15TH CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL GOLDEN APHRODITE AWARDS CEREMONY

The Cyprus International Film Festival is awarded with the EFFE Label which is Europe’s quality stamp for remarkable arts festivals showing their engagement in the field of the arts, community involvement and international openness.

The Golden Aphrodite Awards Ceremony of the 15^th Cyprus International Film Festival was held virtually on Zoom and the Festival's Facebook page on Sunday, November 22nd. This highlighted the eight day online and in-person Festival in Nicosia. The online version was powered by the inspire-tv.com platform which also provided VOD distribution for the selected films.

Petra Terzi, the Festival's director said: “I would like to thank the Festival team who worked relentlessly the last months to make this festival happen virtually. I would like to thank the Festival sponsors, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism in Cyprus, the Municipality of Nicosia, the National Machinery for Women's Rights (NMWR) and The United States Embassy in Cyprus. Also I would like to thank the K-Cineplex Nicosia Prime for the public screenings, the Landmark Nicosia Hotel for their hospitality, all jury members and all the participants either with their film, their script or just their visit at the Festival activities and screenings online and at the cinema in Nicosia. I wish next year that we all meet together again at the Cyprus International Festival in person, healthy and inspired”.

The awards in several categories are:

CYIFF 2020 Script contest
11 scripts were shortlisted in this year’s Festival script contest. I would like to thank our script analyst Mr Ioannis Teschelides for the reviews and the script analysis which enabled us to conclude with the following awards:

Feature Scripts Awards
1st place: "Round Red Candy" by Michael Kokkinaris - Greece & George Mehalchick - USA
2nd place: "Roya" by Mahmoud Salimi - Afghanistan
3rd place: "MELINA I was born Greek" by Melina Chiaverini - USA

Short Scripts
Honorable Mentions
"Punish me" by Michael Dukakis - USA
"Far from the Olive Grove" by Andrea Land - United Kingdom

A’ PART - AWARDS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES

The Jury members for the short films. documentaries and various categories are:
Lawrence David Foldes-director, producer, Prof. Karl Bardosh-director,producer, Bejay Browne-journalist,director,producer, Rania Mesiskli-singer, artist,writer, Mélissa Petitjean-sound engineer, Agis Paikos-director, writer, George E. Mehalchick-writer, WIFT CYPRUS - Anna Christofini, photographer, Maria Palmer - film critic, Petra Terzi - filmmaker, producer, writer and WIFT GREECE - Ioanna Athanassatou, academic, Valerie Kontakos, film director and Poly Tranidou, producer.

CYIFF 2020 BEST MOBILE FILM
ROSE flowing in the wave - Donguk Hwang, Republic of Korea, 2020, 19’40’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST ART – DANCE AWARD ΙΝ Α SHORT FILM
Align - R.E. Wolfe, 2020, 7'22''

CYIFF 2020 ΑΝΙΜΑΤΙΟΝ AWARD
To the dusty sea – Héloïse Ferlay, France, 2020, 12’23’’

CYIFF 2020 FILM WITH A STRONG MESSAGE FOR THE CLIMATE CHANGE
Comme Des Ocean – Amy Cousins, UK, 2019, 2’44’’

CYIFF 2020 APHRODITE CINEMATIC AWARD (the award is given to a female director with a promising film making career)
A Tango To Remember - Severine Reisp, United States, 2020, 7’

CYIFF 2020 50/50 (This category involves directors who do exceptional film productions with equal number of male and female associates in the credits, crew and actors)
Anna - Dekel Berenson, UK, 2019, 14'59''

CYIFF 2020 GOT TALENT (This category involves filmmakers with their first short film)

CYIFF 2020 GOT TALENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Once Upon A Time in Hoi Shing Road - Jas Pun, Hong Kong, 2019, 15’

CYIFF 2020 GOT TALENT IN DIRECTION
Black King Down - Anna Spyrou, USA, 2017, 9’54’’

CYIFF 2020 GOT TALENT dafnes
The Test - Bartosz Toboła, Poland , 2020, 12'12''

CYIFF 2020 BEST VETERAN’s SHORT FILMS (these awards are given to filmmakers with more films in their portfolio)

SPECIAL MENTION to Maria Brendle by WIFT GREECE - Special mention for using whatever tools necessary to tell an affecting and powerful story, blurring the boundaries between documentary and fiction filmmaking.

