Nicosia, August 19, 2026
CYIFF MONOLOGUE CHALLENGE 2026
Up to 10 Minutes. One Actor. One Story. One Chance.
OPEN CASTING CALL – CYPRUS
You have 10 minutes to show us who you are as an actor.
The 21st Cyprus International Film Festival – CYIFF is launching, for the first time, a special Casting Call / Monologue Challenge for professional and amateur actors, as well as anyone who wants to take their first step into acting.
You don’t need a drama school degree.
You don’t need professional experience.
You need a story to tell.
🎬 THE CHALLENGE
Prepare and perform a monologue of up to 10 minutes, in Greek or English.
Ideally, your monologue should have a connection to cinema — a film character, a movie, a story that could become a film, or a personal story that you would like to see on the big screen.
It can be dramatic, comic, moving, provocative, or deeply personal.
One scene.
One actor.
One story.
Up to 10 minutes.
🌟 THE SELECTED ACTORS
The best submissions will be selected to perform live from September 21–25, 2026, at the “Melina Mercouri” Theatre, as part of the 21st Cyprus International Film Festival.
And this is not simply a theatre performance.
The audience will include directors, producers and film professionals from Cyprus, Greece and abroad.
For a new or emerging actor, this can be a real opportunity to be seen by people who are looking for new faces and new voices.
🎭 DON’T HAVE A MONOLOGUE READY?
No problem.
CYIFF will provide a selection of monologues for participants who would like to choose one and prepare it from scratch.
Participants will also have the opportunity to receive guidance in selecting and preparing their monologue.
📅 IMPORTANT DATES
Until September 16, 2026
Submission of applications and preparation of selected actors.
September 16, 2026
🎭 General rehearsal for selected participants
September 21–25, 2026
🎬 LIVE MONOLOGUE PRESENTATIONS
“Melina Merkouri” Theatre – Nicosia
📩 WHAT TO SUBMIT
Applicants should send at cyiffcyprus@gmail.com:
• One recent photograph
• A short biography
• The monologue they wish to perform
• A video audition, if available
A video audition is not mandatory.
🎥 AND THERE’S MORE…
As part of the Monologue Challenge, CYIFF will present a special mini tribute to Jenny Karezi, featuring Kypros Kyprianou, who will share his personal story and relationship with the legendary Greek actress.
His story is connected to one of the lesser-known chapters of the 1974 Cyprus tragedy: the story of unaccompanied Cypriot children who were hosted in Greece.
Through his personal testimony, audiences will discover a different side of Jenny Karezi — not only as a great actress, but also as a human being.
⭐ WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE PART?
Because you could be the next actor someone remembers after the Festival.
Because cinema needs new faces.
Because you don’t have to be famous to be noticed.
And because sometimes…
One story is all it takes to open a door.
CYIFF MONOLOGUE CHALLENGE 2026
Up to 10 Minutes. One Actor. One Story. One Chance.
🎬 21st Cyprus International Film Festival
📍 “Melina Mercouri” Theatre, Nicosia
📅 September 21–25, 2026
OPEN TO PROFESSIONAL & AMATEUR ACTORS
Are you ready for your close-up?