Cypriot filmmaker Myrsinē Aristidou wins 2026 Young Artist Award

The Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts has awarded the 2026 Young Artist Award in the fields of Visual Arts and Cinema to Cypriot director Myrsinē Aristidou. The decision was formally reached during the Academy’s 74th Plenary Session held on October 21, 2026, following a recommendation from the Class of Letters and Arts. This accolade recognizes Aristidou’s consistent creative output, original vision, and significant contribution to modern Cypriot cinema.

Aristidou is a graduate of the Pratt Institute and holds a Master’s degree in film directing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Her work, which often focuses on human relationships and family bonds, has been showcased at major global festivals including Sundance, Berlinale, Venice, and Toronto. Her debut feature film, "Hold Onto Me," premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, and subsequently earned honors for Best Cypriot Film and Best Directing at the 2026 Cyprus Film Days. She is also recognized for her 2015 short film "Semele.