Ala Kachuu: Take and Run - Maria Brendle, Switzerland, 2020, 38’26’

CYIFF 2020 A’ SPECIAL JURY PRIZE AT A VETERAN's SHORT FILM
Swept Away – Thomas Grascoeur, USA, 2019. 12’9’’

CYIFF 2020 B’ SPECIAL JURY PRIZE AT A VETERAN's SHORT FILM
Above the borders - Sokratis Romilios, Greece, 2020, 11'18''

CYIFF 2020 BEST SHORT VETERAN’s MUSIC
Yael's Room – Shir Cohen, Israel, 2019, 22’45’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST SHORT VETERAN’s SCRIPT
Fortissimo – Janine Piguet, Switzerland, 2019, 20’

CYIFF 2020 BEST SHORT VETERAN’s CINEMATOGRAPHY
The award is shared by:

Above the borders - Sokratis Romilios, Greece / Ελλάδα, 2020, 11'18'' 
Praskovya - Alexander Solovyov, Russia,2019, 5’17’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST SHORT VETERAN’s DIRECTION
Praskovya - Alexander Solovyov, Russia,2019, 5’17’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST VETERAN’s SHORT FILM
In This Land We're Briefly Ghosts - Chen-Wen Lo, Taiwan, 2019, 16

by WIFT CYPRUS - By making a film about the underrepresented Burmese child soldiers, Chen-Wen Lo brings to audiences something of the sense of shock and anguish that prompts the young filmmaker to give voice to the fact that so many children in the world are treated as disposable in surprisingly similar ways.

CYIFF 2020 BEST GREEK SHORT

This award is shared to

1. Violetta - Fivos Imellos, Greece, 2019, 14'47''
2. Anathema - Paolo Antypas, Cyprus, 2019, 14’26’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST PROOF OF CONCEPT
Sven Gunnar - Darwin Reina, Sweden,10’41’’

CYIFF 2020 BEST VETERAN SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Kanda Bode (Don't Get Whipped) - Fekad Kiros & Cheryl Halpern, Ethiopia, 2020, 25’
by WIFT GREECE - for the filmmaker’s ability to present gender driven oppression against women through outdated rituals of certain tribes in Africa, and the encouraging way in which the views and actions of the younger tribe members are working towards change.

CYIFF 2020 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A VETERAN FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Revelation of Jonah - Alexander Gratovsky & Nicole Gratovsky, Spain, 2020, 51'43''

CYIFF 2020 BEST VETERAN FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Mrs G. - Dalit Kimor, Israel, 2019, 54'
by WIFT CYPRUS - Mrs.G is a highly engaging film. At it’s centre, the matriarchal presence of Mrs. Lea Gottlieb, the designer, founder and owner of the Gottex swimwear empire.

CYIFF 2020 BEST TALENT SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Shape Shifters - Polina Zelmanova, United Kingdom, 2020, 8’14’’
by WIFT GREECE - for the director’s ability to sensitively approach her topic through poetic images and her experimental handling of them.

CYIFF 2020 BEST TALENT FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
United we sing - Dan Petracca, USA, 2019, 75'
by WIFT CYPRUS - United we sing is a stand out memorable documentary, which engages the audience from the get go. Inspiring, uplifting and particularly poignant at a time when the world needs hope; the film is magnetic. Accomplished and well crafted, it has compelling and engaging content and a message that lifts the spirits and also highlights disparity in the world. Music is a primal force and has the power to unite; it does so delightfully in this film. Excellent cinematography, sound, direction and editing, Petracca has created a masterclass on how to make an original and unique film.

The New Abolitionists - Christina Zorich, USA, 2020, 98'35''
by WIFT CYPRUS - HONORABLE MENTION
The New Abolitionists is a brave, gut punching film by talented filmmaker Christina Zorich , as she follows abolitionists through Southeast Asia. Heartbreaking stories of trafficked young girls existing in the dark underbelly of society make for absorbing, shocking and uncomfortable viewing. Female empowerment, courage, rehabilitation and self worth are all vitally important messages in this film and Zorich’s dedication to the cause is apparent in every frame. This is a highly accomplished and human film and Zorich should be commended for her talent and obvious unwavering commitment to such an important subject.

