The first Cypriot horror film, MOTHERWITCH (DODEKAMERON), has topped the box office over Halloween weekend, outperforming Hollywood production CLAYFACE and prompting an extension of its cinema run for another week.
Directed by Minos Papas, the film attracted hundreds of viewers from across Cyprus to PREMIER Cinemas at Nicosia Mall and RIO Cinemas in Limassol.
Following the strong audience response and increased demand, screenings will continue from 5 to 11 November 2026.
MOTHERWITCH screenings extended until 11 November
The film will remain on the programme at PREMIER Cinemas in Nicosia Mall and RIO Cinemas in Limassol for an additional week.
Audiences have praised the production quality, its cinematic portrayal of Cyprus and the performances of the cast.
Particular attention has been drawn to the use of an older form of the Cypriot dialect, which many viewers have heard for the first time on the big screen.
Through its language, landscapes, traditions and local myths, MOTHERWITCH offers a glimpse into Cyprus’ past and brings a lesser-known aspect of the island’s cultural identity to contemporary cinema.
Margarita Zachariou wins Best Actress award
The film’s local success has been accompanied by international recognition.
Margarita Zachariou received the Best Actress award at Manchester’s Grimmfest Film Festival, one of the UK’s major horror film festivals, for her leading role as Eleni.
The festival’s jury praised her performance, describing it as:
“An utterly raw, operatic performance of profound maternal grief, balancing compassion and horror with extraordinary skill, while keeping the character deeply human.”
Film heads to Thessaloniki International Film Festival
MOTHERWITCH’s international journey continues on Friday, 6 November, with a screening at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival as part of its Balkan Horrors programme.
The screening will be attended by lead actors Margarita Zachariou, Danai Katsameni and Athos Antoniou, as well as producer Konstantinos Nikiphorou.
The film was also screened over Halloween in eight cities across Poland through the Multikino cinema chain.
Official premiere held at Nicosia Mall
The official avant-premiere took place on Wednesday, 28 October, at PREMIER Cinemas in Nicosia Mall, with the film’s producers, actors and crew in attendance.
The event also welcomed guests from the film, television, cultural and media industries, alongside content creators and influencers. Attendees had the opportunity to meet the filmmakers and watch the production ahead of its official release in Cyprus.
A gothic horror story rooted in Cypriot folklore
Filmed entirely in Cyprus, MOTHERWITCH is a Cypriot gothic feature deeply rooted in the island’s history, language and local mythology.
Set in the late 19th century, it follows Eleni, a painter who attempts to bring her dead children back to life. Instead, she awakens the Kallikantzaroi of Cypriot folklore, plunging her village into terror.
The film is directed by Minos Papas and produced by Caretta Films, in co-production with Cyprian Films of New York and Focus Pocus, and with the participation of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus.
The production also received financial support from the Film Agency of North Macedonia and benefited from the Cypriot government’s Film in Cyprus incentives.
The cast includes Margarita Zachariou, Miltos Yerolemou, Jason Hughes, Marina Makris, Athos Antoniou, Danai Katsameni, Demetri Andrea, Christina Marouchou and Sifis Katsoulakis.
Screening information
- Dates: 5–11 November 2026
- Venues: PREMIER Cinemas, Nicosia Mall, and RIO Cinemas, Limassol
- Screening times: 7.30pm and 10pm
- Director: Minos Papas
- Production: Caretta Films
Also read: 10 classic Halloween movies to add to your watchlist
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