16th International Short Film Festival of Cyprus concludes in Limassol

The 16th International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC) concluded on Friday, October 16, 2026, with an open-air awards ceremony in Heroes’ Square, Limassol. The event, held from October 10 to 16 at the Rialto Theatre, was co-organized by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Rialto Theatre. Under the artistic direction of Keti Papadema and Diomedes Koufteros, the festival featured both international and national competition programs, alongside workshops and industry events.

In the National Competition, Christos Artemiou secured the first prize for best Cypriot short film for the second consecutive year with his work 'Kinds of Fathers,' receiving 4,000 euros and technical equipment. Alexandra Matheou’s 'Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection)' earned three awards, including the second prize, the 'Dinos Katsourides' Directing Award, and best performance for Grigoria Metheniti. Ermolaos Fotiou’s 'Runner' won the best cinematography award and the festival’s first Peer Award, while Sofia Anastasiou’s 'Valentinos' received the audience award. In the International Competition, the 4,000 euro first prize for best short film was awarded to 'Family Feast' by Nadir Taji.

The festival served as a cultural hub for filmmakers and cinephiles, emphasizing inclusivity through its accessible, open-air closing format. Beyond the main competitions, the program included script development workshops and collaborative industry sessions, underscoring the festival's role in promoting cinematic arts in Cyprus.