At the opening of Malta Film Week in Strasbourg, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici announced that Malta would join Eurimages, the Council of Europe’s cultural support fund for independent film.
The action, according to Minister Bonnici, is “a clear and serious commitment that Malta is ready to be a creative partner at the heart of European cinema” and marks a significant turning point in the country’s cultural policy. Malta, which is commemorating a century of cinematic history, can act as “a bridge for various nations in the field of global storytelling,” he continued.
Eurimages provides financial assistance and co-production services for independent animated films, documentaries, and feature films. It is anticipated that Malta’s accession will improve Malta’s standing in the European audiovisual industry and open up new doors for regional filmmakers.
Malta Film Week, which takes place at the historic Cosmos Cinema, features five Maltese films from different generations and genres. An exhibition honoring Cecil Satariano, a pioneer of Maltese auteur film, is also part of the event. “One of the fathers of Mediterranean cinema,” according to Minister Bonnici, is Satariano.
