The Mediterrane Movie Pageant is making a grand return to Malta for its third edition, showcasing an impressive lineup of more than 40 films hailing from over 20 countries. Scheduled to take place from June 21-29 in the capital city of Valletta, this festival will feature an exciting array of programming, including its Competition, Out of Competition, and Mare Nostrum sections, each promising unique cinematic experiences for attendees.

The Competition lineup includes notable films such as Uberto Pasolini’s The Return, featuring acclaimed actors Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Other highlights include Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s much-anticipated directorial debut Hot Milk, the Italian film For the Love of a Girl (Per amore di una donna) directed by Guido Chiesa, Harvest from director Athina Rachel Tsangari, and the Maltese film The Theft of the Caravaggio by local director Joshua Cassar Gaspar.

The Out of Competition category will feature special screenings including Ira Sachs’ Peter Hujar’s Day, starring Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, along with the Malta-set erotic thriller Compulsion directed by Neil Marshall. Additionally, the lineup includes 4 Letters of Love featuring a star-studded cast with Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gabriel Byrne, as well as Time Travel is Dangerous, narrated by the legendary Stephen Fry.

This year’s festival will also highlight a special sidebar section in collaboration with FilmItalia, celebrating the creativity of new Italian women filmmakers. This segment will feature films such as Diva Futura, Gloria!, and Love and Glory – The Young Deledda, showcasing the talents and narratives of female directors in the film industry.

The Mare Nostrum section, which translates to “Our Sea,” will return with a compelling selection of films that delve into the pressing issues of the climate crisis and environmental themes. Among the featured titles are Lowland Children, How Deep is Your Love, and Transamazonia, each uniquely exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment.

The festival will also welcome esteemed jury members including Elli Griff, Rick Carter, and Catherine Hardwicke, who will be participating in insightful masterclasses alongside notable industry figures such as Joe Carnahan, Jeremy Thomas, and Glenn Gainor, who is the head of physical production at Amazon Original Films.

On June 29, the festival will culminate with the prestigious Golden Bee Awards, celebrating a century of cinema in Malta. This grand event will take place at the historic Fort Manoel, a stunning 18th-century venue. The festival is spearheaded by the new creative team, including Festival Director Ray Calleja and Festival Curator Mark Adams, with this year’s theme being “We Are Film.”

For a complete overview of the film program, please see the details below:

MAIN COMPETITION

The Return (dir. Uberto Pasolini)
Uberto Pasolini’s The Return brings together the acclaimed co-stars of The English Patient, featuring Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes and Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche. This film presents a deeply authentic and psychologically complex adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. After being away for two decades, Odysseus (played by Fiennes) washes ashore on the island of Ithaca, appearing haggard and unrecognizable. The king has returned from the Trojan War, but everything has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife, Penelope (Binoche), is now a prisoner in her own home, besieged by suitors who are vying for her hand and plotting the demise of Telemachus, the son he never knew. Haunted by the scars of war, Odysseus must reclaim his strength to recover all that he has lost.

Hot Milk (dir. Rebecca Lenkiewicz)
Adapted from the celebrated novel by Deborah Levy, this marks the directorial debut of Rebecca Lenkiewicz. The film follows Sofia and her ailing mother, Rose, as they embark on a journey to the Spanish coastal town of Almería. They seek the help of Dr. Gómez, a mysterious healer who may hold the key to Rose’s enigmatic illness. As long-standing tensions simmer between them, Sofia finds herself irresistibly drawn to the magnetic and free-spirited Ingrid, complicating their relationship further.

For the Love of a Girl (Per amore di una donna) (dir. Guido Chiesa)
This film, written and directed by Guido Chiesa, introduces a powerful and independent woman who conceals a painful past, exploring her journey of self-discovery and resilience against the backdrop of societal expectations.

