Cypriot horror film Motherwitch achieves domestic box office success and international recognition

The first Cypriot horror film, Motherwitch (Dodekameron), directed by Minos Papas, has secured the top spot at the local box office during the Halloween weekend, outperforming the Hollywood production Clayface. Following strong audience demand, the theatrical run of the film has been extended for an additional week, with screenings scheduled to continue from November 5 to November 11, 2026, at the Premier Cinemas in Nicosia Mall and Rio Cinemas in Limassol.

In addition to its commercial success in Cyprus, the film has received international acclaim. Lead actress Margarita Zachariou was awarded the Best Actress prize at the 18th Grimmfest, held in Manchester from October 8 to 11, 2026. Zachariou shared the award with Ariāna Osborne and was recognized by the jury for her ability to portray maternal grief with emotional depth and intensity. Audiences and critics have highlighted the film's production quality and its authentic use of an older form of the Cypriot dialect as key elements of its success.