21st CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
GOLDEN APHRODITE AWARDS 2026
2026 WIFT CYPRUS SPECIAL AWARD
“More Than a Mountain” – Loz Henshall, United Kingdom / Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2025, 21’33”
A’ PART – AWARDS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES
The jurors in several categories are:
Avraam Papadopoulos (Greece), Vivek Singhania (India),
Dimitris Kannavos (Greece), Bejay Browne (Cyprus),
Alexis Chaviaras (Greece), Anna Christofini (Cyprus),
Panos Liakos (Greece)
CYIFF 2026 BEST MUSIC DANCE SHORT FILM AWARD
“Nihilism” / “Μηδενισμός” – Avgoustina Papadopoulou / Αυγουστίνα Παπαδοπούλου, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2024, 11’1”
CYIFF 2026 BEST ART / EXPERIMENTAL AWARD
“These Women” – Wen Zhang, China / Κίνα, 2026, 19’25”
CYIFF 2026 ANIMATION AWARD
“Angel & Meow” – Clemhyn Escosora, France, Japan, Slovakia / Γαλλία, Ιαπωνία, Σλοβακία, 2025, 15’
CYIFF 2026 VR AWARD
“Lost Spaces” / “Χαμένοι Χώροι” – Belinda Cherrington, Kalli Koulloufidou / Μπελίντα Τσέρινγκτον, Καλή Κουλουφίδου, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2026, 13’26”
CYIFF 2026 APHRODITE CINEMATIC AWARD
The award is given to a female director with a promising career in the film industry.
“After The Lightning” – Dina Rosenmeier, Spain-Cyprus / Ισπανία-Κύπρος, 2026, 7’40”
CYIFF 2026 SPECIAL AWARD FOR INCLUSION & HUMAN DIGNITY
“A day through my eyes” / “Μια μέρα μέσα από τα μάτια μου” – Charalampos Kontopanagos / Χαράλαμπος Κοντοπάναγος, Greece / Ελλάδα, 2025, 13’
For its sensitive and powerful portrayal of the lives, experiences and aspirations of persons with disabilities, celebrating human dignity, resilience and the right to be seen, heard and fully included in society.
CYIFF 2026 GOT TALENT
“Éxtasis” – Matan Gutin, Canada / Καναδάς, 2026, 17’39”
CYIFF 2026 BEST PROOF OF CONCEPT FOR A FEATURE FILM
“Jane and Zhen” – Weiyu Li, China, United Kingdom / Κίνα, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2026, 14’52”
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION FOR THE ACTRESS IN A GOT TALENT FILM
“Hope” – Xeni Styl Motiti, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2025, 8’38”
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION IN A SHORT FILM
“Cortex Alpha” – Omar Bradosti, United Kingdom / Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2026, 14’43”
For its bold and thought-provoking exploration of mental health, the abuse of power by those in positions of trust, and the complex challenges surrounding healthcare and human well-being—addressing issues of vital relevance to our time.
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION IN A SHORT FILM
“Life Without You” / “Ζωή Χωρίς Εσένα” – Marios Kleanthous / Μάριος Κλεάνθους, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2026, 7’38”
For its poetic exploration of love, absence, and the fragility of human connection, and for creating a deeply atmospheric cinematic world where silence, light, and performance speak more powerfully than words.
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION FOR CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Lovebug” – Jalaludin Trautmann, David Mahmoudieh, Germany, USA / Γερμανία, ΗΠΑ, 2026, 11’
CYIFF 2026 BEST VETERAN’S SHORT FILM
“Centaurs” / “Κένταυροι” – Stella Michael / Στέλλα Μιχαήλ, United Kingdom / Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2026, 10’3”
CYIFF 2026 BEST GREEK SHORT FILM
“I HAVE A STORY BUT I AM NOT MY STORY” / “ΕΧΩ ΜΙΑ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΑΛΛΑ ΔΕΝ ΕΙΜΑΙ Η ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΜΟΥ” – Theodora Madarou / Θεοδώρα Μαδαρού, Greece / Ελλάδα, 2023, 15’
CYIFF 2026 BEST MEDIUM LENGTH FILM
“Tied Together” – Shan-chun Chang, Taiwan / Ταϊβάν, 2025, 23’
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION TO CYPRIOT FILMMAKERS
“Abstraction of Simplicity” – Kyriakos Kakoullis, Vasilis Georgiou, Mamas Sourouppis, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2026, 30’
For its insightful exploration of Cyprus’ architectural identity and the transformative impact of Modernism on society, connecting architecture, history and collective memory.
