View source for Cinema of Cyprus

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The '''cinema of Cyprus'''{{efn|Including the [[Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]] but excluding [[Northern Cyprus]], which is not legally recognised by any country other than [[Turkey]].}} came into existence much later than others, with the 1960s generally being accepted as the industry's earliest notable history. The industry has historically suffered from slow growth due to the island's small {{nowrap|population{{emdash}}a}} large percentage of whom are preoccupied by the {{nowrap|[[Cyprus problem]]{{emdash}}and}} its awkward geographical location at the crossroads of [[Southeast Europe]], [[West Asia]], and the [[Middle East]].

The country's film industry has progressed exponentially since the late 2010s, when Cyprus began marketing itself to foreign studios with the nickname "[[Olivewood]]" and convinced producers from influential film industries such as [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] to choose it as a filming location, in addition to Cypriot filmmakers receiving praise at foreign festivals and the [[Christodoulides government]] giving the arts sector an unprecedented level of financial support as part of its Invest Cyprus scheme.

== Overview ==
[[File:Movie XD 6D cinema Ledra street Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|right|220px|A cinema on [[Ledra Street]] in 2012]]
[[Michael Cacoyannis]] became the most famous Cypriot filmmaker to date when he wrote, directed, edited, and produced ''[[Zorba the Greek (film)|Zorba the Greek]]'' (1964). Another filmmaker working at the same time was George Filis, who made the films ''Loves and Woes'' (1967),{{efn|Greek: ''Agapes kai kaimoi''.}} ''The Last Kiss'' (1970),{{efn|Greek: ''To teleftaio fili''.}} ''[[Grigoris Afxentiou|Gregoris Afxentiou]]: A Hero With a Memoir'' (1973),{{efn|Greek: ''Gregoris Afxentiou: Enas roas me to mnimoskopio''.}} ''This Is How Cyprus Was Betrayed'' (1974),{{efn|Greek: ''Etsi prodothike i Kypros''.}} and ''The Mega Document'' (1979).{{efn|Greek: ''To mega dokoumento''.}} The only films by Filis that are not political works about the [[Cyprus Emergency]] or the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish invasion]] are ''Loves and Woes'', a documentary about traditional Cypriot dances and music, and ''The Last Kiss'', a romantic drama.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://imdb.com/name/nm0277165/ | title=Georgios Filis &#124; Director, Producer, Writer | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>

Since 1989, Cypriot co-productions have been eligible for funding from the [[Council of Europe]]'s [[Eurimages]] Fund. To date, four feature films on which a Cypriot was listed as an executive producer have received funding from Eurimages: ''Of Greece'' (scheduled for 1995 but unreleased),{{efn|Greek: ''Hellados'', also planned to be released under the English title ''And the Trains Fly to the Sky''.}} ''The Slaughter of the Rooster'' (1996),{{efn|Greek: ''I sphagi tou kokora''.}} ''The Promise'' (1999),{{efn|Greek: ''To Tama''.}} and ''The Road to Ithica'' (2000).{{efn|Greek: ''O Dromos gia tin Ithaki''.}}<ref>"[http://www.filmbirth.com/cyprus.html Film Birth – History of Cinema – Cyprus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012748/http://www.filmbirth.com/cyprus.html |date=2015-09-24 }}".</ref> There is also a government-backed initiative for filmmakers to apply for funding from the Invest Cyprus scheme,<ref name="filminvest">[https://film.investcyprus.org.cy Cyprus: A natural film studio]</ref> which absorbed the former Filming in Cyprus scheme upon its creation in 2024.<ref>[https://filmingincyprus.gov.cy Filming In Cyprus All-In-One Filming Destination]</ref>