Harvest (dir. Athina Rachel Tsangari)
In this striking adaptation of Jim Crace’s acclaimed novel, Athina Rachel Tsangari crafts a narrative centered around a picturesque rural community facing a looming threat from outsiders. Over seven hallucinatory days, a nameless village, in an undefined time and place, faces destruction. The townsman-turned-farmer Walter Thirsk and the befuddled lord of the manor, Charles Kent, are childhood friends about to confront the harsh realities of modernity that threaten their existence.

The Theft of the Caravaggio (dir. Joshua Cassar Gaspar)
In a gripping tale, Orpheus awakens to discover that a priceless Caravaggio painting has been stolen from St. John’s Cathedral in Valletta while under his watch. With the city in turmoil, a detective is dispatched from Washington to assist the local police in solving this high-profile case.

Where The Wind Comes From (dir. Amel Guellaty)
Amel Guellaty’s long-awaited feature debut is a visually stunning and emotionally charged film. The Tunisian-born director, who previously directed the critically acclaimed short Black Mamba, follows the lives of rebellious 19-year-old Alyssa and shy 23-year-old Mehdi, both longing to escape their harsh realities. When they discover a contest offering an opportunity for escape, they embark on a thrilling road trip to southern Tunisia, navigating numerous obstacles along the way.

Fiume o Morte! (dir. Igor Bezinovic)
Winner of the prestigious IFFR 2025 Tiger Award, this meta-documentary by director Igor Bezinović reconstructs a bizarre episode in the history of Rijeka, when it was under the nationalist occupation of the Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. On September 12, 1919, a troop of around 300 soldiers, led by the flamboyant poet, seized the port city of Fiume, now Rijeka, with the aim of annexing it to Italy. Over a span of 16 months, his official photography team captured over 10,000 images, documenting what is considered one of the most bizarre militant sieges in history. A century later, filmmaker Igor Bezinović, along with 300 residents, orchestrates a direct-action historical lesson that reflects on the siege and its modern implications.

The Wound (dir. Seloua El Gouni)
This compelling story revolves around Leila, a young Moroccan woman who has just entered the workforce, striving to pursue her passions and ambitions while grappling with the societal constraints imposed on women under the guise of tradition and cultural norms. The film has garnered recognition, winning the award for Best Debut Feature Film at the Athens International Art Film Festival in Greece.

Reflection in a Dead Diamond (dir. Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani)
In this gripping narrative, John D, a septuagenarian residing in a luxurious hotel on the French Riviera, becomes captivated by his female neighbor who reminds him of the exhilarating days spent there during the 1960s, when he was a spy navigating a world filled with promise. One day, his neighbor mysteriously disappears, prompting John to confront his demons: are his former adversaries returning to disrupt his idyllic existence?

8 (dir. Julio Medem)
This film intricately weaves the lives of Octavio and Adela, who share the same birthday, April 14th, 1931. Over the next eight decades, their fates intertwine through intense encounters and misunderstandings across eight episodes. It is a passionate love story between a brave and determined woman and a man grappling with his own contradictions. Together, they confront the legacies of their families, who stand on opposing sides of a nation gradually heading toward Civil War, with the broader historical context of Spain and Europe providing a rich backdrop.

OUT OF COMPETITION

Peter Hujar’s Day (dir. Ira Sachs)
This film is based on a richly cinematic interpretation of a conversation recorded in 1974 between photographer Peter Hujar and writer Linda Rosenkrantz. Starring Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, the film reimagines their discussion over a single 24-hour period in the life of Hujar, a brilliant and famously uncompromising artist who played a pivotal role in New York’s legendary cultural scene during the 1970s and 1980s.

Compulsion (dir. Neil Marshall)
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Malta, this film explores the intense relationship between two women as they become embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse, leading to a series of horrifying murders that unfold in a thrilling narrative.

