8th Children & Youth Film Festival

The International Children’s Film Festival of Cyprus (ICFFCY), a non-profit organization, is organizing for the 8th year running the Children & Youth Film Festival, from 12-19 February 2011. The Festival is penned into the agendas of cinema lovers and is looked forward to by educators and children participating in the morning screenings and workshops. The Festival is under the auspices of the Children’s Rights Commissioner, Leda Koursoumba, and has the support of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus.

This year’s theme is “Helping Others”, which brought about a collaboration with the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, and a part of the proceeds will go towards the Programs and Services provided by this organization.

ICFFCY’s Festival Coordinator, Amalia Macris stated: “We are looking forward to welcoming schools to our screenings in Nicosia and very happy to be hosting screenings in Limassol for the first time.”

The Festival’s aim is to provide the audience with the opportunity to view and discuss a wide variety of films, which are selected based on their educational merit. Apart from the Morning Screenings and Workshops, the Friday Marathon in Limassol, the Saturday Marathon in Nicosia and the Bicommunal Creative Day which will be held on Sunday 19 February. The Festival will be hosting a Tribute to Cannes award winning director Tareque Masud, who passed away last summer, on Thursay, 18 February at 17:00. Mr. Masud had come to Cyprus and led a workshop in the framework of the Festival in 2008. During the Tribute a Triple Bill of his films will be screened.

This year’s film line up promises award winning films from the international production scene e.g. Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Norway and the UK. Amongst the titles of films to be screened “On the Sly”, “Tomboy”, “Ways to Live Forever”, “The Runway”, “The Crocodiles Strikeback”, “Get Educated Paatshaala” and “The Liverpool Goalie”.

This year’s Bicommunal Creative Day will take place on Sunday 19 February at CCMC from 10:00 – 14:00. This event is open to the public and children will be attending and participating in educational and fun activities having to do with film. The Closing Ceremony will take place at 16:00 of the same day at Zena Palace Cinema.

For any other information regarding the 8th Children and Youth Film Festival, please contact the Festival Coordinator, Amalia Macris, on 99 316 911 or [email protected].

Major sponsor of the 8th Children & Youth Film Festival is the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Event is sponsored by: Adboard, Action Global Communications, Cartridge World, CrewHouse Media, Chef Nouveau Catering, French Institute in Cyprus, Hellenic Bank, AdBoard, Wagamama, Samsung, Indian High Commission, Neaniko Plano, German Embassy and the Cyprus Community Media Centre. The official carrier is DHL, the graphics and illustrations are offered by Lydia Kyprianou.