Malta’s biggest film festival is back, and judging from the exciting programme, attendees are in for some superb cinema from our shores and beyond.

The bar is set high this year, reflecting the quick growth and the impressive reputation the Valletta Film Festival is garnering around Europe. The festival will see over 40 fiction, documentary and short films getting their Maltese premieres between the 8th – 17th June.

The 4th edition of the VFF will be screening films in some of the most beautiful viewing spaces in Valletta, and the sheer amount of new additions to this year’s festival makes this one you definitely shouldn’t miss – and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you need to get them ASAP by following this link. 

This insane-looking black comedy featuring an awesome St Bernard will be opening the festival

St Bernard Syndicate is about two Danish men in their thirties who set out to build a dog breeding centre in China, which is as wild a premise as any. This is the official opening film of the Valletta Film Festival, and you can get tickets for St Bernard Syndicate here.

The festival’s opening party is happening right after the film

Hastings Gardens will be filled with some of the most talented filmmakers and producers from around Malta and Europe. The festival’s opening party is the perfect place to rub shoulders and get that script you’ve been working on for years into the right hands. Get tickets for the opening party here.

Get access to amazing workshops and masterclasses with world-renowned experts

Explore topics like empowerment through animation and documentary sub-genres in the VFF’s masterclass series.

One workshop will be focused entirely on the dynamics of filming water. To be held on Sunday, it’ll be hosted by the distinguished British film director, screenwriter, and artist Peter Greenaway. 

Or get jealous of the tailor-made programme for teens 

Teens Only is a section dedicated to young audiences, particularly teens between 14 and 19. Featuring five incredible coming-of-age films, don’t be surprised to see a ton of adults heading towards this section as well.

There’s a whole section focused on East Asian cinema 

As part of the sidebar section Without Borders, attendees will be able to to watch some award-winning Asian films to round out the event and give you a taste of the exotic. 

And, of course, there’s the world-class cinema

Here are two of our favourites from the 2018 programme.

You can check out the events programme below, as well as the feature film programme by following this link:

Ceremony events

Opening Screening + Ceremony: Friday 8 June 2018

Closing Screening + Ceremony: Saturday 16 June 2018

Official Competition Line-up: screened from Friday 8 June – Friday 15 June 2018

Daily Events: 

Talent Talks (discussions with filmmakers in competition) from Saturday 9 June – Saturday 16 June.

Social Events:  

8th June – Opening Party at Hastings Gardens from 23:00 – tickets on sale

9th June – Coctails Al Fresco at De Robertis Terrace from 19:00 – free entry

14th June – Aperitivo at Kingsway – from 19:00 – free entry

15th June – Fashion Aperitivo at Vino’s – from 19:00 – free entry

15th June – Magic Hour at Vino’s – from 22:00– free entry

16th June – Closing Party at Herbert Ganado Gardens – from 23:00 – tickets on sale

The Valletta Film Festival will be hosted in a series of venues around Valletta from the 8th to 17th June. Book your tickets and check out the programme by following this link.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]