Winners of the 2021 Malta Youth Film Festival announced

The winners of the Malta Youth Film Festival for 2021 were announced during an award ceremony on Friday. 12 films were nominated and eight awards were given for this year’s festival.

The Malta Youth Film Festival is organised by Aġenzija Żgħazagħ in collaboration with the Malta Film Commission. The festival encourages individuals or groups of film producers, between the ages of 16 and 30, to express themselves through film production and complement the efforts of academic institutions in their studies on films and the media.

The winners of this year’s festival are: Award for best story telling quality and best picture – Bruce Micallef Eynaud; Award for best direction – Jeremy Vella; Most original concept – Amy Azzopardi; Best acting – Anthony Mizzi; Audience engagement award – Christabelle Rapa; Public choice award – Eric Montebello; and Best cinematography – Clive Brincat.

Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli, together with Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations Clifton

Grima were present at the ceremony.

Farrugia Portelli described film production as another area that is offering new challenges and horizons for our young people who would certainly deserve any encouragement when embarking on such an adventure.

“Aġenzija Żgħazagħ together with the Malta Film Foundation deserve all the praise and encouragement for this initiative,” Farrugia Portelli said.

She remarked that although the Malta Film Commission was set up in 2000, Malta’s history as a destination for film production dates back more than 90 years. The film production industry is one that is yielding millions for Malta. It is also creating a substantial number of new job opportunities, she said.

Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima said that over the years this festival has continued to grow and the participation of young people has increased.

“Such initiatives provide spaces where young people can develop their skills and above all promote the person’s full development,” Grima said.