Alexandra Mattheou's short film selected for Cannes

The short film 'Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection)', directed by Alexandra Mattheou, will hold its world premiere at the 58th edition of the Quinzaine des Cinéastes during the Cannes Film Festival, scheduled for May 13-23, 2026. It is one of only nine short films selected for this year's program. The story focuses on a woman working in a luxury resort who faces challenges due to a rare anatomical condition that prevents her from smiling. She must choose between societal pressure to conform to a norm of forced positivity or resisting to maintain her autonomy. The project is a co-production between Cyprus, Greece, and France. Production companies involved include This Is The Girl Films, with co-production by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Onassis Culture, Homemade Films, and La Cellule Productions. The film's producer is Savvas Stavrou, with cinematography by Luciana Riso and editing by Nikos Vavoris.