Welcome Notes

Through a multidimensional programme, including the Glocal Images International Competition Section, the Viewfinder Section showcasing premieres of internationally acclaimed films, the Cypriot Film Competition Section presenting the most recent Cypriot film productions, as well as the Parallel Screenings programme featuring local and international films, the Festival views, in a cross-sectional way, human reality in every corner of the globe. Reality, love, social and existential loneliness in the world’s biggest cities, interpersonal relationships, the right to sexual freedom and individual rights, inequality and power relations are only some of this year’s themes at the epicentre of the selected films.

The Festival has acquired an important section, involving children and youth, who are given the opportunity to attend a series of screenings and educational masterclasses on this precious form of Art. Children will be able to observe, vote for and create films.

I would like to congratulate the Artistic Committee, film director Mrs Tonia Mishiali, director/producer Mr Marios Stylianou and academic Dr Costas Constantinides, for their untiring efforts in the enrichment of the Festival, as well as Mr Petros Charalambous who undertakes, for the first time this year, the curation of a very interesting Children and Youth section, the Rialto Theatre for its invaluable collaboration, all our supporters, sponsors and collaborators and, of course, this year’s International Jury.

Four Cypriot directors compete with their films in this year’s National Competition Section: Sotiris Christou, Alexandros Leondaritis, Marios Piperides and Johnny Kevorkian enrich the programme with their creative participation, thus highlighting the positive evolution of Cinema in our small country.

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, achieved with the active participation and attendance of the spectators.

Pavlos Paraskevas
Director of Cultural Services of
the Ministry of Education and Culture