THE FIRST EVER MALTA INDIA FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES IN MALTA

The Malta India Film Academy will launch the first edition of the Malta India Film Festival to be held in Malta from December 14-16, 2018. The festival, a first of its kind, will be open to film-makers from across the world who have either Maltese or Indian element in their film. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malta, the endeavor is to build a creative bridge encouraging art, culture and entertainment between the two countries.

Deepak Kesarkar, Nimish Pandya, Shiamak Davar, Vidya Balan, Konrad Mizzi, Engelbert Grech, Vijay Krishna Acharya

The Festival will invite entries across different genres of cinema and will be in categories of Feature Film, Short Film & Documentaries. The shortlisted set of films, as graded by the panel of jury, will then be screened over three days in Valletta, the capital city of Malta.

Shiamak Davar, Vidya Balan

At the Press Conference held on August 9, 2018, Brand Ambassador and Jury Member, Ms Vidya Balan said, “It is always a pleasure and honour to be part of a cinematic platform that encourages film-makers. The Malta India Film Festival brings forth not only a unique opportunity for talent to come together but also the beautiful and magical country of Malta. With the support of the Government of Malta and backing of Streamcast Studios, I am sure this is only the beginning of a new dimension for the Indian film industry”

Vidya Balan

Honourable Minister of Tourism, Malta, Mr Konrad Mizzi added, “We are thrilled that Streamcast Studios has initiated this exciting platform of the Malta India Film Festival. Both, Malta and India, have a lot of commonality including their love for Food, Fireworks and Films. Malta has been a partner to many iconic Hollywood films and we are thrilled that ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ has paved the path for Indian blockbuster cinema in Malta and this Festival is going to further solidify it.  From our end, we are committed to providing every possible support and facility that we can to make Malta a preferred destination for the magical and musical cinema of India’

Shiamak Davar, Nimish Pandya, Deepak Kesarkar, Vidya Balan, Konrad Mizzi, Engelbert Grech, Vijay Krishna Acharya

Mr Vijay Krishna Acharya, Jury Member echoed Minister Mizzi’s thoughts, “Malta holds a very special place in my heart, both as a filming location and as a gorgeous country with truly wonderful people. I am extremely happy to be a part of the first Malta India Film Festival and I look forward to a greater cultural exchange between our two countries.”

Vidya Balan

Mr Engelbert Grech, Director of Malta India Film Festival shared his vision, “The Malta India Film Festival will be awarding a total prize of Euros 200,000 to the winners towards their next film production. This is to ensure that independent & small sized production houses not only have a platform to showcase their work but also have a solid impetus to continue weaving their magic on the big screen. This is truly the beginning of a glorious new path for Indian and Maltese cinema”

Photograph : Ramakant Munde

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