In 1994, Cypriot film production received a boost with the establishment of the island's Cinema Advisory Committee. By 2000, the annual amount set aside for filmmaking in the national budget was [[Cypriot pound|CYP£]]500,000 (approximately [[Euro|€]]850,000). Statistics showed that in 2011 the country hosted 30 cinema screens,<ref name=screens_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 8: Cinema Infrastructure - Capacity|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5542|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225516/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5542|url-status=dead}}</ref> produced three films (two fictional and one documentary),<ref name=production_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 1: Feature Film Production - Genre/Method of Shooting|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5545|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225519/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5545|url-status=dead}}</ref> sold 870,000 tickets,<ref name=adm_gross_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 11: Exhibition - Admissions & Gross Box Office (GBO)|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5538|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053209/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5538|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ec_profiles>{{cite web|title=Country Profiles|url=http://www.europa-cinemas.org/en/Resources/Country-Profiles|publisher=Europa Cinemas|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109234823/http://www.europa-cinemas.org/en/Resources/Country-Profiles|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and grossed €7.11 million at the box office.<ref name=adm_gross_uis/> At the same time, its three biggest distributors were (in order) Four Stars Films, [[Odeon Cinemas|Odeon]], and Feelgood.<ref name=distributors_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 6: Share of Top 3 distributors (Excel)|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225508/http://data.uis.unesco.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marios Piperides' film ''Smuggling Hendrix'' (2018) received acclaim at that year's [[Tribeca Film Festival]],<ref>"[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4974616/?ref_=nm_knf_i1 Smuggling Hendrix (2018)]</ref><ref>"[https://variety.com/2018/film/festivals/smuggling-hendrix-review-1202909777/ Variety: Film Review: 'Smuggling Hendrix']</ref><ref>"[https://cineuropa.org/film/349509/ Cineuropa: Smuggling Hendrix]</ref> while Tonia Mishiali's film ''[[Pause (2018 film)|Pause]]'' (2018) also received positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/cyprus-news/item/116615-fne-at-kviff-2018-film-in-cyprus-is-blossoming|title=FNE at KVIFF 2018: Film in Cyprus is Blossoming - FilmNewEurope.com|first=Anna|last=Franklin|website=www.filmneweurope.com}}</ref>

Since around 2018, Cyprus has attempted to market itself as a filming location and branded itself "[[Olivewood]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2018/10/10/cyprus-olivewood-officially-launched-as-a-film-location/|title=Cyprus 'Olivewood' officially launched as a film location|first=Jean|last=Christou|date=October 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/antonisantoniou/2019/06/22/after-hollywood-and-bollywood-its-time-for-producers-to-discover-olivewood/|title=After Hollywood And Bollywood It's Time For Producers To Discover Olivewood|first=Antonis|last=Antoniou|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/07/21/move-over-hollywood-tourist-island-cyprus-is-ready-to-roll.html|title=Move over Hollywood, tourist island Cyprus is ready to roll|website=The Jakarta Post}}</ref> a play on "[[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]]" and a reference to both the island's [[olive oil]] production and the [[olive branch]] featured on [[flag of Cyprus|its flag]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/10/11/olive-wood-cyprus-plan-to-develop-film-industry/|title=‘Olive-wood’: Cyprus’ Plan To Develop Film Industry|first=Nick|last= Kampouris |website=Greek Reporter}}</ref> The Hollywood action film ''[[Jiu Jitsu (film)|Jiu Jitsu]]'' (2020) starring [[Nicolas Cage]] was shot in Cyprus, which doubled for [[Myanmar]], but was a critical and commercial failure; it also became embroiled in a controversy when the filmmakers promised to sue President [[Nicos Anastasiades]]' [[second Anastasiades government|second government]] for [[breach of contract]] due to the non-payment of the €8 million rebate outlined in their contract, resulting in the potential production of at least three more Hollywood films being moved elsewhere, which was estimated to have lost millions in expected revenue for the economy of Cyprus and took away many potential jobs for local film crew.<ref name="JJfuture">{{cite web | url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/04/15/jiu-jitsu-producers-pulling-out-of-cyprus-second-movie-had-been-set-to-go/ | title=Jiu Jitsu producers pulling out of Cyprus, second movie had been set to go &#124; Cyprus Mail | date=15 April 2021 }}</ref>

Despite the setback caused by ''Jiu-Jitsu'', Hollywood producers returned to the island when [[Nikos Christodoulides]] won the [[2023 Cypriot presidential election]] and instructed [[Christodoulides government|his government]] to restart discussions with Hollywood while giving an unprecedented level of support to the island's arts sector through its new Invest Cyprus scheme.<ref name="filminvest" /> American studio Jupiter Peak Productions came on board for ''[[Find Me Falling]]'' (2024), a romantic comedy starring [[Harry Connick Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web|author=FNE Staff|title=PRODUCTION: Harry Connick Jr. and Mira Sorvino Shoot US/Cypriot RomCom The Islander|date=May 4, 2022|website=Filmneweurope.com|url=https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/cyprus-news/item/123267-production-harry-connick-jr-and-mira-sorvino-shoot-us-cypriot-romcom-the-islander|accessdate=April 28, 2023}}</ref> Written, directed, and {{nowrap|co-produced}} by [[Stelana Kliris]], it became the first Hollywood film to be both set and filmed in Cyprus; it was released on [[Netflix]], becoming the first film directed by a Cypriot to receive a worldwide Netflix premiere.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|title=Harry Connick Jr., Mira Sorvino & Newcomer Ali Fumiko Whitney Board Rom-Com 'The Islander'|date=April 28, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/harry-connick-jr-mira-sorvino-to-star-in-rom-com-the-islander-1235012161/|accessdate=May 4, 2022}}</ref> It received mixed reviews. The drama film ''[[All That's Left of You]]'' (2025), an {{nowrap|Arabic-language}} [[international co-production|{{nowrap|co-production}}]] between Germany and Cyprus, was set to film in Palestine until the [[Gaza war]] forced production to move to Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/how-cherien-dabis-moved-all-thats-left-of-you-from-palestine-to-cyprus-and-greece-to-avoid-the-war/5199607.article|title=How Cherien Dabis moved 'All That's Left of You' from Palestine to Cyprus and Greece to avoid the war|website=[[Screen International]]|first=E|last=Nina Roth|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[2025 Sundance Film Festival]], becoming the first Cypriot production to do so.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/67532569707ccddea40890ac | title=Program Guide &#124; 2025 Sundance Film Festival }}</ref>

