Bearcave

Bearcave
GreekΑρκουδότρυπα
Directed by
  • Stergios Dinopoulos
  • Krysianna B. Papadakis
Written by
  • Stergios Dinopoulos
  • Krysianna B. Papadakis
Produced by
  • Emily Sky Hickin
  • Stergios Dinopoulos
  • Krysianna B. Papadakis
  • Thanasis Michalopoulos
  • Arsinoi Pilou
  • Ishan Sanjay Deshpande
Starring
  • Chara Kyriazi
  • Pamela Oikonomaki
CinematographyArsinoi Pilou
Edited by
  • Vagelis Katsaros
  • Krysianna B. Papadakis
  • Stergios Dinopoulos
Music byJohn Tournas
Production
companies
  • Pameligo Collective
  • Pucci Productions
Release dates
  • 27 August 2025 (2025-08-27) (Venice)
  • 21 May 2026 (2026-05-21) (Greece)
Running time
127 minutes
Countries
  • Greece
  • United Kingdom
LanguageGreek

Bearcave (Greek: Αρκουδότρυπα) 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

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 Ref.
Venice Film Festival 5 September 2025 Europa Cinemas Label Award Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis Won
Thessaloniki Film Festival 9 November 2025 Mermaid Award Special Mention
FIPRESCI Award for Best Greek Film Won
FOS Actress Award Chara Kyriazi Won
Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece Award Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis Won
WIFT GR Award Won
Special Youth Jury Award Won
Hellenic Film Academy Awards 17 June 2026 Best Film Emily Sky Hickin, Stergios Dinopoulos, Krysianna B. Papadakis, Thanasis Michalopoulos, Arsinoi Pilou, and Ishan Sanjay Deshpande Pending
Best Director Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna B. Papadakis Pending
Best Debut Director Pending
Best Screenplay Pending
Best Actress Chara Kyriazi Pending
Best Cinematography Arsinoi Pilou Pending
Best Original Music John Tournas Pending

References

  1. ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (8 November 2024). "'Bearcave' Offers 'Unseen Perspective' Into Lives of Young Queer Women in Rural Greece". Variety. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "ARKOUDOTRYPA". Giornate degli Autori. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Barraclough, Leo (3 October 2024). "Thessaloniki's Industry Section Agora Showcases Nine Projects in Works in Progress Section (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Ntim, Zac (7 November 2024). "Thessaloniki Agora Awards: 'African Grey' By Greek Filmmaker Yorgos Goussis Among Top Winners — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (24 July 2025). "Giornate Degli Autori: Claire Simon, Cyril Aris, Firouzeh Khosrovani & Gianni Di Gregorio Set For Parallel Venice Sidebar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Kapranos, Akis (21 May 2026). "«Αρκουδότρυπα»: Μια φρέσκια ματιά στην ελληνική επαρχία". Naftemporiki (in Greek). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Mitsis, Christos (26 May 2026). "Greek box office: How did the summer reception of "The Mandalorian" come?". Athinorama. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Szalai, Georg (5 September 2025). "Venice Days Top Prize Awarded to Amir Azizi's 'Inside Amir'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Economou, Vassilis (10 November 2025). "Suzannah Mirghani's Cotton Queen crowned Best Film at Thessaloniki". Cineuropa. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Nominations for the 2026 Iris Awards announced". Athinorama. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.