The Malta Film Commission is encouraging local film producers and directors to enter short films in European film festivals to have a chance to be nominated for the European Film Awards ceremony, in Malta on December 1.

The European Film Awards are presented annually by the European Film Academy (EFA) to recognise excellence in European cinema.

There is a total of 17 categories, including European Film, European Director, European Actress and European Actor.

Short films allow for creative experiments and provocation and invite artists to play with cinematic styles – for many film-makers short films are the starting point of their careers.

To be considered for a nomination, a short film has to screen in competition at any of the participating festivals such as the Flanders International Film Festival in Ghent, Belgium and the Corona Cork Film Festival in Ireland.

So far, four nominees have been announced. The remaining 11 nominees will be selected by juries in Angers, Rotterdam, Berlin, Tampere, Cracow, Grimstad, Vila do Conde, Sarajevo, Locarno, Venice and Drama.

When the annual cycle is complete in September, the nominees will be presented to EFA members.

The 2,500 members of the European Film Academy screen the nominees and elect the overall winner: the European Film Academy Short Film, which will be presented at the annual awards ceremony.

The 25th edition is being organised in collaboration with the Malta Film Commission.

www.europeanfilmacademy.org