Through a story that bridges continents, from the United States to Cyprus, Hold Onto Me – filmed entirely on the island by Cypriot director Myrsini Aristidou – made history by winning the prestigious Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Here, the director offers insight into her creative process while underscoring Cyprus’ growing potential as a global filming destination.
Having emerged as a crowd favourite at the 2026 Sundance International Film Festival, the film Hold Onto Me proved that a local production can transcend borders, through a story filmed entirely on the island that connected with audiences globally.
“It was a major milestone, especially because the film was made under challenging circumstances and over many years,” says Myrsini Aristidou, the writer and director of the film which captivated audiences and won the Audience Award in the Festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition. With a premise that resonated deeply during its premiere in Park City, Utah, Hold Onto Me became the first Cypriot production and Greek-language feature film to win at the prestigious festival.
The world premiere marked a defining moment for Cypriot cinema – it played to a sold-out audience and earned a double standing ovation. The response from critics and viewers alike was immediate and enthusiastic, signaling the film’s ability to cross cultural and linguistic boundaries. Meanwhile, at home, where it was screened at the 24th Cyprus Film Days International Festival, Aristidou notes, “I think people felt proud to see a Cypriot film connect with audiences internationally in such a direct way. The response from both the industry and the wider public has been very moving.” That sense of collective pride evidently reflects a broader shift in how Cypriot storytelling is being perceived on the global stage.
Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Cyprus, the film – described as a “captivating and emotionally rich” coming-of-age story – has further elevated the island’s standing as growing filming destination. Beyond the accolades, its true strength lies in its emotional authenticity and the universality of its themes, which touch the hearts of audiences everywhere.
At its core, the film follows Iris, an 11-year-old girl attempting to reconnect with her estranged father when he returns to her town for his own father’s funeral. Through this intimate narrative, it explores themes of grief, reconciliation, identity and the complexity of family relationships. The story unfolds with a quiet intensity, allowing space for emotional nuance and reflection. Cyprus itself plays an integral role in shaping the film’s atmosphere, contributing to its nostalgic and grounded tone. Filming on the island, Aristidou recalls, was “both deeply rewarding and very demanding,” requiring a careful balance between creative ambition and practical limitations. For her, storytelling has always been an intrinsic part of life, making Hold Onto Me feel like a natural extension of her inner world rather than a departure from it.
On screen, Aristidou depicts Cyprus as a place of natural beauty and emotional depth, offering a unique cinematic language that enhances the storytelling. “There is a strong sense of closeness and commitment among local collaborators, which became one of the film’s strengths,” she explains. Filming on the island felt personal rather than industrial, an intimacy that ultimately shaped the film itself. Indeed, that sense of closeness extended beyond the professional environment to influence the performances, the atmosphere on set and the overall creative process. Iris herself can be viewed as an allegory for Cyprus – small, searching for identity and carrying the weight of unresolved history – adding another layer of meaning to the narrative.
The decision to film in Cyprus was intentional and central to the film’s vision. “Cyprus has a particular emotional atmosphere, light, geography and social reality that could not really be replicated elsewhere,” Aristidou says. She was interested in avoiding an “exoticised” portrayal of the island, instead presenting it in a way that feels honest and lived-in. “In many ways, the film could almost exist anywhere emotionally and that was part of the point,” she explains. “I did not want to use Cyprus as a substitute for another country, but rather to show that a place like Cyprus can hold stories that resonate far beyond its borders without losing its own identity.”
Creating Hold Onto Me was extremely special. The production itself was a labour of love, bringing together both experienced professionals and members of the local community – people who were not necessarily used to working on film sets became part of the process, from marine coordinators to local supporters. “What stood out to me most was the level of generosity, willingness and energy people brought to the project,” Aristidou says, recalling how that real sense of togetherness and spirit was present throughout the shared cultural endeavour.
While more often associated with tourism and business incentives, Cyprus has increasingly attracted international film and TV productions in recent years. In May, came the announcement of the first Bollywood film to be shot on the island, another sign of an industry gradually stretching beyond its geographical borders. It follows in the footsteps of other foreign productions from the US, UK, Germany, France and Greece, all drawn by the island’s beauty and its rich historical textures. Aristidou says that the visibility created by Hold Onto Me will hopefully invite more curiosity about Cyprus, both creatively and professionally. “We are fortunate to come from a deeply cultural and philosophical background, and I think it is time to embrace that more confidently and share it with the world,” she declares.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture is increasingly providing funding and incentives for creators who choose to shoot in Cyprus, helping to make independent cinema a little more possible. Its support was essential in bringing her film to life, says Aristidou, who also notes the importance of supporting filmmakers, crews, education and cultural infrastructure over time, in order to build a film ecosystem that can truly last. “I think the future lies in finding a balance between local cultural development and international openness,” she says.
Thanks to its varied locations, ideal climate and growing talent pool, Cyprus is quickly becoming a major film production hub and Myrsini Aristidou believes that it has the potential to compete internationally, provided that it continues to invest in cinema education and cultivate both audiences and professionals. Developing local talent, encouraging new voices and fostering a deeper appreciation for cinema are all key elements in shaping the future of the industry.
Beyond the acclamation and the awards, the film’s success has had a meaningful impact on Aristidou, both personally and professionally. She admits that she has always felt that her life and work were so deeply intertwined that it was often hard to separate the two. Since the success of Hold Onto Me, she says that she is learning to draw a clearer line, allowing life itself to hold meaning beyond work and artistic output alone. The film’s success, she explains, has certainly widened the scale of the conversations she is now having and the opportunities that lie ahead, but it has also made her reflect more carefully on the kind of life and creative path she wants to build moving forward.
Of course, she is already thinking about the next chapter of her career and is currently developing new projects for both cinema and television. While it is still too early to go into detail, Cyprus remains creatively important to her. “I would not rule out another feature set here,” she says.
Hold Onto Me will be released in Cypriot cinemas in September 2026. “I truly hope audiences will watch it and support the local filmmaking community and industry,” Aristidou says. The response so far has been encouraging. “Many people have connected with the film on a deeply personal level, which means a great deal to me because it deals with themes that are often difficult to discuss openly,” she explains, underlining the fact that the human connection is ultimately the most meaningful part of filmmaking.
This interview first appeared in the most recent edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management. Click here to view it.
Photo by Giorgos Charal.