Sundance Winner Myrsini Aristidou Signs With UTA

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Cypriot filmmaker Myrsini Aristidou has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) after her debut feature film "Hold Onto Me" won the Audience Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The Cyprus–Greece–Denmark co-production, made in participation with the U.S., follows a young girl who wants to connect with her long-absent father.

Why it matters

Aristidou's Sundance win and UTA signing represent a significant career milestone for the up-and-coming filmmaker, highlighting her talent and the growing international recognition of Cypriot cinema. Her previous short films have also received acclaim at major festivals, further establishing her as a rising voice in independent filmmaking.

The details

Born and raised in Limassol, Cyprus, Aristidou earned her MFA in Film Directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and a BFA in Film and Art History from Pratt Institute. Her short films "Semele" (2015) and "Aria" (2017) have also received critical acclaim, with "Semele" winning the Special Jury Prize in the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2016.

• Aristidou's debut feature "Hold Onto Me" premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.
• Her short film "Semele" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015 and won the Special Jury Prize in the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2016.
• Her short film "Aria" premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2017 and later screened at the Sundance Film Festival.