Film has long been the medium of the people - a form of entertainment that breaks the barriers of class, social status, gender, race or religion to bridge society's gaps and bring us closer together. And it's for that very reason that the local EU Representation Office has decided to continue its annual European Film Festival for the 10th year running, launching on April 12. The festival is working in conjunction with the St James Cavalier as the centre was appointed as the national coordinating body for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
"This year the whole of the EU is celebrating intercultural dialogue and we thought that we would use our flagship cultural activity, this film festival, to hone in on those ideologies and celebrate them through film," explained Joanna Drake, the office's head of representation.
"As the EU Representation office we are so often concerned with daily life and the issues that affect it, but through this film festival we are given opportunity to reach out to people in a different way. The message we want to drive home is that it's time to celebrate and relish cultural diversity and everything that it gives us.
"I think that in recent years cultural diversity has been overlooked - we've been concentrating on the value of the EU and its 50th anniversary but this year the whole Union has decided not to take it for granted any longer; we are making sure to show our appreciation for it. Cultural diversity is one of the fundamentals behind the EU and we as a nation should be very proud of that."
But this year the festival will even go beyond the parameters of the EU as films will be shown from further afield, showcasing work from all five continents.
"When we made the request for films this year we were careful not to limit ourselves - as a result we have ended up with a delightful selection of movies from the 22 member states, as well as one each from Australia, China, Egypt and the United States.
"We want to stress the message that films are not a mere method of entertainment but have a lot to teach us about the world we live in. Our choices have been quite particular as we wanted each film to portray the reality of their country. We asked for films that would be of value to our audiences and which would enlighten them about how different countries and cultures approach their lives, how they deal with social situations, how they cope with issues such as immigration and how they've learnt from (or struggled with) cultural diversity."
The representation has striven to ensure that the festival can also work as a platform for budding Maltese film-makers can showcase their work. This year's will launch with Engelbert Grech's film Heroes in the Sky (by invitation only) which is a 2007 documentary about the young pilots sent to defend Malta during World War II.
"We believe the local film industry has a lot of potential and hope to encourage local movie makers to persist with their work. Apart from Mr Grech's film on the opening night of the festival, a selection of short, recently produced Maltese films will be shown on April 24.
"There is a lot of scope for the EU to help the local film industry, something we know that those involved are craving. We are pleased that a selection of foreign directors (one each from Austria, Egypt and France) will be present at the screening of the Maltese films and will lead a discussion afterwards inviting the audience to discuss whether they feel films do help us to understand each other better.
"Following that, on April 26, a workshop is being held by Media Desk Malta to highlight what EU funding is available for audiovisual projects. We are pleased that foreign directors and producers will also be present here to relate their experiences and to detail how the EU has helped them overcome the hurdles of the film industry in each of their countries - whether it's resources or funding that were lacking."
Aside from offering guidance to those in the industry, the film festival will also be doing its best to encourage children to develop a love for movies.
"Every parent will tell you that a good film will keep their kids occupied for hours - but do children really know and understand what they are watching? For that reason we have decided to include a show specifically for schoolchildren. The film, Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful, takes a palatable look at the suffering and cruelty of World War II through the eyes of a child.
"Following the viewings, we'll be encouraging the children to engage in discussions with some of the St James Cavalier animators who will be helping to develop their thoughts about what they have seen. At the same time it will give them the opportunity to be introduced to the appreciation of the art and science of cinematography from an early age."
As in previous editions, the festival has joined up with a philanthropic organisation to raise money for charity.
"There are no ticket prices for the viewings but we do encourage people to book and ask them to give a donation of €3 at the door. This year funds raised will be going to The Daniel Delicata Memorial Association whose mission is the purchase, donation and/or implementation of items and services of entertainment, activity and comfort of sick children."
• The festival runs between Saturday and May 8 - all films in Malta will be shown at St James Cavalier, Valletta and shows start at 8.30 p.m. Films in Gozo will be shown at Citadel Theatre, Victoria, with shows starting at 7 p.m.
The films
While it would be impossible to showcase all of the 24 films on offer, here is our pick of some of the ones to look out for
L'Enfant Endormi (The Sleeping Child), 2004, Belgium
Directed by Yasmine Kassari this film (set in Morocco) follows young bride Zeinab as she is left alone by her husband after he joins his countrymen to work clandestinely in Europe. Soon she discovers she is pregnant and, not wanting her baby to be born before her husband's return, she prolongs her pregnancy. However, her husband does not return.
This film has been a hit at previous film festivals, and was nominated for Best Belgian Film for the Joseph Plateaux Award in Ghent.
Rusevine (Ruins), 2004, Slovenia
The story follows charismatic theatre director and author Herman who is working on a new performance which is supposed to be his best yet. He invited all of his friends and colleagues from the past to participate.
Among others, this film won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the Slovene Film festival in Ljubljana.
Welcome Home, 2004, Austria
Two police officers are supposed to be deporting a black African back to Ghana. But when they arrive in Africa the balance of power between black and white is turned upside down. This deeply-black comedy, directed by Andreas Gruber, sees the while police officers being sent off on an absurd odyssey through a foreign land in which they are constantly confronted with their own prejudices.
This film secured a Best Director nomination for the Golden St George, Moscow International Film Festival.
Charlie Wilson's War, 2007, United States
Directed by Mike Nichols, this drama is based on Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.
Born in Germany, Mr Nichol's family fled to America in 1939. He has directed 16 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances.
Zozo, 2005, Sweden
Director Josef Fares moved from Lebanon to Sweden aged 10 and made his first short film just five years later. This film charts the life of Zozo who grows up in Beirut. In spite of raging civil war he leads a normal life moving between school and his friends. One day catastrophe srikes and Zozo is forced to cope with life on his own - his only way to survive is to try to make it to Sweden, a land completely unknown to him.
