PRESS RELEASE – 20th Cyprus International Film Festival – Golden Aphrodite CYIFF
5th Women in Film and Television – Cyprus Festival
22-27 Sept. Melina Merkouri Hall, Nicosia – Free entrance
September 22 – 27, 2025
Under the Auspices of the Nicosia Municipality
Nicosia, 15/9/2025
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to announce that the 20th edition of the Cyprus International Film Festival “Golden Aphrodite” and the 5th Women in Film and Television Festival will take place in Nicosia at the Melina Mercouri Hall from 22–27 September 2025. A vibrant week of screenings, artistic events, and professional activities awaits, celebrating the talent and creativity of 60 filmmakers presenting their work in person, selected from 115 films competing across multiple categories from 52 countries. This inspiring showcase promises to highlight diverse voices, stories, and visions from around the world. The entrance is free to the audience.
The Festival offers a new international platform for Greek and Cypriot filmmakers in collaboration with the Bridges Film Festival in Greece and the Inspire-TV™ platform. It is also a significant meeting point for Greek Cypriot and international artists and a new destination for film tourism.
On September 22 and 23 at the Ledra Palace, the conference CWEP – Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers will take place. CWEP bring together a Greek Cypriot CSO, the Women in Film and Television – Cyprus (WIFT CYPRUS), and a Turkish Cypriot CSO, the Environmental Association of Lefke (ESLA), under the PLACE in Cyprus Small Grants Programme, funded by the European Union. The common purpose is to create a green memorial in the UN Buffer Zone for the remaining missing persons from both communities, and through this symbolic action, to convey a message of global peace while promoting women’s initiatives and empowerment in peacebuilding efforts.
The “Golden Aphrodite” awards will be decided by a distinguished international jury, including: Vivek Singhania, producer from India, Anita Nagypal, brand & celebrity photographer, Nurdan Tekeoglou, producer, Anna Christofini, photographer, Alexis Chaviaras, director, animator, Avraam Papadopoulos, actor and director, Dimitris Kannavos, journalist, and Bejay Browne, journalist and film director.
Celebrating 20 years of cinema, culture, and dialogue, the Cyprus International Film Festival will conclude with the Golden Aphrodite Film Awards Ceremony and the WIFT CYPRUS (Women in Film and Television – Cyprus) LIFE Awards. This year, the spotlight falls on two remarkable women from across the divide: Fryni Papadopoulou, CyBC TV and radio presenter and producer, and Neşe Yaşın, Turkish Cypriot poet (My Own Country), author, and journalist.
The awards will be presented by Petra Terzi, founder and president of WIFT Cyprus, together with Inessa Kraft, actress, director, and WIFT Cyprus member.
The evening will also mark the world premiere of the song “CWEP – Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers”, performed by the Bicommunal Choir for Peace – Lena Melanidou, symbolizing the unifying power of culture and the shared aspiration for reconciliation.
The Festival continues to hold the EFFE Label (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) and is organized by the charitable cultural company Cine@Art, under the auspices of the Municipality of Nicosia, with the support of foreign embassies and the foundation WIFT CYPRUS. Since its inauguration in 2006 by then Minister of Education and Culture, Mr. Pefkios Georgiades, CYIFF has become a flagship event that promotes Cyprus internationally as a unique cultural, cinematic, and united destination.
Dedicated to emerging filmmakers, the Festival hosts a VIP International Jury, with competitions for first features (Golden Aphrodite) and first shorts (CYIFF Got Talent), as well as:
- Women Films (Aphrodite Cinematic Award)
- 50/50 (gender equality in film credits)
- Environment & Youth (films & initiatives on sustainability)
- CYPress Veteran’s Award (established directors)
- Nostimon Imar (Greek/Cypriot diaspora filmmakers)
- Phedon Papamichael Technical Award (production & cinematography)
- Documentaries, Animation & Mobile Films
Parallel Events
○ Two-day CWEP conference: “Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers (CWEP)” with distinguished speakers from Cyprus and abroad. (WIFT CYPRUS & ESLA)
○ CYIFF & WIFT CYPRUS Film Industry Meetings, including:
⭒˚｡🎞️ Film Distribution and Documentary Funding Internationally by Nurdan Tekeoglou – Pitching of new international film projects seeking collaborators and co-producers in Cyprus
⭒˚｡🎬 Lecture by Alexis Chaviaras, Director: Τhe 3D illusion in film: How 2D elements enable recreating the sense of space and light sources.–
⭒˚｡📸 Bicommunal Photographic Exhibition: “Cyprus Women – Environment and Peace”, organized in collaboration with the Nicosia Photographic Society. Authentic snapshots from Nicosia and the occupied territories are presented. Through the lens, women who contribute to environmental protection and peacebuilding are highlighted, capturing their beauty, strength, and resilience in daily life and in action.
Cinephiles from Nicosia and beyond will also be invited to participate as members of the Independent Jury Committee. This year’s program expects to welcome over 100 directors, actors, and producers from Cyprus and abroad, both on-site and digitally.
For more information, visit www.cyprusfilmfestival.org – Tel. 99798112, Ms Petra Terzi
CYIFF & WIFT Cyprus 2025 Program & Activities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uCROebCnZqoUPN7Cq5DE9Hoo3C3xr4jJ7FffxqJlvTU
CWEP – Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers Conference & Activities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ztm9xfD6hLxbWJYBBSfqCaNP5d1AGhYXJObJp8L7ZPk
CYIFF 2025 TV Spot: https://youtu.be/mGHmawBbrKU
CYIFF 2025 teaser: https://youtu.be/X2bv0O4nKGo
WIFT CYPRUS teaser: https://youtu.be/dxocL5H3xp8
Website CYIFF: www.cyprusfilmfestival.org
Website WIFT-CYPRUS: www.wiftcy.org
Website CWEP – Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers: https://cwepwiftcyprus.wixsite.com/cwep