Cyprus selects 'Hold Onto Me' as its first-ever Oscar submission

The Cyprus National Oscar Selection Committee has officially selected the feature film "Hold Onto Me" (Krata Me), directed by Myrsini Aristidou, as the country’s first-ever entry for the Best International Feature Film category. This decision follows a review process conducted by the seven-member committee in accordance with the regulations set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the United States.

The film tells the story of 11-year-old Iris and her estranged father, Aris, whose lives intersect following the death of Iris's grandfather. The production features a cast including Christos Passalis, Maria Petrova, Aulona Lupa, Jenny Sallo, Nikolas Metaxas, and Achilleas Grammatikopoulos. Prior to this nomination, the film achieved significant critical success, winning the Audience Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the Best Film and Best Director awards at the Cyprus Film Days festival, and the Best Film award at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.

The film has been formally submitted to the Academy, which will hold its 99th annual ceremony in Los Angeles on March 14, 2027. This selection marks a milestone for the Cypriot film industry as it represents the nation's inaugural participation in this specific competitive category.