As far as alternative cultural events go the Kinemastik International Short Film Festival has established itself on Malta's cultural calendar as an important showcase of local and foreign independent films. This year's edition promises to be an even bigger event with a varied programme spread over a two-week period. Kicking off today, the festival will host a number of screenings in various locations, workshops by foreign film directors, exhibitions and a final round up of two nights of short film screenings at the Gardjola Gardens.
The selection of films chosen originate from just about every continent and offer a broad spectrum on the creative and technical possibilities of independent film making. The first night of the festival is being held at St James Cavalier and will feature 13 short films, selected by the European Film Academy in Berlin, Germany. These films make up part of The Prix UIP - an initiative by UIP (United International Pictures) and the European Film Academy in cooperation with 14 festivals throughout Europe. The first of two workshops being held during the festival is by Milos Tomic, the director of Clay Pigeon. This film was screened during last year's edition of the film festival and won the audience award. Mr Tomic has been invited to Malta to conduct a workshop which will focus on the use of stop motion animation in narrative film and will give participants the opportunity to experiment with these techniques. Entrance to the workshops is limited so early booking is recommended.
Other events in this year's festival include an exhibition of paintings by Marija Djordjevic, a special screening of Iranian films for which the film directors shall also be present, and a much-awaited screening from Swedish duo Mark Hammarberg and Ester Martin Bergsmark of Silverosa Films. These maverick film-makers have a reputation of dealing with provocative subjects in fact they already raised many an eyebrows with their controversial films. They will be in Malta to screen their film Swallow It, and to chair what is billed to be a lively debate about the maladies of modern society.
Kinemastik is committed not only to bringing foreign films to Malta but also to promote local talent overseas.
In 2007 a number of Maltese productions were screened in several cinemas in Paris, Rome, Tarragona and other European cities as part of the Celebration of European Film event. Despite these efforts Maltese film still remains a struggling orphan, bereft of a structured industry or a proper educational grounding. Maltese participants in this year's film festival are at the lowest level with just two films in the programme, a clear indication that film-making in Malta is struggling to exist.
Alex Vella Gera will present his film BXL2008 during the final two nights at Gardjola Gardens. The full festival programme is available for download at www.kinemastik.org.
The selection of films chosen originate from just about every continent and offer a broad spectrum on the creative and technical possibilities of independent film making. The first night of the festival is being held at St James Cavalier and will feature 13 short films, selected by the European Film Academy in Berlin, Germany. These films make up part of The Prix UIP - an initiative by UIP (United International Pictures) and the European Film Academy in cooperation with 14 festivals throughout Europe. The first of two workshops being held during the festival is by Milos Tomic, the director of Clay Pigeon. This film was screened during last year's edition of the film festival and won the audience award. Mr Tomic has been invited to Malta to conduct a workshop which will focus on the use of stop motion animation in narrative film and will give participants the opportunity to experiment with these techniques. Entrance to the workshops is limited so early booking is recommended.
Other events in this year's festival include an exhibition of paintings by Marija Djordjevic, a special screening of Iranian films for which the film directors shall also be present, and a much-awaited screening from Swedish duo Mark Hammarberg and Ester Martin Bergsmark of Silverosa Films. These maverick film-makers have a reputation of dealing with provocative subjects in fact they already raised many an eyebrows with their controversial films. They will be in Malta to screen their film Swallow It, and to chair what is billed to be a lively debate about the maladies of modern society.
Kinemastik is committed not only to bringing foreign films to Malta but also to promote local talent overseas.
In 2007 a number of Maltese productions were screened in several cinemas in Paris, Rome, Tarragona and other European cities as part of the Celebration of European Film event. Despite these efforts Maltese film still remains a struggling orphan, bereft of a structured industry or a proper educational grounding. Maltese participants in this year's film festival are at the lowest level with just two films in the programme, a clear indication that film-making in Malta is struggling to exist.
Alex Vella Gera will present his film BXL2008 during the final two nights at Gardjola Gardens. The full festival programme is available for download at www.kinemastik.org.