Malta, The Land of Stories: Embracing Legacy at the Mediterrane Film Festival 2025
- Temple Magazine
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Deemed a “spectacular success” by leading publications, from the 21st–29th of June, the festival unfolded across grand venues and open-air spaces across the island, casting Malta once again as not just a location, but a protagonist in the world of cinema.
For nine days, the island pulsed with cinematic energy. The red carpets rolled out. The screens lit up. And stars, both on-screen and behind the camera, arrived to honour the past, explore the future, and bask in the island’s golden light. Here at Temple Magazine we were lucky enough to join the celebration of cinema in Malta and beyond.
A Century of Cinema: A New Mediterranean Chapter
The 2025 edition held particular resonance as it marked the 100th anniversary of cinema, a milestone evident throughout the festival’s programming. This was not just a retrospective peek at the past: it was a bold call for what comes next. With panels and masterclasses on sustainability, diversity, and the integration of AI in film preservation, the Mediterrane Film Festival made it clear that Malta’s cinematic journey is ready to flourish.
From blockbusters like Gladiator I & II and Jurassic World, to award-winning Maltese productions like Ciao Ciao and The Theft of the Caravaggio, the island’s influence on international film has never been more visible, or more celebrated.
All Eyes on Malta at the Mediterrane Film Festival
This year, global media turned their lens toward Malta with rare unanimity. The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Screen Daily, and Cineuropa all sang the same tune: Malta is not just a Mediterranean jewel, it is a full-service film powerhouse.
As Malta Daily put it, the closing gala was “a perfect showcase of Malta’s cinematic transformation.” With fireworks, live arias, and speeches from international stars, the Golden Bee Awards brought the week to a dazzling crescendo.
Russell Crowe, whose legendary portrayal of Maximus etched Malta into cinema history, returned to accept the Malta Film Legend Award, speaking movingly about the island’s place in his life. Other honourees included Jeremy Thomas, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dir. Polly Steele, whose film Four Letters of Love earned the People’s Choice Award.
Legacy and Leadership
Central to the festival’s success is the strategic vision of Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech. Lauded by The Hollywood Reporter for his hands-on leadership, Grech has championed a data-driven approach to welcoming productions, earning the trust of studios like Netflix, Paramount, and HBO.
The impact is measurable: in 2023, film production contributed to 18% of Malta’s overall economic growth. Today, Malta is not just attracting productions; it’s also building sustainable careers for local talent and crew.
As Grech puts it, “No door is closed. No request is too much.” It’s a mantra echoed by producers and directors who return to Malta again and again, drawn by its seamless logistics, rich history, and passionate creative community.
Malta, The Living Set
What sets Malta apart is not just location, but poetry. The island’s honeyed stone, narrow streets, and luminous coastlines are cinematic by nature, shifting effortlessly between ancient Jerusalem, Renaissance Rome, or a futuristic dystopia. But it’s also its own story: a place of narrative, artistic evolution, and authentic Mediterranean soul.
As Cineuropa observed, the Mediterrane Film Festival isn’t just about screening films; it’s about shaping identity. It is a statement that small nations can lead with ambition and that heritage and innovation are not opposites but partners.
The Next Act
For the luxury-minded, story-driven audience Temple speaks to, the Mediterrane Film Festival is more than an event; it is an invitation. To experience Malta not just as a destination, but as a living narrative. To walk through a city where every stone has been set. To witness a country crafting its legacy on-screen and behind the scenes.
As the curtain fell on this year’s edition, one thing was clear: in the Mediterranean’s unfolding film chapter, Malta is no longer in the margins; it’s on the big screen.