The non profit organisation Α.Ε.Ι. AUDIOVISUAL FORUM (www.aei-audiovisualforum.org) organises the 4th edition of the Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Documentary Film Festival (AEI Film Festival) that will take place from the 7th until the 11th of July 2021 at the Cyprus Bank Cultural Foundation building, situated in the heart of the capital city of Cyprus, Lefkosia.

The AEI Film Festival aims to raise awareness about the importance of heritage conservation, promote inter-cultural understanding and encourage sustainable tourism by introducing the public to important examples of archaeological and cultural heritage from Cyprus and around the world through documentary films. The AEI Film Festival focuses on community, inclusivity and (of course) good times.

It aims to travel across borders in order to develop a spirit of friendship and cooperation with filmmakers from Cyprus and from all over the world. Cypriot and foreign filmmakers are invited to engage in discussions with colleagues and conversations with the audience. The Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Documentary Film Festival further aims to encourage filmmakers in documenting world heritage. The program includes screenings of documentary films from Cyprus and abroad as well as photo exhibitions, guided tours to museums and archaeological sites, film workshops, art workshops for children, master classes and lectures on film. archaeology and ethnography.

We are very proud that the Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Film Festival received the EFFE Label 2019-2021 which is Europe’s quality stamp for remarkable arts festivals showing the Festival's engagement in the field of the arts, community involvement and international openness.

We invite you to watch the short video we have produced with highlight scenes taken from the the 3rd edition of the AEI Film Festival that took place in September 2020 and during the COVID pandemic to get an idea how the AEI Film Festival experience looks like. https://vimeo.com/486047439 We promise that the 4th edition of AEI Film Festival will be much more successful and enjoyable than its previous three editions.

We are cordially invite all international filmmakers to attend the 4th edition of the AEI Film Festival that will take place this summer in Cyprus. An ideal opportunity for foreign colleagues to combine summer vacation with culture in the island of Cyprus; the birthplace of Goddess Aphrodite.
But In case that you cannot make it, then you can be able to enjoy the screenings and Q&A sessions through the digital platform: https://aei-filmfestival2021.eventive.org due to the fact that AEI Film Festival will be a hybrid Festival, accessible to audience on a global scale.

We invite filmmakers from every corner of the planet, to submit their documentary films that fall into the categories of Ethnography, Archaeology and History and have a duration from 25 up to 60 min. Our selection committee will select the best 20 films that will be submitted in order to participate at physical and virtual versions of the 4th AEI Festival.

For further information about the 4th edition of the AEI Film Festival, go to our web site www.aei-filmfestival.org, our FB page https://www.facebook.com/Cyprus-Archaeological-Ethnographic-Historical-Film-Festival-107082787325403/ or email us at aei.filmfestival@cytanet.com.cy

Awards & Prizes

The AEI Film Festival is not a competitive Festival, therefor will not be any awards or prizes to be given. However the Festival Organisers will send the AEI 2021 Film Festival laurel logo to all the filmmakers that their films will be selected.

Rules & Terms

Payment Information

- Regular Deadline entry fees for all Film categories are $15 (until April 25, 2021)
- Late entries fees for all Film categories are $20 (until May 16, 2021)

Eligibility
The 4th AEI Film Festival is accepting submissions of documentary films that introduce to the public important examples of archaeological and cultural heritage from Cyprus and around the world; help raise awareness about the importance of heritage conservation; and encourage sustainable tourism. Professional films should be between 25 to 60 minutes in length and have been completed after 31 December 2018.
Submitted films should be in .mov or .mp4 format.
Entries in languages other than Greek or English must include either:
a) subtitles in English or Greek, or
b) a time-coded transcript in English.

- All submitted films must have obtained necessary permissions for the inclusion of copyrighted music and/or images.
- We do NOT accept films that require a screening fee.
- Do not send us links to fully download your film. We do not have the capacity to download thousands of films. Submit your film and we will watch it on the FilmFreeway player, Vimeo, Youtube, etc.
We do not return material you may send us.
Categories
- ARCHAEOLOGY
Submissions in this category should focus on documentaries from 25 up to 60 min. about archaeology with the aim of introducing world heritage to a general audience.
- ETHNOGRAPHY
Submissions in this category should focus on documentary films from 25 up to 60 min. about general cultural subjects with the aim of promoting cultural exchange and inter-cultural understanding.
- HISTORY
Submissions in this category should focus on documentary films up from 25 up to 60 min. about historical subjects.

Selection and Notification
- Selected films should be submitted as HD mov. or MP4 files. There is no need for DVDs (we prefer the paperless, Eco-friendly world)
- Successful entrants will be notified of their inclusion in the festival before the festival begins.
Publicity
- To help promote the festival, we reserve the right for the reproduction of stills from submitted films for festival publications, flyers, and programme, online and print press and the Cyprus Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Film Festival website.
- We also reserve the right to broadcast clips of all films submitted to the festival, on the AEI-Film Festival website, Vimeo channel and in the AEI festival trailer.
All decisions by the organisers regarding the program are final. By submitting your film, you agree to these conditions.
1 Review
Overall Rating
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  • Andrew Scott

    My film was selected for AEI 2019 and although I could not attend in person I do want to comment on the team behind the festival. The communication from the team was exceptionally efficient, warm and friendly. Honoured to be part of it and I look forward to attending next time in person.

    September 2019
    Helpful