Archaeological, ethnographic and historical documentaries coming up

The Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Documentary Film Festival (AEI Cyprus Film Festival) this year celebrates five years with a rich and diverse programme that includes screenings of 60 Cypriot and foreign documentaries, photographic exhibitions, experiential laboratories for children and discussions on subjects related to archaeology and cinema in Cyprus.

Three weekends in November will host the hybrid festival: November 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20.

Throughout its duration, screenings will take place both online (https://watch.eventive.org/aei-cyprusfilmfestival) and in person at the Hall for Ceremonies of the University of Cyprus, on Kallipoleos street. The festival programme is divided into three sections: National, International and Educational and each day will be dedicated to a different section.

On the first weekend of November, the National section will take place with archaeological, ethnographic and historic documentaries created by Cypriot directors. The morning of November 5 will be dedicated to Cypriot archaeology with six short screenings directed by Cypriot director Marcos Kassinos and produced by the Embassy of Italy in Cyprus. These refer to the history of the Italian archaeological expeditions that took place in Cyprus from the last century until today.

After the screenings, there will be a discussion on ‘The contribution of the foreign archaeological expeditions in Cyprus to the development of Cypriot Archaeology’ with representatives of the archaeological community of Cyprus and the participation of the audience. The discussion will also be transmitted online through the Facebook page of the festival.

On the same evening, and after 68 years, the Cypriot premiere of Antonis Kostantinides’ (of Asgata) archival footage first shot in 1954, will take place. Despite being a permanent resident of New York, the director left behind a collection of artworks representing the homeland he held dear. Viewers will have the privilege to see for the first time rare archival shots from Cyprus of the 50s that show off the social norms, customs, traditions and daily activities and hobbies of people in both rural areas and urban centres.

On the morning of November, two documentaries created by Turkish Cypriot filmmakers will be screened in their presence followed by a discussion. The first documentary Education in the Two Communities in Cyprus refers to the nationalist propaganda practised through the educational system of the two communities. The second, The Father of Peace refers to the moving history of two Cypriots, one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot soldier during the invasion of 1974. Despite their animosity, they cooperated to save a newborn baby girl born with a rare disease. During the evening of the same day, a third Turkish Cypriot film will be screened on the History of Turkish Cypriot Press.

In the second weekend of November, the International Section of the festival will take place with selected documentaries by foreign filmmakers. The morning of November 12 will be dedicated to Cypriot cinema and culture.

The screening programme on the same day will be dedicated to Greek documentaries with the screening of six films on historic, ethnographic and environmental subjects. The following day will present documentaries from other European and third countries.

Finally, in the third weekend of November, short documentaries that have been produced by kids and youngsters within the framework of the Educational Activity CINeDUCATION and various other educational activities will be screened. A thought-provoking masterclass on how through digital applications students of high school and senior high school have the opportunity to be taught history will take place on November 19 while several experiential laboratories for children will fill the final weekend’s agenda. For the first time this year, a lab about Astronomy from the Cyprus Astronomy Organisation is included in the programme.

Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Documentary Film Festival

5^th edition of annual festival. November 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20. Online via https://watch.eventive.org/aei-cyprusfilmfestival or in-person at Hall for Ceremonies of the University of Cyprus, Nicosia. www.aei-filmfestival.org