Free Eliza
(Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection)

At the 58th edition of the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes), held this year from May 13 to May 23, 2026, the new short film by Alexandra Matheou, titled "Free Eliza (Notes on an Anatomical Imperfection)," will make its world premiere.

A co-production between Cyprus, Greece, and France, "Free Eliza" is among the nine short films selected for this year’s program of the Quinzaine, a section historically known for highlighting independent and daring cinematic voices.

The Plot

The film tells the story of Eliza, a young woman working at a luxury resort. Her daily life is demanding, made even more difficult by an extremely rare anatomical quirk: she cannot smile. In a world where enforced positivity is the norm, Eliza must decide whether to yield to pressures to change or to resist, claiming her right to acceptance and survival on her own terms.

Production Credits

The film is produced by This Is The Girl Films, in co-production with the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Onassis Culture, Homemade Films, and La Cellule Productions.

• Written & Directed by: Alexandra Matheou

• Producer: Savvas Stavrou

• Co-producers: Soyo Giaoui, Marion Barré, Maria Drandaki, Kyveli Short, Everybodies

• Executive Producers: Steven J. Ballantyne, Vanessa Kirzi, Emma Doxiadis

• Director of Photography: Luciana Riso

• Editor: Nikos Vavouris GFE

• Production Sound Mixer: Andreas Hadjipandelis

• Boom Operator: Orestis Prastis

• Sound Design & Mixing: Alexandre Hecker

• Foley: Nikos Linardopoulos

• Color Grading: Manthos Sardis

• Production Manager: Ioanna Sinclair

• 1st Assistant Director: Eleni Nicolaou

• Costume Designer: Katerina Ttakka

• Production Designer: Andreas Antoniou

• Makeup & Hair Design: Toni Sokratous

• Location Manager: Dimitra Georgiou

• Script Supervisor: Kaiti Papadima

• Original Score: Marilena Orfanou

• Cast: Grigoria Metheniti, Polyxeni Savva, Zoe Kyprianou, Giorgos Kyriakou, Ioli Pitta, Alexis Neophytou