The inaugural edition of the Mediterrane Film Festival in Malta from 25-30 June concluded with the Golden Bee Awards ceremony.
The prestigious event, according to Cineuropa, held on Friday 30 June at Fort Manoel in Gżira, was hosted by David Walliams OBE.
Carla Simón’s Alcarràs represented Spain at the festival and emerged as the night’s overall victor, securing the coveted Golden Bee for Best Film.
Writer-director Juraj Lerotić received the Best Director Award for his compelling debut drama, Safe Place, which served as Croatia’s contribution to the festival.
Additionally, the Best Screenplay Award went to Alice Diop, Amrita David and Marie Ndiaye for their work on Saint Omer, the film representing France.
Nostalgia, directed by Mario Martone, represented Italy and left Malta adorned with four Golden Bee Awards. These accolades included Best Male Actor for the performance by Pierfrancesco Favino, Best Costumes for Ursula Patzak, Best Production Design for Carmine Guarino and Best Make-up & Hair Design for Marco Perna.
Finally, the Portuguese entry, Alma Viva by Cristèle Alves Meira, received a total of three Golden Bee Awards, including those for Best Female Actor for Lua Michel, Best Original Score (composed by Amine Bouhafa) and Best Cinematography for Rui Poças.
The award winners were selected from a pool of nine films from the MED 9 countries. Leading the jury was Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission. Joining him were prominent professionals from each of the MED 9 countries: acclaimed Croatian actor Zlatko Burić, Cypriot writer-director-producer Tonia Mishiali, French actress and filmmaker Vahina Giocante, Greek producer Amanda Livanou; Italian film critic Boris Sollazzo, Maltese film analyst and critic Mario Azzopardi, Portuguese journalist and programmer José Vieira Mendes, Slovenian film critic Tina Poglajen, and Spanish film programming director and critic Carlos Reviriego.
