Maltese film Żejtune selected for Tribeca festival in New York
The screening on June 6 will mark its US debut
Maltese feature film Żejtune has been selected to feature at this year’s edition of the Tribeca Festival in New York, where it will compete in the festival’s international competition.
The film by Maltese filmmaker Alex Camilleri will show on June 6, with further screenings planned for the following day and on June 11.
The festival appearance marks the film’s US debut following its world premiere at the Göteborg Film Festival earlier this year.
The annual festival in New York was co-founded by legendary actor Robert De Niro in the aftermath of the September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, to provide a boost to New York’s cultural scene.
It has built a reputation for showcasing bold and distinct works from emerging and established artists.
Żejtune premiered in Malta last month and is currently being screened in cinemas across the country.
It has since been sold to 14 countries.
In a statement announcing the New York screening, the team behind the feature said it had been ranked the top choice among audiences at Valletta’s Embassy Cinemas and was the second most-watched film at Eden Cinemas in St Julian’s and Gozo’s Citadel Cinema.
The film tells the story of Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman who plans to leave Malta by selling three pieces of land she inherits upon the death of her estranged mother.
As she embarks on a journey to claim her inheritance, Mar meets Nenu, portrayed by Nenu Borg, whose vibrant folk music reconnects her with the traditions of her country.
Borg is a real-life veteran għana singer, whose appearance in the film marked his screen debut at the age of 82.
The film also features singer-songwriter Michael Azzopardi and well-known actress Frida Cauchi.
The film was produced by Oliver Mallia (Pellikola), Ramin Bahrani (Noruz Films) and Alex Camilleri (Solari Productions), with co-producers Fred Burle and Sol Bondy (One Two Films), alongside Rebecca Anastasi.
It was made in co-production with ZDF Das kleine Fernsehspiel and in association with arte, Films Boutique and Nizza Films.
The film was made with the financial support of the Malta Film Commission, Arts Council Malta, the Doha Film Institute and the Gozo Ministry.