FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The 23rd Cyprus Film Days International Festival 2025, taking place from 4 to 12 April, proudly presents an esteemed International Jury comprised of five distinguished experts from across the cinematic spectrum, each bringing unique insights and expertise to the event.
Leading the Jury as Chair is Aleksandra Božović from Montenegro, a renowned producer and Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro. Joining her are Delphine Leccas, an independent film curator and art manager celebrated for her innovative and diverse projects; György Pálfi, an award-winning Hungarian director and screenwriter known for his distinct creative style; Guillaume Calop, French co-founder and Director of Les Arcs Film Festival with extensive experience in organizing film events; and Agni Scott, a globally acclaimed Cypriot actress with a commanding presence in international cinema.
This International Jury will evaluate seven international and three Cypriot films competing in this year’s Glocal Images International Competition Programme. Winners will be revealed during the festival’s grand Closing and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at Rialto Theatre.
The Awards
Prizes to be presented at the ceremony include:
- Best Film Award (€6,000).
- Best Cypriot Film Award, accompanied by post-production services worth €7,000, courtesy of Authorwave.
- Special Jury Award (€3,000).
- Best Director Award (€1,000).
- Best Cinematography Award (€1,000), sponsored by Caretta Films.
- Best Cypriot Director Award, with €4,000 and access to The Studio, sponsored by CYENS Excellence Centre.
- Best Performance in a Cypriot Film (€1,000), awarded by the Municipality of Lemesos.
- Audience Award (€1,500), based on viewer votes, sponsored by Breaking Wave Productions.
Note: The awards conferred by the Jury are crafted as faithful replicas of a Neolithic human figure, inspired by an idol unearthed from the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage Monument dating back to 7000-6000 B.C.
Special Highlight: “The Jury Presents”
To celebrate the presence of György Pálfi in Cyprus, this year’s programme features a special screening of Mindörökké (Perpetuity), the Hungarian filmmaker’s latest work, set in a post-apocalyptic Hungarian-Ukrainian village.
International Jury Members
- Aleksandra Božović: An accomplished producer and cultural manager, Aleksandra is the Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro. A native of Belgrade, she holds a doctorate in Drama and Audiovisual Arts and is a member of EFAD and EWA. With over a decade of experience in production and leadership roles across Europe, she brings invaluable expertise to the jury.
- Delphine Leccas: A visionary curator and art manager, Delphine has led renowned film festivals and multidisciplinary programs, including “Shifting Shores” at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the International Festival of Arab Cinema in Marseille. Her work spans cultural institutions from Athens to Beirut.
- György Pálfi: This Budapest-based filmmaker has crafted eight feature films, including Hukkle and Taxidermia, alongside numerous shorts and music videos. An award-winning director with honors from Cannes, Karlovy Vary, and more, György remains tirelessly driven to expand his cinematic legacy.
- Guillaume Calop: Passionate about cinema and sustainability, Guillaume co-founded Les Arcs Film Festival, a prominent platform for European cinema and societal topics like ecology and gender equity. He’s also the force behind Le Village and FestiCiné, advocating for innovation in the film industry.
- Agni Scott: Born in Cyprus, Agni is an international film and stage actress celebrated for roles in productions like Persuasion and Alexander – The Making of a God. Her upcoming projects include Words of War, produced by Sean Penn.