The acclaimed film Simshar has just been officially released in Australia, the first time a Maltese produced film has had an international theatrical release.

The premiere was recently held in Sydney, followed by a tour of screenings and Q&As with co-writer and director Rebecca Cremona. 

Shot in Maltese and English and starring local and foreign actors, the film had even been accepted for consideration as Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards.

In Australia, the film has already been endorsed by popular barrister Julian Burnside and TV star Waleed Aly, and described film of the week in the Capital Territory of Canberra.

The film, a fiction story inspired by the Simshar tragedy in 2008, was written by Ms Cremona and David Grech. It runs on three parallel tracks. The Simshar story, which includes the disappearance of 11-year-old Theo, follows the account of his mother, Sharin, the wife of the only survivor, Simon Bugeja.

As she raises her family, immigration concerns and tension among fishermen surge. At the same time, a Maltese doctor finds himself caring for a pregnant woman aboard a Turkish vessel, which rescued migrants between Malta and the Italian island of Lampedusa, with neither country allowing disembarkation.

In a videoed address endorsing the film, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the story portrayed in the film warmth and conviction. 

"Simshar is the story of life today. I encourage you to see the film because it shows that love and compassion are so important today," the President said. 

The film was produced with the support of the Malta Film Commission and the Malta Film Fund. The Australia tour is supported by the recently launched Export Fund from Arts Council Malta.

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