FIND ME FALLING (THE ISLANDER) sells world rights to Netflix! /  by Stelana Kliris

We have a new title and a new home!!

In a first for Cyprus, our feature film THE ISLANDER, now titled FIND ME FALLING has sold world rights to Netflix! We are so happy and proud of our whole cast and crew (and the families that support us!) who put their hearts into this production.

We wouldn't be here without the support of the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, The Cyprus Film Commission and of course Jupiter Peak Productions and The Exchange. Thank you also to Green Olive Films and our incredible producers Keith Arnold and Steve Shapiro.

And a big shout-out to our luminous local cast, especially Tony Demetriou, Lea Maleni, Aggeliki Filippidou, Athina Roditou, Yiola Kleitou and Effie Charalambous and to our incredible leading ladies, break-out star Ali Fumiko Whitney and the sublimely talented Agni Scott. And finally, the artist who triggered it all, who took a chance on a filmmaker from the other side of the world and brought his magic to the set and screen every single day, Harry Connick Jr, we are humbled and overjoyed.

We can't wait to share this with you! Releasing globally on 19 July, save the date!

See the full article on Netflix’s site here.

UNEXPECTED selected by EWA Network for Netflix-backed Series Accelerator Programme /  by Stelana Kliris

Stelana Kliris was one of eight producers selected by the European Women’s Audiovisual (EWA) Network for their inaugural Netflix-backed Series Accelerator Programme with her series UNEXPECTED.

This is an inspired and empowering initiative that involves three workshops with industry leaders sharing their expertise and helping to package and progress each producer’s series.

See the full article here.

UNEXPECTED wins Best Pilot Script! /  by Stelana Kliris

The comedy series UNEXPECTED (previously titled LIFE UNEXPECTED) won best pilot script at the 2023 Owl Screenwriting Workshop in a ceremony held in Cannes in May 2023. Presented by the City of Athens and the Athens Film Office, the workshop started in October of the previous year with ten selected projects which were guided by exceptional mentors including USC professors Tom Abrams and David Isaacs (Cheers, Frasier, Mad Men).

This project previously participated in the 2019 Midpoint TV Launch Programme and has been a very personal journey for writer Stelana Kliris. So this was an unexpected but very much appreciated award!

Stelana Kliris selected as one of the EFP's 2023 Producers on the Move! /  by Stelana Kliris

Each year, 20 promising, up-and-coming producers from throughout Europe are selected to participate in PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE - 481 over the last 23 years. The initiative is aimed at connecting young, enterprising European producers with potential co-production partners, strengthening their industry networks and, at the same time, providing a solid and visible platform for this next generation of European filmmakers. Candidates are nominated by their home country’s official film body and then final selections are made by the European Film Promotion Agency. The programme takes place onsite during the Cannes Film Festival.

Meraki Films’ producer Stelana Kliris was nominated by the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture and selected by the EFP along with an exceptional group of producers from all over Europe. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity and honoured to be representing Cyprus. She will be attending with her current slate of projects, including her own films as director “The Islander” (in post-production) and “Apart from Her” (in development), as well as “My Name is Lily” (in early development) by Yianna Americanou.

https://www.efp-online.com/en/project_networking/producers_on_the_move.php

Meraki Films travels with Midpoint to Trieste for WHEN EAST MEETS WEST! /  by Stelana Kliris

Meraki Films had the pleasure of participating in the Midpoint Feature Launch 2022 Programme with the upcoming feature MY NAME IS LILY together with Yianna Americanou and Christina Georgiou. The final installment of the workshop was dedicated to just the producers and focused on their companies. This took place in Trieste at the very friendly co-production forum When East Meets West. Producer Stelana Kliris got to hang out with a group of filmmakers who are not only brilliant at their work, but also pretty amazing people…as the photo below would suggest!

LIFE UNEXPECTED at The Owl Screenwriting Workshop 2022 /  by Stelana Kliris

Stelana Kliris’ series LIFE UNEXPECTED was selected as one of ten projects to participate in the inaugural Owl Screenwriting Workshop 2022 in Athens, Greece. Presented by the City of Athens and the Athens Film Office, the workshop was made up of a very talented group of screenwriters and exceptional mentors from companies like Sony and StudioCanal. The workshop will continue with online sessions and then conclude with an awards ceremony in Cannes in May.

https://theowl.afo.events/

MY NAME IS LILY in Midpoint's Works in Development at Karlovy Vary /  by Stelana Kliris

We are in script development on a very unique project entitled MY NAME IS LILY which centers around an intersex character. The film is being written by Yianna Americanou (.dog) and Christina Georgiou (The Stray Story) and will be directed by Yianna and produced by Stelana Kliris under Meraki Films. The project has been supported by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.

MY NAME IS LILY was happily selected for the 2022 Midpoint Feature Launch programme and after months of mentoring, we presented our project at the Karlovy Vary Works in Development showcase alongside eight other amazing teams who have now become friends. A big thank you to Midpoint and the festival for such an enriching and empowering experience. And a huge congratulations to the projects MY BEST FRIEND’S BABY and DOLPHIN which were awarded! We can’t wait to see all of the Midpoint features come to life!

THE ISLANDER wrapped! /  by Stelana Kliris

After six intense, blissful, challenging, exciting weeks, our feature film THE ISLANDER wrapped and is now in full post-production swing!

A massive thank you to our film family, our producers, cast and crew who put their hearts and souls (and blood and sweat) into this film, and especially to our new family members, our amazing leads: Harry Connick Jr, Agni Scott and Ali Fumiko Whitney. Their dedication, love and talent just shines on the screen.

