WIN: 7 Reasons You Need To Check Out The Valletta Film Festival This Year
Once a year, Malta’s capital city turns into a city-wide cinema that is the stuff of film-buff dreams. The Valletta Film Festival is back for the fifth edition from the 14th to the 23rd of June, and they’ve got something for everyone. From masterclasses with the experts and local masterpieces to a kids’ weekend, the VFF is 10 days packed full of exciting activities and events.
If that video didn’t make you want to sprint to Valletta and get cosy with your loved ones while watching a film we don’t know what will.
Here are seven other reasons why you need to check the Valletta Film Festival this month.
1. There will be almost 100 films screened over 10 days
VFF’s programme is made up of 47 feature-length films and 50 short films. Highlights include a biopic about football legend Diego Maradona, with Oscar winning director Asif Kapadia attending the premiere on Saturday 22nd. Other big titles straight from the Cannes Film Festival include the acclaimed Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Traitor and The Whistlers. Critically acclaimed local film Baħar Żmien/Of Time and The Sea will also be screened during the festival.
2. Films will be screened at five different venues all over Valletta
So you could catch a film in a massive open-air cinema at Pjazza Teatru Rjal or at the art house cinema Spazju Kreattiv. Other venues include the Valletta Campus Theatre and Pjazza San Gorg.
3. There’s going to be a ‘Teens Only’ section
A selection of coming-of-age films aimed at young audiences, particularly teens from 14 to 19-year-olds, will be aired here. This section serves as a bridge between filmmakers and young audiences and a platform for discussions on subjects of interest to young people.
Audiences attending screenings in this section will be invited to vote for the TEENS CHOICE AWARD that will be announced during the closing ceremony of the film festival.
4. A whole list of international films in loads of different languages
The ‘Islanders’ section of the programme that includes four productions that are mainly set on islands or produced by filmmakers that are citizens or residents of an island. The films included here hail from Italy, France, Switzerland, and Malta.
This year’s ‘Without Borders’ section focuses on Francophone films. Films from France, Canada, Senegal, Belgium and other French-speaking territories will be presented during the fifth edition of Valletta Film Festival.
5. A weekend dedicated specifically to kids
From Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd June, the Valletta Film Festival will be screening a couple of films aimed at kids and young audiences that parents can enjoy too!
6. Chat with Legendary Auteurs Lilana Cavani and Bela Tarr
Two legendary European auteurs join this year’s festival line up: Liliana Cavani and Bela Tarr. Both will attend the VFF for the first time, presenting their work in person.
Italian director Liliana Cavani is renowned for her rich visual language. With a plethora of titles under her belt, she is best known for her erotic psychological thriller The Night Porter, which created a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic when it was released in 1974. The Night Porter screens Monday 17th June at Spazju Kreattiv, with Cavani in conversation. The director will also host an hour-long Master Class on Tuesday 18th June at Valletta Campus Theatre.
Hungarian director Bela Tarr, whose mesmerising long-takes, socio political commentary and distinctive cinematic voice have earned him international critical acclaim, will host a Master Class on Saturday 22nd June at The Phoenicia Hotel. Audiences will also have the opportunity to watch Turin House – one of his most acclaimed works.
7. Free films at Pjazza San Ġorġ
During the 10 days of the festival, this main square in Valletta is turned into a cinema showing a variety of free screenings including classic films, short film cartes blanches and thematic films.
Check out the full VFF programme here and get your tickets now!
You can purchase venue-specific tickets, and there are special passes for students and industry members, and all-inclusive passes to the entire festival.
We have a couple of all-inclusive passes to give away to one lucky Lovin reader
All you have to do is tag a friend in the comments below and you could be on your way to 10 days of movie heaven.
For more information on where to purchase your Valletta Film Festival tickets and passes, click here.