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION FOR THE TRIBUTE 1974
“It’s Raining” / “Βρέχει” – Lucianna (Lu) Kyriacou, United Kingdom / Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2026, 15’31”
CYIFF 2026 TRIBUTE 1974
“Echo of Time” / “Ηχώ του Χρόνου” – Marios Kleanthous / Μάριος Κλεάνθους, Cyprus / Κύπρος, 2025, 13’11”
CYIFF 2026 HONORARY MENTION TO A FILM WITH A POWERFUL MESSAGE FOR PEACE
“The Eternal Red” – Naira Levon Sargsyan, Armenia / Αρμενία, 2025, 10’53”
CYIFF 2026 BEST TALENT SHORT DOCUMENTARY
“Halima – A Guide to Being Strong” – Linda Verweyen, Germany / Γερμανία, 2025, 24’18”
CYIFF 2026 BEST VETERAN SHORT DOCUMENTARY
“Four Hands” – Helene Sevaux, France / Γαλλία, 2025, 17’
CYIFF 2026 BEST VETERAN FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
“COVID Collateral” – Vanessa Dylyn, Canada / Καναδάς, 2024, 79’
CYIFF 2026 NOSTIMON IMAR AWARD
“QUEENS OF CYPRUS” – Panikos Michael Panayiotou, United Kingdom / Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2024, 60’35”
CYIFF 2026 SPECIAL FESTIVAL AWARD
“La Croix (Crossroads)” – Hu Xueyang, France, Cyprus / Γαλλία, Κύπρος, 2026, 90’
CYIFF 2026 BEST FEATURE SCRIPT AWARD
“Vempo” – Pamela I Theodotou – VIDEO GREETING
“CRIMSON FIELDS” – Andri Elia Elia, Eleni Elia Derke
B’ PART – GOLDEN APHRODITE
The jurors in the Golden Aphrodite Awards category are:
Vivek Singhania (India), Avraam Papadopoulos (Greece),
Dr Alexis Chaviaras (Greece) and Panos Liakos (Greece)
SEVEN FEATURE FILMS COMPETE IN THE “GOLDEN APHRODITE” CATEGORY
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin, China / Κίνα, 2025, 89’
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Piotrek Golebiowski, Poland / Πολωνία, 2026, 90’
- “That’s it for today” – Marko Djordjevic, Serbia / Σερβία, 2023, 90’
- “The Distance We Drift” – Sonnie Lee, Hong Kong, United Kingdom / Χονγκ Κονγκ, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, 2026, 87’33”
- “TIGER” – Kerry Ann Enright, USA / ΗΠΑ, 2026, 90’
- “Whimper” – Carlos Woo, Million, Hong Kong / Χονγκ Κονγκ, 2026, 55’3”
- “Yugo Florida” – Vladimir Tagić, Serbia / Σερβία, 2024, 112’
CYIFF 2026 BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Piotrek Golebiowski
- “TIGER” – David Dean Ebert
Winner: “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
CYIFF 2026 BEST SETS / COSTUMES IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Zuzanna Migdalska
- “Whimper” – Carlos Woo
Winner: “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Zuzanna Migdalska
CYIFF 2026 BEST MUSIC SCORE IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Piotrek Golebiowski
- “Whimper” – Carlos Woo
Award is shared with:
“Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Piotrek Golebiowski
“Whimper” – Carlos Woo, Hong Kong / Χονγκ Κονγκ, 2026, 55’3”
CYIFF 2026 BEST EDITING IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “The Distance We Drift” – Lee Sonnie and Wilson Ho
- “Whimper” – Carlos Woo
Winner: “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
CYIFF 2026 BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Artur Chamski
- “TIGER” – Dion Costelloe
- “Yugo Florida” – Nikola Pejaković
Winner: “Yugo Florida” – Nikola Pejaković
CYIFF 2026 BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Zhiyuan Yu
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Piotrek Golebiowski
- “Yugo Florida” – Andrija Kuzmanović
Winner: “Yugo Florida” – Andrija Kuzmanović – VIDEO GREETING
CYIFF 2026 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Li Yuji
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Magdalena Debicka
- “Yugo Florida” – Hana Selimovic
Winner: “KIM CHEOL” – Li Yuji
CYIFF 2026 BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “Not Only For The Ladies: The Fantastic Adventures of Miss Cleopatra” – Sylwia Piorkowska
- “TIGER” – Jorie Blake Rosen
- “The Distance We Drift” – Yoyo Chan
Winner: “TIGER” – Jorie Blake Rosen
CYIFF 2026 BEST SCRIPT IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “TIGER” – Kerry Ann Enright
- “Yugo Florida” – Milan Ramšak Marković, Vladimir Tagić
Winner: “TIGER” – Kerry Ann Enright
CYIFF 2026 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “That’s it for today” – Stefan Milosavljević
- “The Distance We Drift” – Victor Chung Ming Wong
Winner: “That’s it for today” – Stefan Milosavljević – VIDEO GREETING
CYIFF 2026 BEST DIRECTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:
- “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
- “TIGER” – Kerry Ann Enright
- “Whimper” – Carlos Woo
Winner: “TIGER” – Kerry Ann Enright
CYIFF 2026 BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
“Whimper” – Carlos Woo
CYIFF 2026 BEST FEATURE FILM
WINNER: “KIM CHEOL” – Chengfeng Jin
GOLDEN APHRODITE AWARD