Mediterrane Film Festival Announces 2025 Jury & Special Programming
Taking place June 25-29 in Valletta, Malta with the theme 'We Are Film', the festival's Main Competition titles from across the Mediterranean will be evaluated by a jury of film creatives ahead of the Golden Bee Awards, which will be presented at a gala on June 29.
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The first members of the jury include director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight, Lords of Dogtown), production designer Rick Carter (Forrest Gump, Jurassic Park, Avatar), costume designer Charlese Antoinette (AIR, Judas and the Black Messiah), set decorator Elli Griff (Glass Onion, Napoleon, Gladiator and Gladiator II), production designer James Price (Poor Things, Speak No Evil, The Iron Claw) and Maltese director Mario Philip Azzopardi (ZOS: Zone of Separation, Habbilni Ha Nirbah).
The Mare Nostrum — 'Our Sea' jury, which will judge narrative and documentary films dedicated to sustainability and environmental themes, includes Dublin Film Festival artistic director Grainne Humphreys and Sundance Film Festival senior programmer Ania Trzebiatowska.
'As we celebrate 100 years of filmmaking in Malta, we're honoured to welcome an exceptional panel of judges who reflect the depth, diversity, and global reach of contemporary cinema,' said festival director Ray Calleja. 'Together with our festival curator, Mark Adams, we're committed to shaping a programme that not only honours Malta's cinematic past but also champions bold new voices from across the Mediterranean and beyond.'
Hosted at the 400-year old Fort Ricasoli, the festival's special programming includes panels, roundtables and masterclasses from notable industry figures, as well as a 20th anniversary screening of Hardwicke's Lords of Dogtown, followed by a filmmaker discussion.
Celebrating the centennial of film in Malta, with the 100th anniversary of Sons of the Sea (1925), the festival's theme of 'We Are Film' is meant to represent 'a celebration of film, connecting people through stories, emotions and shared experiences.'
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Their handcrafted prints are a heartfelt way to commemorate life's special moments with the sweetest personal review: "I was highly pleased with the quality of the star map. It is beautiful, and the couple will love it. Highly recommend it for gift-giving. Perfect choice and something different." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $18.99. A classic L.L. Bean boat and tote bag you can customize with their name (or an inside joke) in monogram form, making it the kind of timeless, personal gift they'll carry everywhere — from the farmers market to weekend getaways. Promising review: "So well-made, so durable, a useful tote for any occasion or chore. Just can't have enough of them! And, I love receiving a note with the name of the person, A REAL LIVE PERSON, who made this for me." —KemmGet it from L.L. Bean for $32.95+ (available in four sizes, 12 colors, two handle lengths, and several custom monogramming options). A custom-engraved charcuterie board featuring a handwritten message from someone they love, turning a simple serving piece into a cherished heirloom they'll proudly display (and use for every wine night). Wedding Collectibles is a small business that handcrafts personalized cutting boards in the USA. Each piece is custom-engraved with your loved one's handwriting, transforming cherished recipes into lasting family heirlooms.Promising review: "I was skeptical if this would work out. I had a recipe card that my mother had written out for me over 36 years ago. I followed the instructions and sent a black-and-white scan. The scan was far from optimal. When I received the board, I was pleasantly surprised! It was perfect! This is a gift for my brother; the recipe is one of his favorite meals. It will mean a lot to him. The turnaround time exceeded my expectations. This will be an awesome gift!" —ENGet it from Amazon for $39.95. A custom Spotify keychain embedded with a scannable code that instantly plays their special song — whether it's the track that reminds them of a favorite trip, a first dance, or just their go-to anthem for feeling unstoppable. Promising review: "Got this for my boyfriend and me, and it's adorable. The code works perfectly, and the size is perfect — not too big or too quality is amazing, and it hasn't broken, which is great. Super light and easy to carry." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 17 colors/styles). A sleek monogrammed toiletry bag crafted to keep their grooming essentials organized in style. It's incredibly functional, too, giving them all the space they need for business travel, weekend getaways, or just upgrading their daily routine with a touch of personalization. Promising review: "The toiletry bag is made of premium leather and has a custom name on it. It has a lot of space for things to take with you. And it rolls up to a small size, you can take off parts if you need. I bought this for my husband, and he loves it. It's perfect as a wedding anniversary gift. He often takes it on trips. And there is also a waterproof design inside this washbag, so you can use it with confidence in the bathroom. Highly recommend!" —XuyunGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in six styles). A minimalist engraved bracelet customized with their name, initials, or a meaningful word so they can carry a little reminder of something (or someone) special with them. MignonandMignon is a woman-owned small business based in Murrieta, California. Led by founder Dohee Lee, the team handcrafts each personalized piece with care and joy, aiming to celebrate life's special moments through meaningful review: "I purchased these for my college roommates for our trip for our 50th birthdays. I added the coordinates of our university on the front, and the year we graduated in Roman numerals on the back. Highly recommend, and all came in cute gift boxes. Thank you!" —CCGet it from Amazon for $21.95. A dainty personalized name necklace that adds a sentimental touch to their everyday jewelry lineup. Promising review: "It's so beautiful. Good quality, the price is amazing, the length of the chain is perfect, and the packaging was good. I can't wait to give it to my daughter for Christmas. She's gonna love it!" —DodgersGirlGet it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven styles). A pair of personalized pet face socks so they can proudly (and stylishly) show off their furry best friend. I mean, COME ON. Promising review: "I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of these socks. I got these for my girlfriend. She will love these! I also ordered a pair of socks with my cat's face on them and socks for my friends. Thank you!" —Joanne GGet it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in 43 styles). A beautifully crafted adventure scrapbook perfect for documenting their favorite memories, ticket stubs, and little mementos. Some stories deserve more than just a spot in their camera roll. Promising review: "Super awesome gift to make. I made it for my one-year anniversary with my boyfriend because he loved the movie