We’re about to witness perhaps a ‘one of a kind’ in Maltese film-making with the arrival on screen of ‘Kont Diġa’ (‘I was, already’), a full-feature Maltese film with Maltese film-makers and a near totally Maltese cast. The film, shot in Maltese but showing with subtitles for non-Maltese speakers, premieres at St James Cavalier, 2 October.

The islands have long been recognised as a useful place to shoot films. Malta has seen the making of many international greats, and for good reason as it has excellent facilities. The Mediterranean Film Studios is renowned for its SFX water tank facilities, and Malta’s historic landmarks have served as locations for all manner of films from Midnight Express (1978) to Gladiator (2000) and the Da Vinci Code (2006).

Now, Malta is seeing its own film industry burgeoning, with Kont Diġa taking Malta down another avenue in its love affair with all things film. Director, Mark Dingli explains where Kont Diġa fits in the story of Maltese film-making: “This film is more comparable to older Maltese features than recent ones. Maybe what’s unique to it is that it’s not completely art house, neither is it a commercial popcorn flick. It has a clear narrative story, simple but present unlike the descriptive only nature of some early Maltese films. It’s easy to follow and everyone can relate to it in some way or another. But it’s definitely not a commercial film.

The Kont Diġa Storyline
The film’s storyline is one many returned Maltese migrants will no doubt associate with: it’s about a young free-spirited artist, Karl, who returns to his home island Malta after a long time away. It covers his personal journey discovering his roots. Reliving old habits with friends and memories from his childhood, this journey leads him to re-visit his past with his ex-girlfriend, and then with a new friend, Anna, through whom he visits his old home in Gozo, now a neglected house full of memories. Anna is his springboard for self reflection and becomes his reason for trying to start life again in Malta; a place he’s familiar with but is now seeing through different eyes.

The film-makers
‘Kont Diġa’ was directed by Mark Dingli and produced by Sascha Sammut using their own original screenplay. The film was independently funded and produced. It was made possible through international collaboration with young film-makers from the Netherlands, where Mark Dingli studied film for many years. The original soundtrack was written by Xavier Lopez from France and Marc Neyen from Germany. The film uses a nearly all-Maltese cast, with Karl Consiglio, Annabelle Galea and Marie Claire Camilleri taking the lead parts.

Premiere & Screenings
Kont Diġa was filmed in Malta last summer is now to premiere locally at St James Cavalier, 2 October, with further screenings on 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 October. For more information, see www.kontdiga.com. For booking contact St James Cavalier on +356 21232166 or send an email on info@sjcav.org.

Local film enthusiasts Joyce Grech and Tony Parnis have been working hard to put Malta on the map on the international short film circuit. After producing the Malta International TV Short Film Festival on TVM, they are now bringing the Manhattan Short Film Festival to the islands. The event is being sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America in Malta and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

This is a very special international film festival since it brings together audiences from all over the world for one week through an exhibition of the ten, most compelling short films submitted each year. The festival, now in its 12th edition, is particular since it is the audiences themselves who are the judges. This means that up-and-coming film-makers face the greatest test of all: to be judged in cinemas by a global audience!

Now a Maltese audience will be able to enjoy top quality short films on show from around the world, and voice their opinion by casting their votes for the best film of the festival. Because for the first time, Valletta will be joining the over 150 cities participating in the 2009 Manhattan Short (20-27 September) from across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. From 2010, the organisers are hoping to link up with venues in Africa – and in 2011, places as far away as ice stations in Antarctica!

All in all, the event is too good an opportunity to be missed if you like a good evening out at the movies!

When & Where in Malta
Local cinema-goers can attend one of the two nights available: Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September at 7.30pm at the cinema, St James Centre of Creativity, Valletta. The films will be repeated on each of the nights, giving a larger amount of the people the chance to participate in this international cinematic event.

Admission
The great news is that entrance is free of charge – to attend, you just need to reserve your seats by sending an e-mail: info@maltashortfilmfest.com or by calling 99425594, saying which night you’d like to go.

For more information on the Manhattan Short Film Festival, see the festival’s website

The Manhattan Short Film Festival is being made possible in Malta thanks to the support and sponsorship of:

     

Photo: Still from ‘Miente’, an entry from Spain. Director: Isabel De Ocampo

Kinemastik was founded in 2006 by a group of people from across Europe who share a great passion for film and theatre. Their aim is to satisfy the need for alternative, or as they call it, fringe film on the Maltese islands, while creating ‘an environment in which art and culture may flourish outside of the mainstream’.

Throughout the year, Kinemastik offers a diverse cultural programme. Every week, they hold their very popular film nights in various fringe locations around Malta including No 68 Art Gallery and MCA (Malta Contemporary Art gallery). They collaborate also with international festivals, filmmakers, musicians and artists to organise music nights, workshops and a much-needed space for the sharing and fusion of ideas.

Their greatest achievement every year is their International Film Festival (entry applications are available on the Kinemastik website). The finale of this festival is held at Gnien il-Gardjola, within the Valletta bastions overlooking the grand harbour; a perfect location for this open-air cinema bonanza.

Also, if you fancy something that bit different this Saturday, 30 May, Kinemastik is holding ‘The Exploding Cinema’ – a night of short films, followed by a debut concert of Bark Bark Disco and more music by Djs Bob and Vinc. Doors open at 9pm and entrance is EUR7, at the Ospizio Bastions in Floriana. More information can be found on Facebook.

See www.kinemastik.org for more information about their highly-acclaimed summer film festival and other events.