The film was shot entirely on the island of Cyprus between Peyia and Nicosia. It was an unprecedented local production for Cyprus in terms of scale and cast. It was a co-production between Uinta Productions (Tommy’s Honour), Meraki Films, in association with Das Films (The November Man), the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, and supported by the Cyprus Film Commission’s incentives scheme.

We are currently in post production so watch this space!

Harry Connick Jr., Mira Sorvino & Newcomer Ali Fumiko Whitney Board Rom-Com ‘The Islander’ /  by Stelana Kliris

EXCLUSIVE: Harry Connick Jr. (Dolphin Tale) and Mira Sorvino (Shining Vale) are set to star in the romantic comedy The Islander, from Cyprus-based filmmaker Stelana Kliris, which has also cast newcomer Ali Fumiko Whitney (The Road Dance).

The film shooting next month in Cyprus follows a has-been musician (Connick Jr.) as he moves, sight unseen, to a remote cliffside house on an island, only to discover his new home has an unfortunate notoriety. Through a series of charming mishaps, it turns out maybe love can be found right where he left it.

Kliris will direct from her own screenplay, and produce alongside Keith Arnold and Steven Shapiro. The project is from Uinta Productions (Tommy’s Honour) and Kliris’s Cyprus-based Meraki Films, in association with Das Films (The November Man), with support from the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Cyprus Film Commission’s incentives scheme. Pic will also feature original songs written and performed by Connick.

See full article here.


BETRAYAL director shortlisted for Cannes Lions Young Director Award 2020 /  by Stelana Kliris

Big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to our up and coming director Katiana Zachariou for being shortlisted for the Cannes Lions Young Director Award 2020 for her short film BETRAYAL! A very big thank you to our dedicated team and supporters, and of course the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture for funding our film. We are very proud and we wish Katiana the best! We look forward to our film’s festival run.

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LIFE UNEXPECTED pitches at Sarajevo Film Festival! /  by Stelana Kliris

After a thrilling 9 months with of developing our series LIFE UNEXPECTED, a 9-part dramedy on fertility and pregnancy, writer Stelana Kliris and producer Tonia Mishiali pitched their project at the final Midpoint TV Launch session at the Sarajevo Film Festival. This was an especially personal journey for writer Stelana Kliris as she fell pregnant during the development of the project after her own struggle with fertility. The series is currently being reviewed by potential buyers.

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THE ISLANDER goes to Galway /  by Stelana Kliris

As we develop our feature THE ISLANDER, we were very happy to be selected for the 2019 Galway Film Fleadh, a formidable film market where we had the opportunity to present our project to potential co-producers.

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TV series selected for 2019 Midpoint TV Launch /  by Stelana Kliris

We are very happy to announce that writer Stelana Kliris and producer Tonia Mishiali have been selected with their project LIFE UNEXPECTED for the 2019 Midpoint TV Launch! This is an exciting and  respected programme that develops series projects from “idea to market” over a course of 9 months and with the guidance of amazing mentors and organisers. For more information, check their site:

https://www.midpoint-center.eu/programs/189-midpoint-tv-launch-2019

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TO THE MOON AND BACK awarded at ISFFC /  by Stelana Kliris

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that TO THE MOON AND BACK won 2nd Prize for Best Film in the National Competition at the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus! A big thank you to our team, the festival and the jury…what an honour! And special thanks to producer Tonia Mishiali who was there to pick up the award!

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TO THE MOON AND BACK premieres at Drama /  by Stelana Kliris

Our short film had the pleasure of premiering at the Drama International Short Film Festival in Greece in September 2018 in both the national and international competitions. We were among fine company with fellow filmmakers from Cyprus and friends from Greece.

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THE ISLANDER at EAVE /  by Stelana Kliris

Meraki Films and producer Stelana Kliris are thrilled to have been selected in the 2018 EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs) Producers Workshop with the project THE ISLANDER. This is an intense year-long course with three on-site workshops in Luxembourg, Norway and Spain respectively. The selected projects are developed with leading experts in the European film industry and many talented peers, and so far, the experience has been incredible!

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THE ISLANDER goes to Rhodes! /  by Stelana Kliris

In October THE ISLANDER went to its second Greek Island in the MFI Script to Film workshop series. This is the first year that MFI has graced the island of Rhodes and it was nothing short of breath-taking. With classes in the old town amongst castles and cobbled roads, the only thing missing was a knight in armour to join our discussions.

In general, this programme has offered epiphanies, at times enlightenment, at times frustration, lots of laughs, lots of learning, great new friendships and a great appreciation for being able to pursue the art of storytelling.

TO THE MOON...It's a wrap! /  by Stelana Kliris

Our short film TO THE MOON AND BACK has gone there and back and, after much preparation and rehearsal, is in the can!

Our ten-minute tale of urban star-crossed lovers was shot over a day in Nicosia in September. Half the film was shot as a single, continuous shot - kudos to our cast and crew for pulling off this 'hold your breath' stunt!

Namely our awesome actors Irene Karagiorgi and Giannis Karaoulis and our spectacular crew: Stelana Kliris (Director), Tonia Mishiali (Producer), Stephan Metzner (DOP), Lydia Mandrisou (Production Designer), Nick Swanson (Steadicam), Kyriacos Mosfiliotis (Focus Puller), Alexandros Sophocleous (DIT), Christos Kyriacoullis (Sound Recordist), Kyriakos Politis (Gaffer), Aristos Steliou (Electrician), George Trakoshis (Grip), Eleni Vavanou (Make-up), George Spyris (Production Assistant), Christos Michailidis (Catering) and Michalis Christophides (Art Assistant).

The film is now in post production with VFX by Nikolas Zissimos and we look forward to sharing with you in the new year!