CY Recently ended

21st Cyprus International Film Festival

Name: 21st Cyprus International Film Festival
Start: 2026-09-21
End: 2026-09-25
Location: Nicosia

The 21st Cyprus International Film Festival (CYIFF) is a five-day cinematic celebration held from September 21 to 25, 2026, at the Melina Merkouri Cultural Hall in Nicosia. This independent festival provides free public admission to a variety of screenings and cultural activities that connect international filmmakers with local audiences.

Date: Sep 21-25, 2026
Location: Nicosia
Status: Recently ended

+ Add ICS

Event summary

Highlights

Golden Aphrodite Awards
Chinese Cinema Showcase
Virtual Reality (VR) screenings
1974 Memory Tribute

The festival program features 45 short and feature films, including world premieres from Cyprus, the United States, Greece, and China. A new Virtual Reality (VR) experience is offered in partnership with the CYENS Centre of Excellence, while a hybrid format allows for online viewing through the inspire-tv platform. A specific showcase is dedicated to Chinese cinema, featuring the premiere of 'La Croix' by Hu Xueyang.

Thematic sections include the '1974 – Memory, Stories & People' tribute, which explores history through documentary screenings and bicommunal peace initiatives. The festival also highlights the creative contributions of women through the Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Cyprus branch and hosts a dedicated category for creators from the global Greek diaspora.

Additional activities include the 'Things We Pass By' photography exhibition and the Monologue Challenge, an initiative for actors to perform original work before industry professionals. The event concludes on September 25 with the Golden Aphrodite Awards ceremony, recognizing the most outstanding films and artists from the international competition.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.