Hold onto Me
| Hold Onto Me | |
|---|---|
Official film poster | |
| Κράτα Με | |
| Directed by | Myrsini Aristidou |
| Written by | Myrsini Aristidou |
| Produced by | Myrsini Aristidou Monica Nicolaidou |
| Starring | Christos Passalis Maria Petrova |
| Cinematography | Lasse Ulvedal Tolbøll |
| Edited by | Myrsini Aristidou Jenna Mangulad |
| Music by | Alex Weston |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Countries | Cyprus Denmark Greece |
| Language | Greek |
Hold Onto Me (Greek: Κράτα Με) is a 2026 Cypriot drama film written and directed by Myrsini Aristidou. The film stars Christos Passalis and Maria Petrova. It premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic. The film became the first Cypriot film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and the first Greek-language film to win an award at the festival.[1]
Plot
Eleven-year-old Iris learns that her estranged father, Aris, has returned to town for his own father's funeral. Wanting to get to know him, Iris finds him in the dilapidated shipyard where he has been living in isolation.
Cast
- Christos Passalis as Aris
- Maria Petrova as Iris
- Jenny Sallo as Danae
- Aulona Lupa as Stella
- Loukas Zikos as Boat Owner
- Achilleas Grammatikopoulos as Elias
- Andreas Koutsoftas as Police Officer
- Giorgos Kyriacou as Kostas
Production
Hold Onto Me is a Cypriot–Danish–Greek–American co-production by Monica Nicolaidou for Filmblades and Myrsini Aristidou’s One Six One Films, in co-production with Anders NU Berg for Fredo Pictures (Denmark) and Konstantina Stavrianou and Rena Vougioukalou for Athens-based Graal SA. Mark Hollinger and Thomas J. Mangan IV serve as executive producers for Pleasant Bay Pictures and Mango Productions. The film received support from the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, ERT SA, the Danish Film Institute, the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center, the Black Family Film Foundation at NYU Tisch, Pleasant Bay Pictures and the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, where the project received the Emerging Filmmaker Prize.[2]
International sales for the film are handled by Cercamon.[3]
Development
The project was developed over several years and expands on themes explored in Aristidou's earlier short films Semele (2015) and Aria (2017), which also focus on young girls navigating complex family relationships. During development the project participated in several international programmes including the Cinéfondation Résidence of the Cannes Film Festival, the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem, and the TIFF Talent Lab. At the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab the project received the Emerging Filmmaker Prize.
Filming
Principal photography took place in Limassol and Nicosia in Cyprus. The film was shot by Danish cinematographer Lasse Ulvedal Tolbøll.
Release
Hold Onto Me had its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic. Cyprus Mail and CBN reported that the premiere screening was sold out and received a double standing ovation.[4][5]
The film was the first Cypriot film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and the first Greek-language film at the festival to win an award.[6][7]
Distribution
Distribution in Denmark was acquired by Angel Films.
Reception
Following its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Hold Onto Me received positive reviews from critics.
Writing for RogerEbert.com, critic Marya E. Gates praised Aristidou’s direction and the emotional tension of the film’s final act, noting that she "found [herself] holding [her] breath more than once" and commending the film for ending "without any traditional closure", concluding: "More of that, please."[8]
Carlos Aguilar of Variety described the film as a heartfelt drama about the evolving bond between a young girl and her estranged father.[9]
Cineuropa highlighted the film’s coming-of-age perspective and the dynamic between Maria Petrova and Christos Passalis, noting the emotional progression of their relationship throughout the story.[10]
The Playlist praised the film's "enthralling performances" and strong direction.[11]
Next Best Picture described the film as "a profoundly rewarding experience" that explores how fractured relationships can still carry a powerful instinct for connection.[12]
The Film Verdict emphasized the film’s exploration of father-daughter relationships and the emotional intimacy of the performances by Christos Passalis and Maria Petrova.[13]
Loud and Clear Reviews described the film as a "visually driven" and emotionally mature debut feature that captures the hardships of childhood and parenthood.[14]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 12 critic reviews.[15]
Themes
Critics highlighted the film’s exploration of adolescence and the shifting dynamics between a child and an absent parent. Several reviews noted that the narrative centers on Iris’s attempts to forge a relationship with her estranged father, portraying both the emotional volatility of youth and the fragile process of reconciliation.[16][17]
Awards
| Year | Festival | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sundance Film Festival | Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic | Won |
External links
References
- ^ "HOLD ONTO ME (Κράτα Με)". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Review: Hold Onto Me". Cineuropa. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Sundance Film 'Hold Onto Me' Gets Sales Pickup". Deadline. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Double standing ovation for first Cypriot Greek-language production to premiere at Sundance". CBN. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "'Hold Onto Me' wins Audience Award at Sundance". Cyprus Mail. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Double standing ovation for first Cypriot Greek-language production to premiere at Sundance". CBN. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "'Hold Onto Me' wins Audience Award at Sundance". Cyprus Mail. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ Gates, Marya E. (26 January 2026). "Sundance 2026: Big Girls Don't Cry, Hold Onto Me, Tell Me Everything". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "'Hold Onto Me' Review". Variety. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ Popp, Olivia (27 January 2026). "Review: Hold Onto Me". Cineuropa. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Wilson, Lena (31 January 2026). "'Hold Onto Me' Review". The Playlist. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ Clements, Sara (26 January 2026). "Hold Onto Me Review". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Hold Onto Me". The Film Verdict. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Hold Onto Me Film Review". Loud and Clear Reviews. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Hold Onto Me". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Sundance 2026: Big Girls Don't Cry, Hold Onto Me, Tell Me Everything". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Review: Hold Onto Me". Cineuropa. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.