The 17th edition of Kinemastik International Short Film Festival deviates from our usual model of screening short films in outdoor venues across both Malta and Gozo; this year will see a mix of locations hosting various types of screenings, to ensure the spirit of KISFF is kept alive — all screenings involve physical action, we believe cinema is a social act.

This year’s Main Screen Competition section consists of four programmes, these will be screened at Spazju Kreattiv and Citadel Cinema from 18th-21st November:

1. Rupture, Possibly Repair
Rupture is a chance to strengthen relationships, repair is critical. Sometimes though, it’s best to walk away…

2. We Are All Political (Animals)
Claiming that humans in general are political animals is now a way for cynics to describe human behaviour as competitive and manipulative rather than as altruistic rule-following. The more positive ancient understanding of political animals can help us to understand ourselves better.

3. Ways of Seeing
Representations of men and women in visual culture entice different gazes, different ways in which they are looked at, taking that a step further we consider how accessing all areas gives us fresh perspective and a chance for better insight, to say nothing of delight.

4. (Don’t) Look Away
The urge to bolt, the uncertainty of fight or flight, sometimes we have to look away, other times we are transfixed, either way we encourage you (not) to look away.

Eight screenings at Spazju Kreattiv and two combined screenings at Citadel Cinema Gozo.

This year’s jury is made up Alex Camilleri, the writer/director of acclaimed film Luzzu, rising star actor Marama Corlett, and urbanist/architect Željka Abramovic.

Get your tickets for Spazju Kreattiv here.

Citadel Cinema, Gozo – Tickets can be purchased by telephone (8 November onwards). Call +356 21559955. Double Bill tickets €14

Our audiences will also be given the opportunity to cast their vote through an online platform. We will update you regarding this in due time.

Željka Abramovic is an architect and urbanist by profession who has worked with a number of award-winning UK architectural practices on private and public sector projects, and developments with strong design, community and environmental agendas. She was a key member of London Borough of Lambeth’s Planning and Place-shaping Team, and part of a 3rd cohort of Associates with Public Practice, a London-based social enterprise whose mission is to help improve the quality and equality of everyday places through proactive planning and capacity building of the public sector. Željka believes that the built environment should above all aim to be democratic.  She is a reader, swimmer, cyclist, walker… please try not to run her over.

Alex Camilleri is a Maltese-American writer, director and producer. His debut feature, Luzzu, premiered to wide acclaim at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Award for Acting. The film has netted numerous awards and screened at prestigious showcases, including BFI London Film Festival and New Directors/New Films. Luzzu has been released in over a dozen territories worldwide and was Malta’s submission to the 94th Academy Awards. Camilleri is repped by WME and currently preparing his sophomore feature.

Actor Marama Corlett began her career on the set of New Zealand director Lee Tamahori’s film, The Devil’s Double, shot in Malta. Since then her star has risen steadily; in 2014 she interpreted the role of Betty Parris in the West End production of ‘The Crucible’ at The Old Vic Theatre with Richard Armitage; in 2020, Marama graced our screens on Sky One in the second season of series ‘Sick Of It’, with British comedian/actor Karl Pilkington; most recently, Marama has been filming in Cape Town playing Angua, a lead role in BBC America’s exciting, new series ‘The Watch’, inspired by Terry Pratchett’s Disc-world Novels. Other credits include the feature films ‘Desert Dancer’ alongside Freida Pinto and ‘The Goob’ with Sean Harris. When not acting, Marama can be found on a Maltese bench chit chatting with the elderly.