The ninth edition of Kinemastik International Short Film Festival (KISFF), one of the most eagerly-anticipated film events on the local calendar, kicks off today at a variety of venues that include the traditional giant screen in Valletta’s St Lazarus Curtain, with the Grand Harbour serving as a spectacular backdrop.
Once again, this year’s festival includes Maltese and international offerings, which will compete for the Kinemastik Golden Dot prize. For the fourth year running, KISFF is also presenting its popular children’s film festival.
The children’s festival, dubbed Little Rock People, is curated by Jon Banthorpe and presented by six-year-old master of ceremonies Zen Kono.
The young audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite film – the one that generates the most noise, wins. The festival will take place at the Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, today at 6pm.
On Tuesday, Kinemastik prepares a warm-up with a 45-minute film by Robert Rubbish – One Eyed Man in the Kingdom of the Blind. The film is a neo-noir, psycho-geographical, detective story set in Jersey and London.
Rubbish is a UK illustrator/filmmaker, one of the founding members of London art collective Le Gun. Screening will take place at the Café Riche, Sally Port, Valletta, at 9pm.
Wednesday will see a special focus on the up-and-coming Argentinian filmmaker Eduardo Teddy Williams, who has received acclaim and numerous awards at the Cannes, Rome and Buenos Aires film festivals. The venue chosen for Williams’ renowned hazy and surreal style is the Fish Market at the Pixkerija, Valletta. Williams will be present as special guest.
The festival comes to an end with two nights of short films on Friday and Saturday, which will be screened at the Lazarus Curtain, on the beach opposite the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Both nights will come to an end with an event featuring four UK artists: Capitol K, Subject DJs, Steph Von Reiswitz and Ali Tollervey.
The festival is made possible thanks to the support of Farsons, the Malta Tourism Authority, Malta Film Commission, Valletta V18 foundation, British Council Malta, E Cabs, Wanted Media, Sundance Channel, Melita Cable, Godwin Garage, Aldo, Marks & Spencer, Middlesea Insurance, Malta Contemporary Art and the Malta Arts Fund.
www.kinemastik.org