The film 'Hold Onto Me' by Cypriot director Myrsini Aristidou has been chosen as the first official selection of Cyprus for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film by the seven-member National Nomination Committee for the Oscars.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture said in a press release that the Committee has completed its work for the year 2026 based on the criteria and established procedures as defined by the 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' first official selection for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles, USA, on 14 March, 2027. This film has been officially submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The film features actors Christos Passalis, Maria Petrova, Aulona Lupa, Jenny Sallo, Nikolas Metaxas, and Achilleas Grammatikopoulos.
The film has already received the Audience Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, an Honorable Mention for actress Maria Petrova at the 2026 Sofia International Film Festival, Best Film, Best Director, and Audience Awards at the 2026 Cyprus Film Days Festival, Best Film Award at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, and a performance award for actress Maria Petrova at the 2026 International Film Festival – Media Choice Award For Filmmaker.
The film follows 11-year-old Iris, who learns that her estranged father, Aris, has returned for the funeral of his own father. Her need to meet him leads her to an old shipyard where Aris lives alone. There, an unexpected relationship begins that will transform both of them.
(Source: CNA)
Also read: Sundance Audience award-winner 'Hold Onto Me' hits cinemas in Cyprus
