Mizzi promotes local talent in Brussels

Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi, together with the S&D group, is hosting a two-day event to promote the Maltese Film industry and culture in Brussels, Belgium.

“Culture and the creative sectors are not only essential for shaping our identities and the world we live in, but they are also major contributors to the economy and employment of each country. “ Mizzi said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, European artists are facing significant challenges and therefore as a substitute member of CULT Committee in the European Parliament, I am doing my utmost to promote Maltese culture and to give Maltese artists the opportunity to raise awareness and share their views with major decision-makers in Brussels on how we can better shape the future cultural Agenda in Europe.”

The statement explains that a screening of the Maltese movie “Simshar”, attended by the film’s director Rebecca Cremona, will officially open the event on the 2nd of June.

“Simshar” is a Maltese drama film inspired by incredible real events, where two parallel stories of survival at sea unravel around the Mediterranean island of Malta and culminate tragically when a Maltese fishing family is left stranded in open water, being mistaken for African migrants.

“The movie screening will be followed on the 3rd of June by a high-level international debate ‘Does European Cinema have a future: What next for low audio-visual capacity countries' indigenous film production?’” the statement reads.

It explained that the key note speaker of this debate will be the Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger, who recently launched the Digital Single Market Strategy, which will significantly impact the indigenous Maltese film industry.

“An international panel of speakers involved in the film industry will look into the European Film Industry from the perspective of independent filmmakers - especially those coming from small ‘low producing’ countries, such as Malta.”

It added that a number of Maltese special guests involved in the film and media field have also been invited to attend.

"These are tumultuous times for independent film makers all over the world. For a country like Malta, which does not have a filmmaking heritage and has economies of scale against it, the challenges are even greater,” Cremona, who will also be a key speaker at the Conference in Brussels said.

“This event is an unprecedented opportunity for our voice to be heard and actively participate in a debate about EU cultural policy which will hopefully result in the schemes for film being more accessible to the indigenous Maltese film industry. “

“In my role as an MEP I intend to go beyond politics and to promote Malta, the Maltese and Maltese talent and culture. We have been planning this project for the last few months and I am very excited that there is a great interest among EU decision makers, opinion leaders and the film industry,” Mizzi said.

“We need more Maltese films to be screened not only in Europe but also around the world.”