The ninth edition of the European Film Festival kicks off on March 3 with an innovative touch - the screening of the remastered Maltese film Gagga (the cage), directed by the renowned Mario Azzopardi when he was a student, way back in the 1970s.
Organised by the European Union Commission Representation in Malta, in collaboration with the embassies of the EU member states, the festival falls within the context of the EU's 50th anniversary. Other activities should be announced shortly.
Its main highlight, the full-length feature film in Maltese, with English subtitles, is based on Frans Sammut's novel Il-Gagga, depicting Malta just before Independence. It has been transferred to digital format and enhanced by Studio 7 Productions. Even though Gagga was produced by university students in 1971, the socio-political film remains topical and influential in today's world, said the head of the EC Representation in Malta, Joanna Drake, describing it as one of Malta's first "cinematographic masterpieces".
It involved a long list of talent, and the original actors have been invited to attend the première, while Mr Azzopardi himself will be present on the night.
He was only 21 when he directed Gagga. Dr Drake expressed her appreciation of the fact that, the now established and fully-fledged Canadian director, who has a wealth of works under his belt, has agreed to "expose" his work from the early days. Since then, Mr Azzopardi has directed over 300 hours of prime-time American TV for renowned production houses.
"He is an example that you can make it if you want to and if you get your act together, using the available avenues," Dr Drake said, adding that his presence was a message of encouragement to film producing in Malta.
In fact, another innovation at the 2007 festival is an evening of Maltese short movies that have been produced recently, followed by a discussion on how the EU can help catalyse a film production industry in Malta.
The EU can help Maltese film production to grow, Dr Drake maintained. The EU's new Media 2007 programme would be providing a €755 million boost to Europe's film industry over the next seven years - which Malta could tap into.
The festival's ninth edition is featuring a record number of films - from 21 states, including Malta for the first time - each one offering a taste of how the people in the country they were produced live and think, with a historical touch.
Nineteen of the films are being presented at the Eden Cinemas, in St George's Bay, and two at the Citadel Theatre, in Victoria, Gozo.
The festival is also including a film for children - Two Brothers - to be screened during school hours in collaboration with KRS Film Distributors Ltd. It is being followed by a session on film appreciation, animated by MA graduate students from the University of Malta, to introduce the 300 schoolchildren to the appreciation of the art and science of cinematography at an early age.
As always, the festival also raises funds for a good cause - the ninth edition being the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which provides information, advice and support to victims. Patrons are invited to contribute Lm1 in aid of those children who are affected by the condition and destined to a short lifespan.
Souvenir booklets are available from the EC Representation Office, in Ta' Xbiex.