[English text follows}
Nicosia hosts the 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium on children's cinema and film education
«Moving Images, Moving Minds: Children’s Cinema at the Crossroads of Innovation, Resilience and the Future»
16-17 November 2026
The 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium will take place in Nicosia on 16 and 17 November 2026, bringing to Cyprus professionals, researchers and representatives of institutions from Greece and abroad. Its theme is the present and, above all, the future of children's cinema and film education, amid the challenges of new technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Symposium is organised by the International Children's and Youth Film Centre (CIFEJ) and the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus - Contemporary Culture Department and the Hellenic Film, Audiovisual Media and Creation Centre (EKKOMED). The Symposium is held under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO. The scientific partner is the University of Cyprus.
The event is of particular importance for Cyprus. The country's relationship with CIFEJ began about a decade ago, when the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, at the encouragement of the Deputy Ministry, decided to focus on film education for children and young people. CIFEJ was the first international organisation it approached. Since 2025 the organisation's seat has been in Athens, and the Nicosia Symposium continues the first Symposium, which took place there in May 2025.
As a prelude to the Symposium, four special film screenings were held in October - November at the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton in Nicosia. The films were curated by CIFEJ member organisations, from India (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth),, Greece (EKKOMED), Tunisia (Lumières films, Tunisia). and China (China Children's Film Association).
The Symposium will take place in Nicosia on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November 2026, at the following venues:
Monday, 16 November 2026: University of Cyprus Library.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026: Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton (Anchiálou 1, 1080 Nicosia).
Symposium Programme
Monday, 16 November 2026 | University of Cyprus Library
09:30: Participant registration.
10:30: Official opening ceremony and greetings from the organisers and supporters of the Symposium.
11:30: Coffee break.
12:00: First Keynote Speech by Mr Vassilis Karamitsanis, Secretary General of CIFEJ, on: «Cinema for Children and Young People in the Mediterranean: Building Bridges of Culture and Cooperation».
13:00: Lunch break.
14:00: Second Keynote Speech by Dr Longinos Panagi, director and researcher, on: «The Articulation of Transgenerational Post-Traumatic Experiences in Children’s Cinema».
15:00-16:00: Coffee and Networking.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton
On arrival: Welcome and coffee.
11:00: First Roundtable discussion (Roundtable 1), moderated by Irene Andriopoulou, former Director of CIFEJ and Director of Film Sector Development, on the theme: "The Future of Children's Cinema: Creativity, Innovation & New Technologies".
12:30: Lunch.
14:00: Second Roundtable discussion (Roundtable 2), moderated by Katerina Virvidaki, Coordinator of the CIFEJ Chair in Athens, on the theme: "Children's Cinema in the Mediterranean and Beyond: Cultural Exchange, Sustainable Production & Audience Development".
15:30: Coffee and Networking.
About CIFEJ:
The International Children's and Young People's Film Center (CIFEJ) was founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO and is an international network of audiovisual professionals for children and young people. It maintains operational relations with UNESCO and consultative status with UNICEF. Since 2025 it has had its seat in Athens, hosted by EKKOMED.
About the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton:
The Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton is a private cultural organization in the heart of Nicosia, active for more than two decades in education, preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. It has substantial activity in film education and has built a network of partners in Cyprus and abroad. Its engagement with traditional music and dance is also an important pillar of its activities.
Admission is free for the public. The language of the event is English.
Certificates of participation will be issued.
For more information: Tel. 99435754 (Doros Demetriou)
Supported by:
Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus - Department of Contemporary Culture
Greek Film Center, Audiovisual Media and Creation (EKKOMED)
University of Cyprus
Under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO
Nicosia hosts the 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium on children's cinema and film education:
"Moving Images, Moving Minds: Children's Cinema at the Crossroads of Innovation, Resilience and the Future"
16-17 November 2026
The 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium will take place in Nicosia on 16 and 17 November 2026, bringing to Cyprus professionals, researchers and representatives of institutions from Greece and abroad. Its subject is the present and, above all, the future of children's cinema and film education, in the face of the challenges of new technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Symposium is organised by the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) and the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus (Department of Contemporary Culture) and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED). The event is held under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO. Scientific partner is the University of Cyprus.
