**Cypriot Film ‘Hold Onto Me’ Wins Top Award in Los Angeles, Heads to Shanghai**
Cypriot director Myrsini Aristidou's feature film, *Hold Onto Me*, has garnered significant acclaim by winning the prestigious Orpheus Award for Best Feature Fiction at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. The award was announced following the film's screening at the festival's closing ceremony held at the Egyptian Theatre on May 31. Public relations and media strategy manager Phoebe Miltiadous confirmed the news on Thursday.
The jury recognized *Hold Onto Me* as a “tender, deeply human film,” highlighting its exploration of themes such as longing, connection, and the universal need to be seen and loved. This accolade adds to the film's impressive trajectory, which began with its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
Since its debut, *Hold Onto Me* has been featured in several prominent international film festivals, including the Sydney Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and Istanbul Film Festival. Its international journey is set to continue with an upcoming screening at the Belt and Road Film Week of the Shanghai International Film Festival, one of Asia's leading film events. The festival, now in its 28th edition, is recognized as China’s only FIAPF-accredited A-list competitive film festival and will take place from June 12 to 21.
The narrative of *Hold Onto Me* centers around 11-year-old Iris, who grapples with her identity after discovering that her estranged father has returned to their town. What begins as a quest to connect with him evolves into a poignant story about family, belonging, and reconciliation.
In addition to its accolades in Los Angeles, the film has been showcased at various festivals, including the Cyprus Film Days, Sofia International Film Festival, and Guadalajara International Film Festival. It is also scheduled to screen at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic next month.
Produced by Filmblades and One Six One Films in collaboration with partners from Greece and Denmark, *Hold Onto Me* was shot entirely in Cyprus. The film features performances by Christos Passalis and Maria Petrova and has received support from numerous cultural and film institutions both locally and internationally.
As the film continues to gain recognition, it is increasingly viewed as one of the most successful Cypriot productions in recent years, contributing to the visibility of local cinema on the global stage.