Bearcave () is a 2025 film written, produced, and directed by Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis in their feature directorial debuts. It is a feature-length adaptation of their 2023 short film of the same name, starring Chara Kyriazi and Pamela Oikonomaki, who reprise their roles from the short film. It is an international co-production of Greece and United Kingdom.
The film had its world premiere at the Giornate degli Autori section of the 82nd Venice Film Festival on 27 August 2025, where it was nominated for Queer Lion. It was released in Greek theatres on 21 May 2026. It received seven nominations at the 2026 Hellenic Film Academy Awards, including Best Film.
Premise A pregnant woman is challenged by her childhood friend, who secretly has romantic feelings for her, to embark on an adventure in search of the mythical Bear Cave.
Cast Chara Kyriazi as Argyro Pamela Oikonomaki as Anneta Sofia Linospori as Anneta's mother-in-law Vaso Gkougkara as Anneta's grandmother Lefteris Tsatsis as Argyro's father Sozos Christou as Mike
Production In November 2024, Bearcave participated at the Agora Works in Progress, held during the Thessaloniki Film Festival. The project won the Authorwave Post-Production Award.
Release Bearcave had its world premiere at the Giornate degli Autori section of the 82nd Venice Film Festival on 27 August 2025. The film was theatrically released in Greek theatres on 21 May 2026. It garnered 4,718 admissions in its first weekend of showing.
Accolades Film festival or award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Venice Film Festival 5 September 2025 Europa Cinemas Label AwardStergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis Thessaloniki Film Festival9 November 2025 Mermaid Award FIPRESCI Award for Best Greek Film FOS Actress Award Chara Kyriazi Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece AwardStergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis WIFT GR Award Special Youth Jury Award Hellenic Film Academy Awards17 June 2026 Best Film Emily Sky Hickin, Stergios Dinopoulos, Krysianna B. Papadakis, Thanasis Michalopoulos, Arsinoi Pilou, and Ishan Sanjay Deshpande Best DirectorStergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis Best Debut Director Best Screenplay Best Actress Chara Kyriazi Best Cinematography Arsinoi Pilou Best Original Music John Tournas
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