A major achievement for Cyprus’ growing film industry: Motherwitch, the upcoming feature by acclaimed Cypriot director Minos Papas, has been selected for the prestigious Frontières Platform at the Marché du Film in Cannes. Filmed entirely in Cyprus, this Gothic folk-horror tale is one of only six international works-in-progress chosen for the Buyers Showcase at the 2025 edition of the event.
A Gothic Fairytale Rooted In Cypriot Folklore
Motherwitch is set in the haunting ruins of Parsada, a deserted 15th-century village in the Cypriot mountains. The story unfolds in 1888, following Eleni, a painter stricken by the grief of losing her three children. In a desperate attempt to bring them back to life, she unwittingly releases a horde of Kalikantzari – mischievous and terrifying creatures from Cypriot Christmas folklore. As her village falls into chaos, Eleni must embrace a new form of motherhood by protecting a talented but abused boy, Michalakis, to restore balance to the world.
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Shot in spring 2024, the film features an impressive cast including Margarita Zachariou, Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones, The Crown), Jason Hughes (Midsomer Murders), and newcomer Sifis Katsoulakis, whose performance as Michalakis is already being hailed as a breakout role. The project was supported by the Cyprus Audiovisual Incentive Scheme, marking another significant investment in Cyprus’ creative industries.
A Heartfelt Tribute To Cyprus
Director Minos Papas sees the film as a heartfelt tribute to Cyprus — its folklore, language, and history. It’s a story of grief, parenthood, and creativity, told through the lens of magical realism and inspired by age-old traditions rarely explored on screen.
The legend at the heart of Motherwitch imagines that during the Twelve Days of Christmas, the souls of deceased children return to haunt their parents — a chilling metaphor for unresolved grief. In Papas’ hands, this myth transforms into a dark fairytale, blending horror with emotional depth.
Who Is Minos Papas?
Minos Papas is an award-winning independent filmmaker from Cyprus, currently based in New York City. His work has been screened and recognized at film festivals around the world. Papas is the founder of Cyprian Films, New York, and a member of the Directors Guild of Cyprus.
He made his directorial debut at the age of 16 and went on to earn a BFA in Film from the School of Visual Arts, where he received the school’s top honor for cinematography. His first feature, Shutterbug (2009), was released theatrically in New York, Los Angeles, and Nicosia, earning praise for its atmospheric visual style. His later works include the psychological thriller Behind the Mirror (2015), which won Best Thriller at the Manhattan and Mexico International Film Festivals, and the acclaimed short Tango on the Balcony (2016), which addresses PTSD in war veterans.
Papas has collaborated with industry icons such as Martin Scorsese, Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, and Andrea Bocelli. He continues to explore bold themes through a distinct cinematic voice rooted in both European and American traditions.
What Is The Frontières Platform?
Organized by the Fantasia International Film Festival in partnership with the Marché du Film in Cannes, the Frontières Platform is the world’s leading co-production and networking forum for genre cinema, with a focus on fostering collaboration between Europe and North America.
The platform is split into two key showcases:
- Proof of Concept (17 May): spotlighting genre films at advanced financing stages.
- Buyers Showcase (18 May): featuring works-in-progress and recently completed films looking for distribution, festival selection, or sales agents.
Motherwitch is part of the Buyers Showcase, placing it among the most promising genre titles on the verge of international release.
Cyprus On The Global Stage
The selection of Motherwitch for Frontières in Cannes not only highlights the creative potential of Cypriot filmmakers but also reinforces Cyprus’ position as a desirable filming destination. With increased support from national schemes and a growing pool of talent, Cyprus is stepping confidently onto the international stage — one story, one myth, one vision at a time.
