The 14th International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC) concluded with an awards ceremony at Rialto Theatre, presided over by Deputy Minister of Culture Dr Vasiliki Kasianidou.
In the international competition, Haitian director Samuel Suffren’s “Dreams like Paper Boats” secured the €4,000 First Prize for Best Short Film. The jury praised its post-colonial narrative and black-and-white cinematography. Finnish entry “Pena’s Special Hauling” by Anssi Kasitonni claimed the €1,500 Second Prize.
Brazilian filmmaker Moara Passoni received the €2,500 Best Director Award for “My Mother is a Cow”, whilst Belgian director Emmanuel Van Der Auwera’s “White Cloud” won the €3,000 Best Documentary Prize.
The Netherlands-Swiss co-production “looking she said I forget” by Naomi Pacifique was nominated for the European Film Academy Awards 2025. Honorary distinctions went to films from the Czech Republic, China/Switzerland, and Bahrain.
In the national competition, “Tsikitigklon the Fairy and the Man” by Marios Mettis won the €4,000 Best Cypriot Short Film award, with Meray Diner’s “Pink Moon” securing the €2,500 Second Prize.
Sylvia Nicolaides and Nicolas Iordanou received the Dinos Katsouridis Best Director Award for “Requiem in Salt”, including €2,500 and technical equipment. Christos Zeniou won Best Cinematography for “Pakistani”, whilst Marios Ioannou took Best Performance for his role in “Tsikitigklon the Fairy and the Man”.
The animation “Underground” by Yiannis Christoforou received an honorary distinction, and Winston Hacking’s “Jump Cut” won the Amaze Me Music Video category.
The festival’s international jury comprised president Agron Domi alongside members Denise Nikolakou, John Canciani, Amos Geva, and Monica Nicolaidou. The ISFFC will return for its 15th edition in October 2025.