CYIFF 2020 NOSTIMON IMAR
Sarmako: A Tale of the North- Marco Papadopoulos, Greece, 2020, 115’

B’ PART – VETERANS FEATURE FILMS
4 FEATURE FILMS COMPETE IN THE VETERANS FEATURE FILMS CATEGORY:

1. Depth of Pyaar- Mukesh Asopa, Canada, 2019, 93’6’’
2. Lost records - Tiago P. de Carvalho, Portugal, 2020, 61’
3. Like Fireworks, Like Yellow Roses - Chao Wang, China, 2020, 90’40’’
4. Macao's first October – XinYiru, China, 2019, 85'
5. Dongjiang Wind And Cloud - YuCaibin, China, 2019, 85'

CYIFF 2020 BEST VETERAN’s FEATURE FILM
Macao's first October – XinYiru, China, 2019, 85'

C’ PART – GOLDEN APHRODITE

The Jury members of the GOLDEN APHRODITE category, which includes directors' first feature films, are: Bill Butler -ASC Cinematographer, Vivek Singhania - producer, George F. Roberson - producer, writer,   Brian Trenchard-Smith - producer, director, writer and Tiffany Boyle – producer.

ELEVEN FEATURE FILMS COMPETE IN THE “GOLDEN APHRODITE” CATEGORY:

1. Just A Fling - Gorune Aprikian, France,2016, 85'
2. Being Mortal - Liu Ze, China, 2020, 98’11’’
3. Iris - Diana Rodriguez, USA, 2020, 104’
4. Nia on Vacation - Cat Papadimitriou, USA, 2019, 88’
5. Toprak - Sevgi Hirschhäuser, Turkey, 2020, 105’53’’
6. Sarmako: A Tale of the North- Marco Papadopoulos, Germany, 2020, 115’
7. The last joke - Vasilis Kalemos, Greece, 2020, 70’
8. Shibil - Nikola Bozadzhiev, Bulgaria, 2019, 115’13’’
9. Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse - Javad Daraei, Iran, 2020. 80’
10. Woman of the Photographs – Takeshi Kushida, Japan, 2020, 88’48’’
11. Grey Fish - He Sheng, China, 2020, 79’24’’

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CYIFF 2020 BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Shibil - First Clapper, Bulgaria
Just A Fling - Gorune Aprikian, France
Woman of the Photographs – Takeshi Kushida, Japan

Winner: Shibil - First Clapper, Bulgaria

CYIFF 2020 BEST SETS / COSTUMES IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Sarmako: A Tale of the North - Marco Papadopoulos, Germany
Shibil - Pera Ivanova, Bulgaria
Woman of the Photographs – Takeshi Kushida, Japan
Winner: Shibil - Pera Ivanova, Bulgaria

CYIFF 2020 BEST MUSIC SCORE IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Sarmako: A Tale of the North - Marco Papadopoulos, Germany
Shibil - George Strezov, Bulgaria
Woman of the Photographs – Masahiro YUI, Japan

Winner: Shibil - George Strezov, Bulgaria

CYIFF 2020 BEST EDITING IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Shibil -Yosif Kokonchev, Bulgaria
Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse - Javad Daraei, Iran
Woman of the Photographs -Atsushi Gaudi Yamamoto , Japan

Winner: Woman of the Photographs -Atsushi Gaudi Yamamoto , Japan

CYIFF 2020 BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Just A Fling - Amaury de Crayencour, France
Toprak - Burak Aydin , Turkey
Woman of the Photographs - Hideki Nagai , Japan

Winner: Woman of the Photographs - Hideki Nagai , Japan

CYIFF 2020 BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Just A Fling - Fanny Valette, France
Iris - Alice Kremelberg, USA
Shibil - Desislava Vuleva, Bulgaria
Winner: Just A Fling - Fanny Valette, France

CYIFF 2020 BEST SCRIPT IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Sarmako: A Tale of the North - Marco Papadopoulos, Germany
Just A Fling -Gorune Aprikian, France
Woman of the Photographs – Takeshi Kushida, Japan

Winner: Just A Fling -Gorune Aprikian, France

CYIFF 2020 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Being Mortal - Liu Ze, China
Shibil - Stefan Vrachev, Bulgaria
Woman of the Photographs –Yu OISHI, Japan

Winner: Shibil - Stefan Vrachev, Bulgaria

CYIFF 2020 BEST DIRECTOR IN A FIRST FEATURE FILM
Nominations:

Sarmako: A Tale of the North - Marco Papadopoulos, Germany
Just A Fling - Gorune Aprikian, France
Toprak - Sevgi Hirschhäuser, Turkey

Winner: Toprak - Sevgi Hirschhäuser, Turkey

CYIFF 2020 BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM WINS THE GOLDEN APHRODITE AWARD

Woman of the Photographs – Takeshi Kushida, Japan

Golden Aphrodite for Woman of the Photographs by Takeshi Kushida

Best wishes, stay safe, healthy and be inspired!
Petra Terzi
Cyprus International Film Festival CEO
www.cyiff.eu