Żejtune, new film by Alex Camilleri, to be premiered at Gothenburg Film Festival
The feature film will be released in Malta in the Spring
Żejtune, a new feature film by Maltese filmmaker Alex Camilleri, director of the critically acclaimed film Luzzu, has been selected for international competition at the Gothenburg Film Festival. It will have its world premiere there on January 29 during the festival’s forty-ninth edition.
The film will compete alongside productions from around the world and audiences will be invited to vote for the best international film.
Founded in 1979, the Gothenburg Film Festival is the largest film festival in Scandinavia and one of the world’s most significant audience-driven festivals. In 2025 alone, it attracted over 270,000 visits, showcasing global cinema and emerging talent to both industry professionals and the public.
Among a long list of established guests attending this year’s festival are two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund, acclaimed European filmmaker Agnieszka Holland and actress Roomi Rapace.
Żejtune tells the story of Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman ready to leave Malta behind. The death of her estranged mother offers her a way out, through the inheritance of three pieces of land she intends to sell.
As she embarks on a journey to claim her inheritance, Mar meets Nenu, portrayed by Nenu Borg (a veteran għana singer making his screen debut at the age of 82), whose vibrant folk music draws her into the colourful traditions of an island she is desperate to escape.
Commenting on the film’s selection, director Alex Camilleri said: “Żejtune is a film meant to be enjoyed loud, on a big screen, and above all: together. The spirit of collective encounter is why Gothenburg is the perfect launchpad for our film — a rare major festival where the audience is at the heart of the experience.”
The film was produced by Oliver Mallia of Pellikola, Ramin Bahrani of Noruz Films and Alex Camilleri of Solari Productions, with co-producers Fred Burle and Sol Bondy of 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.
Alongside Michela Farrugia and Nenu Borg, the film features a wide range of local cast members, including the screen debut of Maltese singer-songwriter Michael Azzopardi in the role of Anġlu, and veteran Maltese actress Frida Cauchi as Mar’s aunt, Annette.
Producer Oliver Mallia said: “It is always exciting to launch a film and presenting Żejtune at a prestigious event like the Gothenburg Film Festival is a great start to the film’s journey on the big screen and a testament to the collective effort, dedication and belief of everyone involved in the project.”
The film will be released in cinema theatres in Malta in the Spring, with a release date to be announced in early February.