Aġenzija Żgħażagħ organised the 9th edition of the Malta Youth Film Festival, an initiative that continues to create a space where young people, aged 16–30, can express their creativity, share their experiences and give voice to the ideas and thoughts that are important to them. In total, 14 films were submitted.
The festival is more than just a cinema event. It is a platform that encourages cultural participation, gives prominence to the voices of young people and offers an opportunity to explore different perspectives through art and film.
Through the productions presented, young people are being given the opportunity to tell stories that reflect their realities, thoughts and experiences, while contributing to important discussions about life in today’s society.
This initiative is in line with the objectives of the National Youth Policy 2030, which places emphasis on youth participation and empowerment, inclusion and diversity, as well as creativity as a key means of engagement and personal development. The event also highlighted the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces where young people feel heard, respected and supported to express themselves freely.
Minister for Youth, Welfare and the Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto Omar Farrugia said that the Malta Youth Film Festival is a very strong platform for Maltese youth to showcase their talent. “These awards will certainly continue to attract more young people with greater motivation so that next year this festival will be bigger and better, so that Maltese talent can reach its goal,” the Minister said.
The Manager of the Youth Empowerment Unit Maria C. Borg said that “this is a platform for young film makers, a collaboration between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Malta Film Foundation, and it has been running for the last 9 years, in 9 different editions. This year we had 14 submissions from different young people in Malta.”
The festival also recognized the talent and commitment of all participants. The productions presented demonstrated creativity, innovation and courage in telling stories that make a positive contribution to society.
The event concluded with the winners of the best picture, the most important award of the evening, which was won by Evelyn Magro, with the film “Il-Bikja u l-Performance”.