Among others, this film was awarded the Adult's Jury Award for Live-Action Feature Film or Video at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival.
"This year the whole of the EU is celebrating intercultural dialogue and we thought that we would use our flagship cultural activity, this film festival, to hone in on those ideologies and celebrate them through film," explained Joanna Drake, the office's head of representation.
"As the EU Representation office we are so often concerned with daily life and the issues that affect it, but through this film festival we are given opportunity to reach out to people in a different way. The message we want to drive home is that it's time to celebrate and relish cultural diversity and everything that it gives us.
"I think that in recent years cultural diversity has been overlooked - we've been concentrating on the value of the EU and its 50th anniversary but this year the whole Union has decided not to take it for granted any longer; we are making sure to show our appreciation for it. Cultural diversity is one of the fundamentals behind the EU and we as a nation should be very proud of that."
But this year the festival will even go beyond the parameters of the EU as films will be shown from further afield, showcasing work from all five continents.
"When we made the request for films this year we were careful not to limit ourselves - as a result we have ended up with a delightful selection of movies from the 22 member states, as well as one each from Australia, China, Egypt and the United States.
"We want to stress the message that films are not a mere method of entertainment but have a lot to teach us about the world we live in. Our choices have been quite particular as we wanted each film to portray the reality of their country. We asked for films that would be of value to our audiences and which would enlighten them about how different countries and cultures approach their lives, how they deal with social situations, how they cope with issues such as immigration and how they've learnt from (or struggled with) cultural diversity."
The representation has striven to ensure that the festival can also work as a platform for budding Maltese film-makers can showcase their work. This year's will launch with Engelbert Grech's film Heroes in the Sky (by invitation only) which is a 2007 documentary about the young pilots sent to defend Malta during World War II.
"We believe the local film industry has a lot of potential and hope to encourage local movie makers to persist with their work. Apart from Mr Grech's film on the opening night of the festival, a selection of short, recently produced Maltese films will be shown on April 24.
"There is a lot of scope for the EU to help the local film industry, something we know that those involved are craving. We are pleased that a selection of foreign directors (one each from Austria, Egypt and France) will be present at the screening of the Maltese films and will lead a discussion afterwards inviting the audience to discuss whether they feel films do help us to understand each other better.
"Following that, on April 26, a workshop is being held by Media Desk Malta to highlight what EU funding is available for audiovisual projects. We are pleased that foreign directors and producers will also be present here to relate their experiences and to detail how the EU has helped them overcome the hurdles of the film industry in each of their countries - whether it's resources or funding that were lacking."
Aside from offering guidance to those in the industry, the film festival will also be doing its best to encourage children to develop a love for movies.
"Every parent will tell you that a good film will keep their kids occupied for hours - but do children really know and understand what they are watching? For that reason we have decided to include a show specifically for schoolchildren. The film, Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful, takes a palatable look at the suffering and cruelty of World War II through the eyes of a child.
"Following the viewings, we'll be encouraging the children to engage in discussions with some of the St James Cavalier animators who will be helping to develop their thoughts about what they have seen. At the same time it will give them the opportunity to be introduced to the appreciation of the art and science of cinematography from an early age."
As in previous editions, the festival has joined up with a philanthropic organisation to raise money for charity.
"There are no ticket prices for the viewings but we do encourage people to book and ask them to give a donation of €3 at the door. This year funds raised will be going to The Daniel Delicata Memorial Association whose mission is the purchase, donation and/or implementation of items and services of entertainment, activity and comfort of sick children."
• The festival runs between Saturday and May 8 - all films in Malta will be shown at St James Cavalier, Valletta and shows start at 8.30 p.m. Films in Gozo will be shown at Citadel Theatre, Victoria, with shows starting at 7 p.m.
The films
While it would be impossible to showcase all of the 24 films on offer, here is our pick of some of the ones to look out for
L'Enfant Endormi (The Sleeping Child), 2004, Belgium
Directed by Yasmine Kassari this film (set in Morocco) follows young bride Zeinab as she is left alone by her husband after he joins his countrymen to work clandestinely in Europe. Soon she discovers she is pregnant and, not wanting her baby to be born before her husband's return, she prolongs her pregnancy. However, her husband does not return.
This film has been a hit at previous film festivals, and was nominated for Best Belgian Film for the Joseph Plateaux Award in Ghent.
Rusevine (Ruins), 2004, Slovenia
The story follows charismatic theatre director and author Herman who is working on a new performance which is supposed to be his best yet. He invited all of his friends and colleagues from the past to participate.
Among others, this film won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the Slovene Film festival in Ljubljana.
Welcome Home, 2004, Austria
Two police officers are supposed to be deporting a black African back to Ghana. But when they arrive in Africa the balance of power between black and white is turned upside down. This deeply-black comedy, directed by Andreas Gruber, sees the while police officers being sent off on an absurd odyssey through a foreign land in which they are constantly confronted with their own prejudices.
This film secured a Best Director nomination for the Golden St George, Moscow International Film Festival.
Charlie Wilson's War, 2007, United States
Directed by Mike Nichols, this drama is based on Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.
Born in Germany, Mr Nichol's family fled to America in 1939. He has directed 16 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances.
Zozo, 2005, Sweden
Director Josef Fares moved from Lebanon to Sweden aged 10 and made his first short film just five years later. This film charts the life of Zozo who grows up in Beirut. In spite of raging civil war he leads a normal life moving between school and his friends. One day catastrophe srikes and Zozo is forced to cope with life on his own - his only way to survive is to try to make it to Sweden, a land completely unknown to him.
Among others, this film was awarded the Adult's Jury Award for Live-Action Feature Film or Video at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival.