In a statement released today, the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture announced that the seven-member National Oscar Nomination Committee hascompleted its work for the year 2026 in accordance with the criteria and established procedures, as defined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).
After reviewing the submitted films, the Committee selected the film “Hold Onto Me” by Myrsini Aristidou as Cyprus’s first official selection for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA), on March 14, 2027. This film has been officially submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Deputy Ministry of Culture and the National Oscar Nomination Committee wish every success to director Myrsini Aristidou, producer Ms. Monica Nikolaidou (Filmblades), and to everyone involved in the film.
Film
Details:
Screenplay and Direction: Myrsini Aristidou
Director of Photography: Lasse Ulvedal Tolbel
Production Designer: Dimitra Sourlanti
Costume Designer: Sasha Paloudan
Editing: Jenna Manguland
Music: Alex Weston
Sound Recording: Stavros Terlikkas
Sound Design: Christos Kyriakoulis, Aris Louziotis
Mixing: Kostas Varibobitis
Color Grading: Brian Wus
Makeup: Ioanna Nika, Giorgos Vavanos
Hair: Sotiris Foiniris
Casting Directors: Daina Papadaki, Michalis Michailidis, Lydia Georgana
Cast: Christos Passalis, Maria Petrova, Aulona Lupa, Jenny Sallo, Nikolas Metaxas, Achilleas Grammatikopoulos
Production: Filmblades, 1.61 Films
Awards:
- 2026 Sundance International Film Festival – Audience Award (selected)
- Sofia International Film Festival 2026 – Special Mention for Maria Petrova
- Cyprus Film Days 2026 – Best Film, Best Director, Audience Award
- Los Angeles Greek Film Festival – Best Film
- International Film Festival 2026 – Media Choice Award for Filmmaker, Best Performance Award for Maria Petrova
Synopsis:
Eleven-year-old Iris learns that her estranged father, Aris, has returned for his own father’s funeral. Her desire to get to know him leads her to an old shipyard where he lives alone. There, an unexpected relationship begins—full of tenderness and conflicts—that will transform them both.
(EK/GS/EAth)
