POLITIS TEAM
The new “First Encounters” initiative combines classic film screenings and creative workshops aimed at helping children become more critical and engaged viewers.
STYX Film Encounters is launching First Encounters, a new film education programme for children that will run at Pantheon Theatre in Nicosia from 17 October to 19 December 2026.
Held across six Saturdays, the programme features three film screenings and three two-hour creative workshops, introducing children to the art of cinema and encouraging critical engagement with the media they consume.
The organisers say the initiative aims not only to teach children how films are made but also to help them understand how audiovisual content is constructed, how it can be manipulated and how it can influence audiences.
Screenings and workshops may be attended independently, allowing children to participate in either or both parts of the programme.
Film screenings for all ages
The screening programme opens with Hugo (Martin Scorsese, 2011) on 17 October at 3pm.
The film follows a boy living secretly in a Paris railway station who discovers the story of Georges Méliès, one of cinema’s pioneering filmmakers, making it a fitting introduction to the history of film.
Toy Story (John Lasseter, 1995) will be shown on 14 November at 3pm.
Widely regarded as the first feature-length computer-animated film, it remains a landmark in animation history while exploring themes of friendship and jealousy.
The final screening is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton, 2005) on 12 December at 5.30pm, bringing Burton’s distinctive visual style to Roald Dahl’s classic story.
Workshops for children aged seven to 10
The workshops are designed for children aged 7 to 10.
The first session, What Is Cinema?, takes place on 7 November from 3pm to 5pm and introduces participants to filmmaking, from cameras to editing.
A second workshop, How Do Films Shape Emotions?, will be held on 28 November from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and explores how directors use music, colour, framing and rhythm to influence audience emotions.
The final workshop, Stories Across Different Media, takes place on 12 December from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Using Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a starting point, children will compare the original book with its screen adaptation. Attendance at the film screening is not required.
According to the organisers, the workshops aim to help children move beyond passive viewing and become active, thoughtful audiences.
Practical information
- Venue: Pantheon Theatre, Nicosia
- Workshop tickets: €10 per child
- Screening tickets: €5 per child, with free entry for one accompanying adult
- Workshop language: Greek, with English translation
- Screenings: Greek and English subtitles
- Information and registrations: styxfilmencounters@gmail.com
About STYX Film Encounters
STYX Film Encounters is a Nicosia-based initiative dedicated to promoting film literacy and cinema culture through curated screenings and educational activities.
The organisation aims to showcase landmark films that stimulate both emotion and critical thinking, while preserving the shared cinema experience at a time when streaming platforms increasingly dominate media consumption.
