About Us
Our Mission .
Acknowledging the power of cinema and its importance in shaping and moulding contemporary societies, the Department of Modern and Contemporary Culture has been actively contributing towards the development of filmmaking and film exhibition in Cyprus.
A multifaceted policy has been developed, aiming to enhance film production and education. This is achieved through grants awarded to Cypriot filmmakers and producers, to complete and distribute their works internationally. By simultaneously supporting cinema clubs, local festivals and other stakeholders in the sector, Cypriot audiences can be acquainted with different creators and movements throughout the history of world cinema, cultivating their aesthetic sensibilities and developing their critical thinking.
Completed Movies
In Progress
In Development
Cyprus in International Film Festivals .
Cyprus is present in the pavilions of the International Film Festival of Cannes, Berlinale, Thessaloniki, Clermont-Ferrand and Drama. Cyprus was also among the founding members of the Eurimages Fund, an initiative of the Council of Europe, established in 1989. As a result, Cypriot co-productions are eligible for funding by Eurimages, which, inter-alia, funds co-productions of European works. To date, around nine feature films whose main producer was the Deputy Ministry of Culture have received funding from Eurimages.
In February 2003, Cyprus signed a memorandum of agreement in Brussels with the European Union regarding its participation in the MEDIA PLUS (2001-2005) Programme, the continuation of MEDIA II. The status of Cyprus in the MEDIA PLUS Programme changed after 2004, following its accession to the EU together with nine other countries. In 2013, with the approval of the new Programme entitled Creative Europe, the continuation of the ‘Media’, ‘Media Mundos’ and ‘Culture’, programmes, Cyprus established the ‘Creative Europe Desk’, in full compliance with the needs and requirements of the new Programme.
Cinema Advisory Committee / SEKin .
State-funded film production in Cyprus began in May 1994 with the establishment of the CINEMA ADVISORY COMMITTEE, following the decision of the Council of Ministers (March, 1994). The Committee’s mandate is to propose for funding to the competent Ministerial Committee the best proposals submitted by Cypriot producers in the categories of feature films, short films and documentary films, as well as encourage co-productions with other countries. Its responsibilities also include the in-depth study of the Cypriot film industry and the submission of proposals for the enactment of legislation on cinema and audiovisual matters in Cyprus.