Film and television production companies in Cyprus include AMP {{nowrap|Filmworks,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AMP Filmworks |url=https://www.filmworks.com.cy/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=AMP Filmworks |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Bark Like a Cat {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bark Like a Cat Films |url=https://www.barklikeacat.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Bark Like a Cat Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Blunatic {{nowrap|Pictures,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blunatic Pictures |url=https://blunaticpictures.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Blunatic Pictures |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Caretta {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caretta Films |url=https://www.carettafilms.com.cy/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Caretta Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} The Coffee {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Coffee Films |url=https://www.thecoffeefilms.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The Coffee Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Cube {{nowrap|Productions,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cube Productions |url=https://cube-productions.net/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cube Productions |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Cult {{nowrap|Experiences,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cult Experiences |url=https://www.cultexperiences.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cult Experiences |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|Filmblades,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmblades |url=https://www.filmblades.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Filmblades |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Leka {{nowrap|Productions,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leka Productions |url=https://lekaproductions.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Leka Productions |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Meraki {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meraki Films |url=https://www.meraki-films.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Meraki Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Pygmalion Film {{nowrap|Productions,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pygmalion Film Productions |url=https://pygmalionfilmproductions.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Pygmalion Film Productions |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Ray {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Films |url=https://raytalentagency.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Ray Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|ResetFilms,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ResetFilms |url=https://www.instagram.com/resetfilms/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=ResetFilms on Instagram |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Rin Sky {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rin Sky Films |url=https://rinskyfilms.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Rin Sky Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Seahorse {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seahorse Films |url=https://www.seahorsefilms.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Seahorse Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} Volume {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volume Films |url=https://www.volumefilms.com.cy/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Volume Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} and Wishing Tree {{nowrap|Films,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wishing Tree Films |url=https://www.wishingtreefilms.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Wishing Tree Films |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} as well as the Cypriot branch of Greek production company Green Olive {{nowrap|Films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Olive Films |url=https://greenolivefilms.com |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Green Olive Films |language=en-gb}}</ref>}} Annual festivals include the [[Cyprus International Film Festival|Cyprus International Film {{nowrap|Festival]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CYIFF – Cyprus International Film Festival |url=https://cyprusfilmfestival.org/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} and the [[International Short Film Festival of Cyprus|International Short Film Festival of {{nowrap|Cyprus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Short Film Festival of Cyprus |url=https://www.isffc.com.cy/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref>}}

==Notable people==
* [[Michael Cacoyannis]] (1922–2011), Greek-Cypriot filmmaker
* [[Elias Demetriou]], Greek-Cypriot filmmaker
* [[Yannis Economides]] (born 1967), Greek-Cypriot filmmaker
* [[Nicolas Economou]] (1953–1993), Greek-Cypriot composer
* [[Stelana Kliris]], South African-born Greek-Cypriot filmmaker
* [[Peter Polycarpou]] (born 1957), English-Cypriot actor
* [[Derviş Zaim]] (born 1964), Turkish-Cypriot filmmaker

==See also==
* [[Cinema of Greece]]
* [[Cinema of Turkey]]
* [[Culture of Cyprus]]
* [[Culture of Greece]]
* [[Culture of Turkey]]
* [[List of cinema of the world]]
* [[List of Cypriot films]]
* [[List of Greek actors]]
* [[List of Turkish actors]]
* [[World cinema]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Worldcinema}}
{{Europe in topic|Cinema of}}
{{Asia in topic|Cinema of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cinema Of Cyprus}}
[[Category:Cinema of Cyprus]]