4 Letters of Love (dir. Polly Steele)
In this heartfelt adaptation of Niall Williams’ bestselling novel, featuring a stellar cast including Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gabriel Byrne, the story revolves around Nicholas (played by Fionn O’Shea) and Isabel (portrayed by Ann Skelly), who are clearly meant for each other. However, fate pulls them apart, leading them on individual journeys of heartache and lost love, before destiny contrives to intertwine their lives once more in a miraculous reunion.

Time Travel is Dangerous
In this comedic adventure, best friends Ruth and Megan run a vintage shop in Muswell Hill. Their lives take a fantastical turn when they stumble upon a time machine, leading them to embark on a series of short trips into the past to ‘borrow’ unique items for sale in the present. Their intentions are harmless—seeking the perfect vintage lamp—yet they must navigate the treacherous time-space vortex known as the Unreason. The film features an all-star British comedy cast, including Johnny Vegas, Jane Horrocks, Sophie Thompson, Mark Heap, Brian Bovell, Tony Maier, Guy Henry, and Tom Lenk, and is narrated by the iconic Stephen Fry.

The Extraordinary Miss Flower (dir. Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard)
This captivating film brings to life the remarkable story of Geraldine Flower and the discovery of a suitcase filled with passionate letters of love sent to her during the 1960s and 1970s. These heartfelt correspondences inspired the acclaimed Icelandic singer/songwriter Emilíana Torrini to return to the studio and record a complete album of new songs. The film blends elements of cinema, theatre, and a fever dream, featuring a series of uniquely designed performances by Emilíana and her band, interspersed with dramatic scenes and readings of the letters by notable actors and musicians such as Caroline Catz, Nick Cave, Alice Lowe, and Richard Ayoade.

The Wedding Banquet (dir. Andrew Ahn)
More than just a remake of the beloved 1993 hit film, The Wedding Banquet is a joyful and contemporary reimagining of a classic comedy of errors. It explores a family navigating cultural identity, queerness, and familial expectations as they live, love, fight, and reconcile. Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend Chris and running out of time, Min proposes a green-card marriage with their lesbian friend Angela in exchange for her partner Lee’s expensive IVF treatments. However, their plans are thrown into chaos when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an extravagant Korean wedding banquet. This film features a pitch-perfect multigenerational cast, including the talented Lily Gladstone, and delivers a heartwarming reminder that family means learning to both accept and forgive one another.

Diva Futura (dir. Giulia Louise Steigerwalt)
Set in the 1980s and 1990s, this film tells the story of Riccardo Schicchi’s agency, Diva Futura, which transformed free love into the world of pornography, elevating stars like Ilona Staller and Moana Pozzi. Their rise to fame had significant implications, including Cicciolina’s election and Pozzi’s run for mayor, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of sexual politics in Italy.

Gloria! (dir. Margherita Vicario)
In this inspiring musical film by singer-songwriter Margherita Vicario, a group of confined young women in 18th century Venice channel their musical talents to break free from their constraints. Gloria! is a soaring, feel-good musical reimagining of history, following the story of Teresa, a gifted musician whose talents remain unrecognized. With a visit from the Pope on the horizon, Teresa helps orchestrate a musical rebellion, transcending time to challenge the antiquated regime by inventing a new genre of music: pop.

Love and Glory – The Young Deledda (L’amore e la gloria – La giovane Deledda) (dir. Maria Grazia Perria)
This narrative feature directorial debut by Maria Grazia Perria is a poignant and insightful biopic that explores the formative years and creative struggles of Sardinian novelist Grazia Deledda, the first Italian woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. The film portrays her journey with tremendous passion through the performance of Marisa Serra.

The Ballad of Wallis Island (dir. James Griffiths)
This delightful film follows Charles (played by Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives in isolation on a remote island. He dreams of reuniting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (portrayed by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan), for a special performance. When the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation, unresolved tensions resurface as Charles desperately attempts to salvage his dream gig.

