International Short Film Festival of Cyprus

After a ten year course of five successful editions (biennium) as a competitive short film festival for Cypriot filmmakers, the festival becomes for the first time this year an annual and an international event.

The ISFFC is the official short film festival of Cyprus organized by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus and the RIALTO Theatre.

The 1st edition of the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus is dedicated to the great film director from Limassol, Michalis Kakoyiannis.
One of the primary concerns of the ISFFC is to accentuate the independence of short films as an art form and to create a special environment and audience for them. By presenting an interesting variety of international short film productions, it offers its visitors a diverse forum and serves as a popular meeting point for filmmakers and audiences from both Cyprus and abroad.

The Artistic Committee , which gives the ISFFC its character and identity through the selection of the International films in competition and the parallel programs of the festival is represented by film directors Alexia Roider and Ioakim Mylona. The International Short Film Festival of Cyprus has as its main objective the promotion of cinematographic art by presenting a diverse showcase of the best short films from Cyprus and from around the globe. It awards the work of talented filmmakers who successfully use creative cinematic language forms and effectively tell a story in a short film.

ISFFC Jury
The International five member jury for this year’s edition is comprised by acclaimed film professionals from around the globe.

• Nina Kellgren (President of the Committee) – BSc Director of Photography, UK.
• Fabrizio Ferrari – Festival organizer and Director of Roma Independent Film Festival, Italy.
• Thodoris Papadoulakis – Film Director, Greece. Director of the TV Series “To Nisi” and of many award-winning short films.
• Costas Yiallourides – Film Director, Cyprus/Greece. Winner of Cyprus short film festival 2009. (last edition)
• Silke Schmickl – Director/Co-founder Lowave, France

Screenings - Masterclasses – Workshops

The festival’s International programme presents a great variety of the best fiction, animation and documentary short films. More than 60 films have been selected for the competition, among them films which have been awarded in the most prestigious and acclaimed festivals around the world, likes Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam and Oberhausen.
18 Cypriot films will be competing both in the national and international sections for awards prizes worth more than 20,000 Euros.

The festival week also provides an extensive range of special programmes and events that aim to educate and entertain.
The Cyprus Retro Screenings is a selection of old Cypriot short films dating back many decades. Signes de Nuit Short Film Festival from Paris is a festival focusing on “Cinema Different”. The director of the festival, Dieter Wieczorek will be presenting a selection of their best short films. Another interesting programme is the screening of new Italian short films from the Roma Independent Film Festival 2011 (RIFF)presented by the festival’s organizer, Fabrizio Ferrari, who is also a member of the ISFFC Jury. The festival also hosts the International Festival of Animation of Cyprus which is also celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Therefore, the festival’s artistic director, Giorgos Tsangaris, will be presenting a special programme with the title “Aspects of the fantastic” thus bringing the best of this countryside festival to the heart of the city of Limassol.

“Making a film in 3 days” is a film competition for the students of the Cyprus University of Technology. The competition will take place during the festival week and the completed works will be screened on the closing day of the ISFFC.

A masterclass by award-winning director Thodoris Papadoulakis and actor Stelios Mainas will also be taking place during the festival.
Also very important is the presentation of Lowave, a film label and short film distributor from Frnace. Silke Schmikl, the company’s director and co-founder will be talking about the sales and distribution of international shorts and will be showcasing selected works.The festival also includes special screenings for children and a children’s animation workshop, “ How to make a short film with the technique of engraving and painting” by artist Efklides Papadopoulos.

On the whole the ISFFC creates a comprehensive and exciting cinematic experience for everybody who loves short films.

Cyprus makes a magnificent film set because of its fascinating history, exceptional geographical diversity, natural beauties and splendid weather. It is where the East meets the West, where tradition and popular culture blend in with new technologies and modern lifestyle. The beautiful, coastal city of Limassol is an ideal place to hold an International cinema event, as the city offers a multitude of attractions, cultural events, entertainment, nightlife and accommodation right next to the sea and the city centre.

The island of Cyprus lies in an advantageous spot in the Eastern Mediterranean, right at the crossroads of three continents, therefore, the ISFFC serves as an ideal meeting point for filmmakers from Europe, Asia and Africa.

The International short film Festival of Cyprus wants to contribute in a decisive way to making Limassol a city in which cinematographic and audiovisual culture and production flourishes and grows.

Under the auspices of the Mayor of Limassol Mr. Andreas Christou.

Free Entrance (Ticket reservation at the theatre’s box office is necessary)

The detailed and full programme of the Festival is available on the Festival’s website at www.isffc.com.cy

All films will be screened in their original language with Greek and English subtitles.

Information/Reservations: RIALTO Theatre 77 77 77 45