I would like to welcome you all to this 21st edition of Cyprus Film Days International Festival, which returns on the big screen of the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace’s in Nicosia. We are all delighted to see this dynamic event growing year after year, embraced by film professionals and the audience alike.
This successful institutional event of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Rialto Theatre returns this year amidst an atmosphere of renewal, proposing an exceptional programme with special screenings, multi-award-winning films and a very promising international competition section, rich in terms of thematic, style and genre, also including Cypriot film productions and co-productions. The selection was curated by the newly-appointed artistic directors, filmmakers Argyro Nicolaou and Marios Lizides, whom I would like to congratulate and wish all the best in their future endeavours.
This year’s edition of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth is of equally immense importance, since it includes a selection of socially-engaging films for children and youth that received awards and critical acclaim in international festivals. Curated by film director Stavros Pamballis, the programme also includes film workshops and events for children and teenagers.
The festival is further expanded with the fourth edition of Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days, headed by film director Danae Stylianou who managed to conquer, in a short period of time, a prominent place on the film industry map, bringing together film professionals from Cyprus and the world.
I would like to extend our gratitude to the artistic directors, Argyro Nicolaou and Marios Lizides, who are further expanding the scope of the festival enhancing it with creative encounters amidst an atmosphere of discovery, social awareness and open discussion. Moreover, I would like to congratulate Stavros Pamballis, artistic director of the Children and Youth section, and Danae Stylianou, head of Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days.
To conclude, I would also like to thank the Organising Committee, headed by Dr Elena Christodoulidou, Acting Director of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Culture; Georgia Doetzer, Chief Executive of the Rialto Theatre and her team; Marios Stylianou, Executive Manager; all our partners and sponsors for their invaluable contribution, as well as the members of the international Jury. Without their support and presence, the Festival’s implementation would not have been possible.
Let’s celebrate together the art of Cinema, this fascinating artistic encounter and valuable cultural exchange. Let’s enjoy together the moments of inspiration and joy that the Festival offers to us.
Congratulations to the 21st Cyprus Film Days International Festival!
Daphne Pitta-Diogenous