Malta Film Festival

Overview

The Malta Film Festival is Malta's most important film festival. Founded in 2019 in Valletta, Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital city, the festival celebrates Mediterranean cinema and international films in one of Europe's smallest and most historically rich nations.

Malta has been a significant production location for international films and television series, with its Baroque architecture, warm Mediterranean climate, and experienced crew base attracting productions from around the world. The festival builds on this production heritage to create an audience for international cinema in the Maltese public.

Valletta's extraordinary Baroque architecture and its fortified harbor provide a spectacular festival setting. The city's designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2018 elevated its international cultural profile, and the film festival builds on this momentum.

Key Sections

• Mediterranean Panorama -- films from Mediterranean countries
• International Competition -- competitive international programming
• Maltese Film Showcase -- new Maltese productions
• Special Screenings -- outdoor and special venue screenings

What Filmmakers Should Know

The festival accepts submissions. For Maltese filmmakers, this is the most important domestic platform. For Mediterranean filmmakers, the festival provides a geographically appropriate regional context. For international filmmakers, Malta's production infrastructure and its European connections create useful industry relationships.

Major Awards

• Best Mediterranean Film -- jury prize
• Best Maltese Film
• Audience Award

Festival History

The Malta Film Festival was founded in 2019 and has quickly established itself as the country's primary film cultural event.

See Also

For Mediterranean cinema, see International Film Markets. For Malta as a production location, see Film Locations.