NOW-HERE, a psychological drama by Alexander Leontaritis, was filmed in Cyprus at the end of 2025 and is set for release at film festivals worldwide in 2026. The story follows Daniel (Demetris Yiorkatzis), a successful professional who believes he is late for a crucial business presentation. What he does not realize is that he is late for something far more important: his own life. Seraphina (Inessa Kraft), his wife, is waiting not only for his return but for his presence. The short film explores how ambition overrides connection.
Characters developed with care by Alexander Leontaritis carry the emotional weight of the film. Daniel’s world runs on schedules and corporate demands. He has put his personal life and his ability to care on hold for years, while Seraphina represents everything he keeps postponing, increasing his inner pressure.
The drama reflects a familiar challenge of modern life, where being now and here is difficult in a fast-paced world. As Daniel drives through open roads, the steppe hills near Nicosia mirror his mind. The emotional tension is brought to life by Demetris Yiorkatzis and Inessa Kraft, both actors in Cyprus, who step convincingly into the deep territory of psychological drama.
Even when Daniel believes he is moving forward, he may be circling the same point. NOW-HERE plays with this duality. The title itself can be perceived in two ways: Now, here or nowhere? That choice defines his journey. Doros Poullis adds a mysterious presence, and seven-year-old Giorgos Leontaritis brings simplicity and innocence that add weight to the film.
Behind the camera, a skilled international team worked under the vision of director Alexander Leontaritis. He led with technical precision and big-screen quality while staying attentive to the actors. His leadership balanced professionalism with genuine care, allowing creativity to grow.
The atmosphere on set was highly collaborative and creative, with each member contributing their skills at the highest level.
Cinematographer Stephan Metzner used precise visual language to guide the audience into a space where realism and non-realism intersect, while building trust on set and encouraging actors to offer their most honest emotions to the camera. Costume designer Angela Schnoeke-Paasch artfully expressed each character’s psychology through color and texture, using wardrobe as an emotional tool. The production was further supported by Axel Mitta, Marios Minas, George Throdoulou, and Xenios Ioannidis, whose experience and technical precision ensured a smooth process on set and a high standard throughout filming.
Drone operator Doros Poullis elevated the film with striking aerial sequences. The screenplay by Alexander Leontaritis with co-writer Christos Megarchiotis, music by Christos Andreou, and teaser and poster design by Andreas Stavrakis shaped the film’s emotional tone. Now in post production and set for festival release next year, the short aims to invite the viewer into a space where time, success, regret, and silence ask the most important questions.
The production was made possible through the commitment and producing work of Alexander Leontaritis, Andros Achilleos, Costas Picolas, and the production companies AB Seahorse Films and Cine-Dukes.
Cyprus, being a strong film destination with over 300 sunny days a year, offered the team a reliable schedule for production. The Mediterranean island’s diverse locations, from beaches and mountains to historical sites and urban areas, allowed NOW-HERE to find the setting that matched its psychological tone: the late-summer empty steppes that reflected Daniel’s inner world. A professional production environment, skilled crews, and, most importantly, devoted talent with strong international backgrounds both in front of and behind the camera made Cyprus not only a place but an essential part of the storytelling process.
All updates about NOW-HERE and future projects will be published through the Cine-Dukes Facebook page.
For updates from the actors visit their Instagram profiles:
Instagram: demetrisyio
Instagram: ineskraft
For more information about the productions and partners, visit:
seahorsefilms.com
kerketion.com
