SATURDAY 10/10 | 20:00
Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection)
20’, 2026
Cyprus, Greece, France
Fiction
Synopsis
Eliza can't smile – but her job as a hotel worker constantly demands she put on a happy face. Can she navigate our absurd world of toxic positivity while remaining true to herself?
Credits
Directed by: Alexandra Matheou | Screenplay: Alexandra Matheou | Cinematography: Luciana Riso | Editing: Nikos Vavouris GFE | Production Design: Andreas Antoniou | Costume Design: Caterina Ttakka | Music: Marilena Orfanou | Sound Design: Alexandre Hecker | Cast: Grigoria Metheniti, Polyxeni Savva, Zoe Kyprianou, Loukia Pieridou | Producer: Savvas Stavrou | Production Company: This Is The Girl Films | Co-producers: Deputy Ministry of Culture, Onassis Culture, Maria Drandaki, Kyveli Short, Soyo Giaui, Marrion Barré, Emma Doxiadi, La Cellule Productions, Homemade Films, Everybodies
Director's Bio
Alexandra Matheou is a screenwriter and director whose work explores female subjectivity, class, and belonging, blurring the boundaries between the ordinary and the absurd. Her short films have screened at major film festivals around the world. Her latest short, Free Eliza, premiered at Quinzaine des Cinéastes.
Filmography
2026 Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection) 2025 We Were Never Perfect
2021 A Summer Place
HYENA
21’, 2025
USA, China
Fiction
Synopsis
In an isolated castle, students prepare for a life-changing examination. As anticipation builds to a fever pitch, a storm strikes. Trapped within crumbling walls, their academic sanctuary becomes a prison, and minds begin to break.
Credits
Directed by: Altay Ulan Yang | Screenplay: Altay Ulan Yang | Cinematography: Hu Yinghai, Fang Jiacheng | Editing: Zhang Zhongchen, Altay Ulan Yang | Production Design: Zhou Guanghan | Art Direction: Sun Shangzhe | Costume Design: Gao Yueer | Music: Chen Ruotong | Sound Design: Dong Borui, Zhen Cheng | Cast: Huo Zhengjie, Hou Tianyu, Altay Ulan Yang, Chen Yanchen, Panlin Jingyi, Huo Boyuan, Dang Tongfang, Chen Xin, Jiang Rihua , Zhou Siyu, Wang Zhihua, Qu Yizhen | Producers: Altay Ulan Yang, Edyta Yutong Deng | Production Company: X99 Films
Director's Bio
Altay Ulan Yang is a Mongolian-Chinese writer and director from the Chahar Mongolian tribe of Inner Mongolia, China. His debut short film, Monsters Never Know (2020), won Best International Short Film at the Fribourg IFF and was nominated at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. HYENA is his second film, entirely self-financed and based on personal experience.
Filmography
2025 HYENA
2020 Monsters Never Know
Selected Awards:
-
Pardino d’Oro for the Best International Short Film, Locarno FF, Switzerland, 2025.
-
Jury Award, NOWNESS Short Film Awards, China, 2025.
-
Jury Prize, Festival de Cine Fantastico de Bilbao, Spain, 2026.
-
Best Short Fiction Film Award, Golden Grape ISFF, Georgia, 2026.
Cosmonauts
14’, 2026
Slovenia, Italy
Animation
Synopsis
On an intergalactic cruise for singles, lonely souls chase a kiss, a caress, or just a glimpse of love among the stars.
Credits
Directed by: Leo Černic | Screenplay: Leo Černic | Animation: Leo Černic | Editing: Iva Kraljević | Art Direction: Leo Černic | Music: Amos Cappuccio, Andrea Marazzi | Foley Art: Jaka Skočir | Colour Script & Backgrounds: Sara Moschini | Additional Animation: Nika Karner | Cast: Tomaž Mihelič Marlenna | Voice: Leo Černic | Producers: Tina Smrekar, Jožko Rutar, David Cej | Production Companies: Finta Film, Staragara. IT | Co-producers: RTV Slovenija, Staragara
Director's Bio
Leo Černic (Čino) is a Slovenian-Italian filmmaker who graduated in Film and Television Directing from AGRFT Ljubljana and in Animation from CSC Turin. He has since worked as an independent author, exploring weird, quirky characters and their vulnerabilities, crafting stories that blend humour, emotions, and absurdity.
Filmography
2026 Cosmonauts
2022 Tsunami
2022 Pentola
2020 The War of the Words or the Respectful Silence?
2018 The Dance of Love
2017 Chichibio and the Crane
2017 Bordered
Night Shift / Gece Vardiyası
17’, 2026
Cyprus
Fiction
Synopsis
A near-future dystopia. During his first shift guarding the coastline, a young cadet has to confront the enemy whilst dealing with his retiring mentor who has a love for cake.
Credits
Directed by: Talat Gokdemir | Screenplay: Talat Gokdemir, Alasdair Bayne | Cinematography: Yorgos Rahmatoulin GSC | Editing: Alasdair Bayne | Art Direction: Stavros Christofi ‘Yeti’ | Costume Design: Petros Kourtellaris | Music: Evagoras Bekiaris | Sound Design: Christos Kyriacoullis | Cast: Yigit Ege Yazar, Haydar Koyel, İzel Seylani, Maria Masonou | Producer: Ioanna Sinclair, Talat Gokdemir, Alasdair Bayne | Production Companies: Kickstart Productions, Film Etc | Co-producer: Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture
Director's Bio
Talat Gokdemir is a Cypriot filmmaker. His short Night Shift was created with Scottish filmmaker Alasdair Bayne and developed through Midpoint Shorts. His new project Relics won the Filmer Forge Pitch at the In The Palace Int. Short Film Festival.
Filmography
2026 Night Shift / Gece Vardiyası
2020 Hostess / Konsomatris
2016 Weekend / Haftasonu
2012 Leave
Kentucky Gaza
21’, 2025
Jordan
Fiction
Synopsis
In besieged Gaza, where the existence of Kentucky survives only as legend, Anwar transforms the masses’ craving into a successful smuggling venture, while single‑handedly deepening the emotional wound between himself and his father.
Credits
Directed by: Omar Rammal | Screenplay: Omar Rammal | Cinematography: Ahmad Jalboush | Editing: Abdallah Sada | Cast: Yazan Nobani, Ahmad Fayad, Hamzeh Mahadin, Abdallah Khalil, Hazem Elian, Yazan Eid | Producers: Raya Aburub, Aseel Abu Ayyash, Yousef Abed Alnabi
Director's Bio
Omar Rammal is a Palestinian director and cinematographer, recognised on social media for his distinctive visual style and heartfelt human stories. His passion for music has shaped many successful music videos, and he has directed numerous short films that garnered wide attention online. Kentucky Gaza marks his first narrative short film.
Filmography
2025 Kentucky Gaza
2025 Everyday in Gaza
2020 Hajez