Special Teaching Staff in Media Production

Qualifications

MFA in Filmmaking, New York Film Academy, Los Angeles (2018)

BA/MFA in Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2015)

Specialization

Film Directing, Screenwriting, Cinematography, Video Art

Employment Track

Special Teaching Staff in Media Production, UCLan Cyprus (2025–present)

Head Instructor, Film Directing, Cult Experiences Academy (2022–present)

Film Director, Writer & Producer, Cult Experiences (2022–present)

Organizer, Cult Experiences Festival (2022–present)

Research & Artistic Interests

The art and psychology of cinematic storytelling, Impact of narrative structure, visual language, and performance on emotional and psychological experiences. The contribution of visual metaphors and subtext to meaning in film. Interdisciplinary approaches that bring together film, dance, fashion, and music, creating hybrid forms of expression that expand the boundaries of screen-based storytelling, Educational aspect of filmmaking andpractice-based learning, Cypriot and Mediterranean film identity, The connection of culture, creativity, and audience engagement.

Roles and Responsibilities (including past roles and responsibilities)

Teaching and Course Leadership

Module Leadership/Delivery: Advanced Lighting Practice, Producing and Directing for TV, Video Post-Production

Head Instructor, Film Directing, Cult Experiences Academy (2022–present)

• Film Directing Course: Film Directing, Film Screenwriting, Film Production

Selective Artistic Exhibitions, Installations & Events Participation

• 1, February 26, 2021 , Nevermore Film Festival , International , Durham, North Carolina, US , Filmmaker
• 2 , March 20, 2021  , HorrorHound Film Festival , International , Milford, Ohio, US , Filmmaker
• 3 , August 27, 2021 , FrightFest , International , London, UK , Filmmaker
• 4 , April 15, 2021 , Panic Fest , International , North Kansas City, Missuri, US , Filmmaker
• June 2018 — Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, US , Filmmaker
• May 2018 – North Hollywood CineFest, Los Angeles, CA, US, Filmmaker
• June 2017 — Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, US, Filmmaker
• May 2021 – Tubi, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku Channel, Fandago and YoutubeTV, US, Filmmaker

Selective Conference and Seminar Presentations 

• Cult Experiences Festival Youth 2025 — Presentation at Edutainment EdX Summit, Youth Tech Fest Cyprus, Speaker.
• Film Directing Course — Practice-based seminar series, Cult Experiences Academy, Instructor, Limassol, 2023–present.
• Kolla Market: Pocket Film Challenge — Smartphone filmmaking workshop with hands-on direction and mentoring.
• Urban Oasis — Creative media workshop series, facilitator and lead instructor for “Movement in Films.”
• Cult Experiences Festivals & Workshops — Series of immersive filmmaking events, training sessions, and community labs led by Savvas Christou.

 Selective Research Funding/ Grant Capture

• Captive (Feature Film) – Funded through private investors and independent financing secured for production and post-production.
• Cult Experiences Festivals (Cyprus Music Video Festival, Cyprus Dance Film Festival, Cyprus Fashion Film Festival) – Supported through private investors, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions from local creative partners and businesses.
  
  

Scholarships/Awards

Captive (2021)

• Winner – Best Picture, Audience Award (Nevermore Film Festival 2021)
• Winner – Best Feature Film (Horrorhound Film Festival 2021)
• Winner – Best Writing (Horrorhound Film Festival 2021)
• Nominee – Best Directing (Horrorhound Film Festival 2021)
• Nominee – Judges Choice (Horrorhound Film Festival 2021)

A Scream That’s Trapped Inside (2017)

• Winner – Best Horror Short (North Hollywood Cinefest 2018)
• Winner – Best Narrative Short (Barcelona Planet Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Experimental (Things 2 Fear Film Fest 2017)
• Winner – Best Mystery Short (MedFF 2017)
• Winner – Best Short Film (Gold Movie Awards 2017)
• Winner – Best Student Director (European Cinematography Awards 2017)
• Winner – Best Horror Short (Paris Play Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Short Film (Hollywood Film Competition 2017)
• Winner – Best Horror (UK Monthly Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Experimental Film (Oniros Film Awards 2017)
• Winner – Best Student Short Film (Aab International Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Experimental (Indie Suspense Horror Sci-Fi Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Sci-Fi/Horror Short (Equality International Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – Best Psychological Thriller (Hollywood Hills Awards 2017)
• Winner – Best Trailer (The Magic of Horror 2017)
• Winner – Best Director (Dreamachine International Film Festival 2019)
• Winner – Best of the Fest Short Film (Dreamachine International Film Festival 2019)
• Winner – Best Director (Dreamer’s Isle Film Festival 2019)
• Multiple additional nominations at Alternative Film Festival, Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, TMFF, Independent Horror Movie Awards, Roma Cinema Doc, etc.

Inevitable (2016)

• Winner – Best Student Short Film (Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2016)
• Winner – Best Director (Direct Short Online Film Festival 2016)
• Nominee – Los Angeles Cinefest Award (2016)
• Nominee – TMFF (Student Film & Editor of the Month, 2016)
• Nominee – International Motion Festival 2017

I Wanna Play (2016)

• Winner – Best Short Film (North American Film Awards 2016)
• Winner – Best Short (Things 2 Fear Film Fest 2016)
• Winner – Best Horror Short (MedFF 2016)
• Nominee – Jury Award Semi Finalist (2016)

Nympho’s Diary (2016)

• Winner – Best Gore (Independent Horror Movie Awards 2016)
• Winner – Best Student Vampire Film (Bloody Horror International Film Festival 2017)
• Winner – “Nowhere to Hide” Award (Bad Theater Fest / Film Fest 2017)
• Multiple nominations including Best Kill, Short Horror, Short Film

Lilith Come Out (2016)

• Nominee – Best Sympathy for the Devil Short Film (Swapping Dead Film Festival 2016)
• Semi Finalist (Alternative Film Festival & Jury Award 2016)

Capture (2017)

• Winner – Best Trailer (Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2017, Paris Play Film Festival 2017, The Magic of Horror 2017)

6:00pm (2018)

• Nominee – Best Short Film (Los Angeles Greek Film Festival 2018)
• Nominee – Jury Award, Short to the Point International Film Festival 2018
• Nominee – Best Director (Barcelona Planet Film Festival 2018)

Other Scholarly and Outreach Activities

• Founder and Director of Cult Experiences, a production company and cultural platform supporting film, dance, fashion, and music collaborations in Cyprus.
• Organizer of the Cult Experiences Festival, which unites the Cyprus Music Video Festival, Cyprus Dance Film Festival, and Cyprus Fashion Film Festival under one interdisciplinary event.
• Organizer of the Cyprus Film Festival, promoting independent cinema and emerging filmmakers in Cyprus.
• Founder and Lead Instructor at the Cult Experiences Academy, providing professional-level training in film directing, production, and storytelling.
• Served as jury member for the Cyprus Music Video Festival (CMVF), Cyprus Fashion Film Festival (CFFF), Cyprus Dance Film Festival (CDFF), Cyprus Film Festival and Dancefilmmaking, and Cyprus Comic Con film competitions.
• Guest speaker and workshop leader at creative education events including Youth Tech Fest Cyprus.