The event has particular significance for Cyprus. The country's relationship with CIFEJ began about a decade ago, when the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton, encouraged by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, decided to place emphasis on film education for children and young people. CIFEJ was the first international organisation it approached. Since 2025, the organisation's headquarters have been in Athens, and the Nicosia Symposium follows the first one, held there in May 2025.
As a prelude to the Symposium, four special film screenings were held in October - November at the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton in Nicosia. The films were curated by organisations affiliated with CIFEJ, representing India (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth), Greece (EKKOMED), Tunisia (Lumières films, Tunisia) and China (China Children's Film Association).
Symposium Programme:
Monday, 16 November 2026 | University of Cyprus Library
09:30: Participant registration.
10:30: Official opening ceremony and welcome addresses by the Symposium organisers and supporters.
11:30: Coffee break.
12:00: First Keynote Speech by Mr Vassilis Karamitsanis, Secretary General of CIFEJ, entitled: "Cinema for Children and Young People in the Mediterranean: Building Bridges of Culture and Cooperation".
13:00: Lunch break.
14:00: Second Keynote Speech by Dr Longinos Panagi, filmmaker and researcher, entitled: "The Articulation of Transgenerational Post-Traumatic Experiences in Children's Cinema".
15:00-16:00: Coffee and networking.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton
Upon arrival: Welcome coffee.
11:00: Roundtable 1, moderated by Irene Andriopoulou, former CIFEJ Director and Director of Film Sector Development, entitled: "The Future of Children's Cinema: Creativity, Innovation & New Technologies".
12:30: Lunch.
14:00: Roundtable 2, moderated by Katerina Virvidaki, Coordinator of the CIFEJ Athens Office, entitled: "Children's Cinema in the Mediterranean and Beyond: Cultural Exchange, Sustainable Production & Audience Development".
15:30: Coffee and networking.
The aim of the Symposium is to open a dialogue on the role of cinema in the lives of children and young people, with particular emphasis on the Mediterranean. It also seeks to bring local organisations, institutions and professionals into contact with their international counterparts, so that new collaborations can be created and Cyprus's presence in this international dialogue can be strengthened.
About CIFEJ:
The International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) was founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO and is an international network of professionals working in audiovisual media for children and young people. It maintains operational relations with UNESCO and consultative status with UNICEF. Since 2025 its headquarters have been transferred to Athens, hosted by EKKOMED.
About the Cultural Workshop Ayion Omoloyiton:
The Cultural Workshop of Ayioi Omologites is a private cultural organisation in the heart of Nicosia. For more than two decades it has worked in education and in safeguarding and passing on intangible cultural heritage. It is very active in film education and has built a network of partners in Cyprus and abroad. Its work with traditional music and dance is also one of the main pillars of its activities.
Admission is free to the public. The language of the event is English.
Certificates will be given to the participants.
For more information: Tel. 99435754 (Doros Demetriou)
SUPPORTED BY:
Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus - Department of Contemporary Culture
Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED)
Scientific Partner: University of Cyprus
Under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO
Irene AndriopoulouIrene Andriopoulou appears in 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium (Cultural Workshop of Agioi Omologites, November 2026).
Katerina VirvidakiKaterina Virvidaki appears in 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium (Cultural Workshop of Agioi Omologites, November 2026).
Longinos PanagiLonginos Panagi appears in 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium (Cultural Workshop of Agioi Omologites, November 2026).
Vassilis KaramitsanisVassilis Karamitsanis appears in 2nd International CIFEJ Symposium (Cultural Workshop of Agioi Omologites, November 2026).
