Launch of the Selection Process for the Cyprus National Submission to the Academy Awards

Following the recent success of Cypriot cinema and its international recognition at major international film festivals, the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture announces the launch of the process for selecting the Cypriot National Submission for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

NATIONAL SELECTION COMMITTEE

For the selection of Cyprus’s national submission to the Academy Awards for 2027, the Deputy Ministry of Culture has appointed a National Selection Committee consisting of institutional and appointed members directly involved in cinema, with at least half of the members being professionals from the film industry. The composition of the Committee, which has been approved by the Academy, is as follows:

1. Elena Christodoulidou, Senior Cultural Officer – Department of Contemporary Culture
2. Lefteris Eleftheriou, Chairperson of the Cyprus Film Commission
3. Stelana Kliris, President of the Cyprus Directors’ Guild – Director
4. Marios Psaras, Cultural Officer – Department of Contemporary Culture
5. Haris Zambarloukos, Director of Photography
6. Kyros Papavassiliou, Director – Producer
7. Yianna Amerikanou, Director

ELIGIBILITY

As per Academy regulations, submissions must cumulatively satisfy the following criteria:

1. The film must be a feature-length motion picture (running time exceeding 40 minutes).
2. It must be a Cypriot production or, in the case of an international co-production, Cyprus must be the country holding the largest production share (majority-producing country).
3. The film’s dialogue must be predominantly (more than 50%) in one or more languages other than English. The submitted film must include English subtitles.
4. The film must be first released theatrically in Cyprus for paid admission in the period between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, and exhibited for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theatre for the profit of the producer and exhibitor. The seven consecutive days of the theatrical release are required to occur in one venue.

SUBMISSION

Applications must be submitted to the Cinema Office of the Department of Contemporary Culture, which is responsible for coordinating all procedures related to the national submission. Submission is free of charge.

Films must be submitted by the main producer by email (cinema@culture.gov.cy) with the subject line “Cyprus – Oscar Submission”. The deadline for submission is July 10 2026.

Required Submission Materials:

1. A secure, password-protected screening link to the film. Do not include trailers or other extraneous material. Include burnt-in subtitles (accurate, legible English-language subtitles).
2. A copy of the complete cast and crew credits (the film’s full opening and closing credits as listed on screen; in English).
3. Director’s biography (in English).
4. Published advertisements confirming the film’s seven-day theatrical run, or a contract with a cinema operator if the screening is scheduled to take place after the submission deadline (but no later than 30 September 2026).
5. Director’s photograph ([1080px W X 1920px H (vertical) or 1920px W X 1080px H (horizontal)].

SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE

1. The National Selection Committee reviews and evaluates all eligible applications in a joint session based on the following criteria:
   1. 1. The originality of the concept and development of the film, its aesthetic quality, the dramatic and narrative strength of the screenplay, the completeness of its characters, and the overall artistic and technical excellence of the production.
      2. Participation in film festivals and/or awards received by the submitted film.
      3. The commercial success of the submitted film and its broader reception by audiences.
      4. Critical reception of the submitted film.
      5. The previous work of the director, producer, and/or screenwriter.
2. Following the completion of the joint review session, the members of the National Selection Committee vote by secret ballot.
3. Once the national submission has been selected by the National Selection Committee, the Cinema Office submits the film to the Academy.
4. A special Academy committee reviews the complete application dossier, approves Cyprus’s national submission, and forwards it to the Academy for voting.
5. Following Academy approval, the Department of Contemporary Culture announces the national submission to the media and the public.