Jury to include Rick Carter, Catherine Hardwicke, James Price and more
VALLETTA, MALTA – The Mediterrane Film Festival has announced its international jury and programming highlights for the 2025 edition, taking place from June 21–29 in Valletta. This year’s festival celebrates 100 years of filmmaking in Malta, marking a historic milestone with the theme “We Are Film.”
Led by new Festival Director Ray Calleja and Curator Mark Adams, the third edition will spotlight three key strands:
- Main Competition – Celebrating cinematic excellence from the Mediterranean.
- Out of Competition – Featuring standout global selections.
- Mare Nostrum – ‘Our Sea’ – Focusing on films centered around environmental sustainability.
The festival will also feature a robust industry program at Fort Ricasoli, including panels, masterclasses, and roundtables. Past speakers include acclaimed creatives such as Mike Leigh, Nathan Crowley, and Simon Franglen.
The 2025 Golden Bee Awards will be decided by a prestigious jury, which includes:
- Rick Carter – Oscar-winning production designer (Avatar, Lincoln)
- Charlese Antoinette – Costume designer (AIR, Judas and the Black Messiah)
- Elli Griff – Set decorator (Napoleon, Gladiator II)
- Catherine Hardwicke – Director (Twilight, Thirteen)
- James Price – Production designer (Poor Things)
- Mario Philip Azzopardi – Maltese filmmaker (Il-Gaġġa)
The Mare Nostrum jury will feature Grainne Humphreys (Dublin Film Festival) and Ania Trzebiatowska (Sundance).
“We stand for opportunity, collaboration, and creativity,” said Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech. Calleja added: “This festival honors Malta’s past while championing bold new voices from across the Mediterranean.”
With a legacy that includes hosting productions like Gladiator, Troy, and Game of Thrones, Malta continues to shape global cinema with its unique locations and growing creative industry.
Stay tuned for more from Valletta this June as the Mediterrane Film Festival reaffirms Malta’s place on the world film map.