This City is a Battlefield (Perang Kota) (dir. Mouly Surya)
In this exquisite period thriller, Isa, a quiet school teacher working for the resistance, is tasked with carrying out an assassination with the assistance of Hazil, a charming rebel who finds himself falling for Isa’s wife, Fatimah. The film seamlessly marries sensual romantic drama with gripping action, vividly recreating life in Jakarta under colonial occupation, revealing its seductive yet brutal realities.

A Few Hero (dir. Piotr Winiewicz)
Following the mysterious death of a local factory worker, acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog travels to Getunkirchenburg to investigate the perplexing circumstances surrounding the incident. However, Herzog, who serves as the narrator, is not who he appears to be, and the film unfolds in unexpected ways. A Few Hero is an innovative adaptation of a script crafted by AI, trained on Herzog’s extensive body of work. Opening the prestigious 2024 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the documentary features Vicky Krieps and Stephen Fry, intertwining the narrative with real interviews from artists, philosophers, and scientists who ponder originality, authenticity, mortality, and the essence of the soul in the age of AI.

MARE NOSTRUM

How Deep is Your Love (dir. Eleanor Mortimer)
In this thought-provoking documentary, scientists delve into the mysterious depths of the ocean to discover and catalog previously unidentified species. As they uncover mesmerizing creatures and ecosystems flourishing in the darkness, a pressing threat looms: the potential for deep-sea mining in this pristine wilderness. Directed by Eleanor Mortimer, the film masterfully intertwines wonder with urgency, prompting viewers to reflect on the balance between resource exploitation and the intrinsic value of our natural ecosystems. As we journey through this breathtaking realm, we are left to ponder—how deep is our love for the ocean?

Transamazonia (dir. Pia Marais)
Set against the eerie tranquility of the lush Amazon rainforest, the film tells the story of a young girl, Rebecca, who is rescued by a local Indigenous tribe after surviving a plane crash. Years later, Rebecca (played by Helena Zengel) has become something of a local celebrity, as her father, an American missionary, casts her as a faith healer capable of miracles. Just as Rebecca begins to assert her independence and question her father’s beliefs, a new crisis arises when illegal loggers threaten the land, forcing her to confront emotional, familial, and racial reckonings. Director Pia Marais crafts a mesmerizing narrative, beautifully photographed, that serves as both a moral tale and a unique coming-of-age story.

Black Butterflies (dir. David Baute)
This beautifully animated film narrates the individual stories of Tanit, Valeria, and Shaila, three women from diverse parts of the world who confront a shared threat: climate change. Each woman faces the possibility of losing everything due to the adverse effects of global warming, ultimately being forced to migrate to survive. The film poignantly illustrates the human impact of environmental degradation and the resilience of women in the face of such challenges.

Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature (dir. Léo Favier)
This compelling documentary explores the life and impactful works of renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, celebrated for creating timeless classics such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. The film focuses on Miyazaki’s passion for animation and his steadfast advocacy for the natural world, offering insights into his creative process and the environmental themes that permeate his work.

Only on Earth (dir. Robin Petré)
In the wildfire-prone region of southern Galicia, Spain, wild horses have roamed the mountainous terrain for centuries, playing a crucial role in fire prevention by keeping flammable undergrowth in check. However, their populations are dwindling. Petré’s poignant film takes viewers on an immersive and visually stunning journey through the hottest summer on record, as relentless forest fires rage for days. Only on Earth addresses the fragile balance of our natural world and the intricate relationship between humans and animals in the face of climate change.

Lowland Children (dir. Sandra Winther)
This poignant film follows the story of the last two children and their uncle on Louisiana’s once-thriving Isle de Jean Charles, a strikingly beautiful ancestral home now being consumed by the ocean. As part of a community designated as America’s first climate refugees, they confront an uncertain future as the U.S. government makes an unprecedented effort to resettle their entire community before the island disappears. Directed by Danish filmmaker Sandra Winther and executive produced by Darren Aronofsky, this film sheds light on the human cost of climate change and the resilience of those affected.