Greece has selected Yannis Economides’ Broken Vein (Σπασμένη Φλέβα) as its entry for the 2027 Academy Awards, while Cyprus will submit Myrsini Aristidou’s Hold Onto Me (Κράτα Με), the country’s first official entry in the International Feature Film category.
Neither film is an Oscar nominee at this stage. The Academy’s deadline for International Feature Film submissions is September 30. Films that are submitted and deemed eligible enter preliminary voting, with 15 advancing to the shortlist. Oscar nominations will be announced January 21, with the 99th Academy Awards scheduled for March 14, 2027.
Greece turns to Yannis Economides
Broken Vein follows Thomas Alexopoulos, a businessman facing mounting financial trouble and the possible loss of his family home. His attempt to escape the crisis pushes him toward decisions with consequences for both himself and those around him.
A 13-member committee convened by Greece’s Culture Ministry recommended the film by majority vote, and Deputy Culture Minister Iason Fotilas accepted the recommendation as Greece’s official submission. Economides wrote the screenplay with Vangelis Mourikis. The cast includes Vasilis Bisbikis, Maria Kehagioglou, Betty Arvaniti and Stathis Stamoulakatos.
Born in Limassol, Cyprus, Economides moved to Athens in 1987 to study filmmaking. His earlier features include Matchbox, Soul Kicking, Knifer, Stratos and Ballad for a Pierced Heart.
A first Oscar submission for Cyprus
Cyprus is entering the category for the first time. A seven-member national committee selected Hold Onto Me as the Republic’s official submission.
Aristidou’s debut feature follows 11-year-old Iris, played by Maria Petrova, after she learns that her estranged father, Aris, has returned for his own father’s funeral. She finds him living at a dilapidated shipyard and begins forcing her way into the life of a man who has kept his distance from her.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. It later received the Orpheus Award for Best Feature Fiction at the 2026 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.
Both films already reaching U.S. audiences
Both films have already appeared on Greek film festival screens in the United States. Broken Vein screened at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival in May, while Hold Onto Me closed the festival. LAGFF later featured the two titles together as Greece and Cyprus announced their Oscar submissions.
East Coast audiences will see both films at the New York Greek Film Expo in October. Hold Onto Me opens the festival October 8, while Broken Vein screens the following evening at Village East Cinema.
Cosmos Philly’s 2026 New York Greek Film Expo guide has the full schedule, venues, visiting filmmakers and ticket information.
The next step comes on December 15, when the Academy announces the 15 films advancing to the International Feature Film shortlist.