Cyprus has achieved great success in the international animation scene, as Cypriot director and graphic designer Evridiki Papaiakovou won this year’s Young European Talents Award for her short film “Poppy Flowers” (2024). The award ceremony took place at the Imaginaria International Animation Festival in Italy on 23 August 2025.
Animafest Cyprus said in a press release that the film, which sensitively touches on the theme of reconciliation between a mother and her daughter, was awarded by an international jury consisting of renowned personalities in the field, such as Deanna Morse (USA), Joanna Quinn (UK), and Tamás Patrovits (Hungary).
The press release noted that FAN – Festivals Animation Network, the network co-financed by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, unites five major animation festivals in Europe: Animafest Cyprus (Cyprus), Animasyros (Greece), CINANIMA (Portugal), Prime the Animation! (Spain), and Imaginaria (Italy). As part of this collaboration, Giorgos Tsangaris, director of the Cypriot festival Animafest Cyprus, was invited to participate as a member of the jury at the Imaginaria festival and to preface the award to Evridiki Papaiakovou.
Evridiki Papaiakovou, commenting on her award, said that “it is a real honour” to receive this award and to see that so many people had the opportunity to watch her film. She also expressed her belief that “young people have a lot to say and that animation is a wonderful way to express it”.
“This success comes to confirm once again the contribution of Animafest Cyprus to the development of the animation sector in our country, which is constantly gaining ground and recognition at important international festivals. Cyprus now has a presence on the global animation map and this undoubtedly constitutes an important step for its continued development internationally,” the press release concluded.
Also read: Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell on their on screen chemistry
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel.
Source: CNA
