colourists.
Application deadline: 27 March 2026
Number of participants: 8–10
Manthos Sardis is a colourist based in Athens with more than twenty years of experience in post-production. His work has received international recognition, including the Best Color in Commercial (2021) award at the Independent Colourist Awards.
One Minute Monologue. Acting and Casting Workshop with Lucinda Syson, Juliette Ménager and Alexandra Montag
Date: Monday 20 April 2026
Venues:
Workshop — ARTos, Nicosia 10.00–18.00
Live presentation — Zena Palace, Nicosia 18.00
Applications deadline: 27 March 2026
Apply here: https://cd.filmmakers.eu/from-cyprus-to-global-screens
Workshop language: English
The workshop focuses on screen acting, professional self-presentation and the casting process, under the guidance of internationally renowned casting directors Lucinda Syson, Juliette Ménager and Alexandra Montag.
Participants will prepare and perform a one-minute monologue in English, specifically designed for the camera and casting purposes. Through practical guidance and creative feedback, they will work on their performance and presentation within a professional framework.
The workshop will conclude with a public presentation of the monologues at Zena Palace, as part of the festival.
The workshop is organised in collaboration with Filmmakers Europe.
Tutors’ biographies
Alexandra Montag is a German casting director working internationally across major film and television productions. Her work includes The Grand Budapest Hotel, TÁR, The Teachers’ Lounge, The Zone of Interest, Franz and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Her television work includes the international series Other People’s Money (ZDF/DR).
Juliette Ménager is a French casting director known for her work across international productions including Babel, The Dreamers, Alexander, Emily in Paris and Marie Antoinette. Her television work includes Franklin, The New Look and The Walking Dead.
Lucinda Syson is a London-based casting director whose work includes major international productions such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Children of Men, Snatch, Aladdin and Wonder Woman. Her recent television work includes Foundation, The Sandman, The Diplomat and The New Look.
The festival takes place with the support and contribution of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus and is co-organised with the Rialto Theatre.
The 24th edition of Cyprus Film Days will take place 17–25 April 2026 at Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace in Nicosia.
Rialto Theatre — +357 77 77 77 45
www.cyprusfilmdays.com
Facebook & Instagram
Cyprus Film Days International Festival
ORGANISERS:
Under the Auspices of: Municipality of Limassol & Municipality of Nicosia
In collaboration with: CIPA Film in Cyprus
Major Sponsors: Copper Island, APC Audit Tax Advisory Ltd, Green Olive, Digital Tree
Technical Support: Event Pro, SMP Techno Services
Award Sponsors: Authorwave, CYENS Center of Excellence, Breaking Wave Productions, Caretta Films, P.S. Movies & Stories (Dot.on.the.Map)
Hospitality Sponsor: Mediterranean Beach Hotel
Hospitality Sponsor for Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days: Alinea
Communication Sponsors: CITY, RIK
Sponsors of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth: K-Cineplex, Columbia Beach Resort, ENA Juice, UCLan Cyprus, The Film and Stage Studio
Workshop Supporters: CYENS Center of Excellence, Copper Island, Filmmakers Europe, Cyprus Directors Guild
Supporters:
Institut Français de Chypre, Goethe-Institut Cyprus, K-Cineplex, LOEL, Mall of Cyprus, Nicosia Friends of Cinema Society, Limassol Cinema Club, Larnaca–Famagusta Cinema Club, Cyprus Directors Guild, Cyprus University of Technology, University of Cyprus (Alumni Office), EMEL, Cyprus Public Transport, Limassos Newspaper, Limassol Today, Lemesos Blog, Vestnik Kipra, ETAL
Dot.on.the.Map Co-organisers: Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations, Creative Europe Desk Cyprus
Dot.on.the.Map Partners: Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (EKKOMED), Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Frankfurt Book Fair, Coprocity
Rialto Theatre
Information / Tickets:
rialto.interticket.com
www.rialto.com.cy
Βοx Office: 77777745
