Cyprus has officially entered the race for the Academy Awards for the first time in its history, selecting the feature film Hold Onto Me as its representative for the Best International Feature Film category.
The film, which serves as a deeply personal exploration of a family dynamic, focuses on a poignant father-daughter relationship.
The production has garnered significant attention for its casting choices, as it “Stars a Newcomer and a ‘Dogtooth’ Actor in a Very Personal Father-Daughter Drama” to anchor its narrative.
By choosing this particular project, the Cypriot film committee aims to highlight the growing sophistication and emotional depth of the island’s domestic cinema scene on the global stage.
The narrative structure of the movie relies heavily on the chemistry between the leads, balancing the raw, unpolished performance of the newcomer with the seasoned expertise of an actor recognized for their work in Yorgos Lanthimos’ acclaimed film Dogtooth.
This selection marks a historic milestone for Cyprus, which has previously not submitted a candidate for the international feature category.
Industry experts observe that the film’s intimate scale and thematic focus on familial bonds align with recent trends in international cinema that favor character-driven storytelling over large-scale spectacle.
As the Academy Awards season approaches, the inclusion of Cyprus brings a new voice to the competitive field, providing international audiences with a rare glimpse into the specific cultural and emotional landscapes of the region.
The production team has expressed pride in representing the nation, noting that the film serves as a testament to the dedication of local filmmakers who continue to push boundaries despite limited resources.
The film will now undergo the rigorous vetting process required by the Academy, with the hope that its unique perspective will resonate with voters during the nomination phase.
Whether or not it secures a final nomination, the submission itself is being celebrated within Cyprus as a landmark achievement for the local film industry and a signal of its readiness to engage with the global cinematic community.