Żejtune wins second international award

Maltese feature film Żejtune has won its second international award as it secured the Audience Award at the 19th Mediterranean Film Festival Split in Croatia. 

Director and writer Alex Camilleri, who attended the festival to present the film, thanked the audience and credited the film’s success to the collective efforts of the cast, crew, producers, and various funders.

The victory in Split marks the second international award for the film in just over a week, coming shortly after Camilleri received the award for Best Screenplay in the International Narrative Feature category at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. 

The film’s story centers on Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman eager to leave Malta whose life takes an unexpected turn after an encounter with Nenu, an elderly għana singer played by debutant Nenu Borg. 

Through Nenu’s traditional music, Mar finds herself unexpectedly reconnected with the island’s deep cultural heritage and traditions.

The film's international momentum is set to continue as it prepares for its Spanish Premiere at the 41st Cinema Jove International Film Festival in Valencia, where it will compete in the Official Feature Film Section. 

Żejtune is also expanding its commercial footprint across Europe. It has secured theatrical distribution throughout the Balkans and is slated for a theatrical release in Bulgaria through Beta Film later this year. 

A deal has also been reached with HBO Europe for VOD and pay TV rights across the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

Locally, the film has become a major cultural event, recording over 9,000 admissions, which establishes it as one of the most-watched Maltese films in history. 

It continues to be available to local audiences with ongoing screenings at Embassy Cinemas in Valletta and Spazju Kreattiv.