Up. (Who doesn't? It's so cute.) We're going to continue adding to the scrapbook and hopefully pass it on to our children. The book is really sturdy and easy to remove and add pages. Pages are easy to write on and paste on pictures. Really great for the price." —Esther it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three bundles/styles). Or a personalized photo book you can use to document a trip, your favorite memories together, or just about anything else. Not everyone wants a mug or pillowcase with their picture on it, so these books are a timeless keepsake that really pack a punch of love. I made one of these for my parents as a thank-you gift for our trip over the holidays. It was a great way to write down memories and make sense of the hundreds of iPhone photos we all took along the way. I really enjoyed the process (Shutterfly's interface is super user-friendly with lots of customizable options), and these have become my go-to gifts ever since. Promising review: "At Christmas, my mother asked me to help her create a book for her children. The process was so easy, creative, and fun that I have been busily preserving memories in various books. I am so excited about this that I feel as if I can make sense of the years of boxes of photos that can all be put together into lovely books that capture my memories in an elegant way and in a way that will leave beautiful memories for my son and his family-to-be. I am truly sold on this process. I have been a calendar maker for years, and this takes things a step forward. So delightful. Thank you, Shutterfly!" —nlGet it on Shutterfly for $36.65+ (available in different sizes and customizable designs). A chic personalized stationery set because they appreciate good design and are the kind of old-school person who likes to make people feel special with handwritten notes. Get them from Papier for $38+ (available in different sizes, styles, quantities, borders, and colors). A 'fill-in-the-blanks' autobiography book to guide them through telling their own life story, giving them the chance to reflect, reminisce, and leave behind a legacy in their own words. Promising review: "I gave this to my mother for Christmas. She has a million stories from 'back in the day.' This book will help preserve those memories as well as any others she might have that we might not be around to hear about. This self-starting autobiography makes for a wonderful gift on that sad day when you're loved one is no longer with you to share the stories of their past." —Cliff JonesGet it from Amazon for $16. A one-of-a-kind custom pillow from Bode crafted from vintage-inspired senior cord fabric, letting them commemorate their personal style and story in a way that's as unique as they are. A true heirloom in the making. I had this made for my little sister's college graduation gift — which she has NOT received yet, so PLEASE do not tell her!! The process was a breeze, and the Bode team truly knocked it out of the park. I just sent a few reference images and told them about my sister's interests/hobbies/college experience, and they whipped up this masterpiece in less than three weeks. Get it from Bode for $390+ (available in three sizes). A custom-engraved whiskey decanter that adds a personal touch to their home bar. Now they can pour their favorite spirits in a fashion that's as sophisticated as their taste. Promising review: "This was the perfect gift for my husband. He was gushing over the craftsmanship and the quality. The packaging was great, well protected, and shipped in less time than originally quoted." —QueenOfQueensGet it from Amazon for $89.99. An engraved keychain embossed with their name or initials, giving them a stylish (and practical) way to keep their keys organized while adding a touch of everyday luxury. Northwind Supply is a small business based in the US, where each personalized leather keychain is handcrafted with care. Their commitment to quality ensures that every piece is both durable and meaningful, making it a thoughtful gift for any occasion.Promising review: "I am obsessed with this! I've tried all sorts of mechanisms to hold my keys, and this one makes it so easy to access my keys, and it's so attractive! My keys are easily accessible without being bulky at all." —Kasey MokGet it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in various customizations). A delicate initial necklace handcrafted with a gold-plated material and personalized just for them with an initial. Simple, timeless, and stylish — how could they NOT appreciate this? Promising review: "The best necklace I've ever had!!! It's the perfect size and length, so dainty! I was worried about the gold fading (because it's so wonderfully affordable), but it hasn't — not even a little bit!!! I've worn it every single day for about a month now, I even accidentally wore it in a pool for a little bit, but nothing happened, and it's never been damaged! Has become such a staple for me and my everyday outfit, don't feel complete without it anymore. Would highly recommend and will be buying another if this one ever breaks!!" —Brittany BurrahmGet it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 26 letters) A ceramic initial jewelry tray so they have a stylish, meaningful spot to keep their favorite pieces safe, and always within reach. COLLECTIVE HOME is a small business that designs and curates charming, functional home accents — from rustic wood trays to decorative wall art. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted to bring warmth and personality to your review: "Very cute and well-made little plate. I got this as a small gift to add to my bridesmaid gift box. It was a hit! It can be used for jewelry, decoration, or to hold keys, change, etc. It is of great quality. Love it and might actually get one for myself!" —BRisingGet it from Amazon for $13.59 (available in 26 styles). Or a leather catchall tray embossed with their initials or a special message if this is more their vibe. Iron & Grain Leather Co. is a husband-and-wife artisan duo based in Florida. They handcraft each personalized leather valet tray using full-grain Italian leather, creating heirloom-quality pieces that blend functionality with timeless design. Promising review: "I bought this for our third anniversary with a personalized message. My husband loves it and the quality is great!" —MalloryGet it from Amazon for $29.99. A pair of 16-karat white gold–plated cufflinks engraved with their initial to keep them looking sharp and polished no matter what they're getting dressed up for. Promising review: "I loved the quality. I bought one for my husband and one for my son. They used them for my son's wedding. They liked them — they aren't cheap looking, and they have a good weight on them." —AJGet them from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 26 letters). A set of photo coasters here to turn their favorite memories into a functional piece of home decor. And protect their precious coffee table you're always leaving watermarks on. You'll just have to print your own photos and slide them in, which means they can swap them out as they please! Promising review: "These are very nice. I filled them with precious photos for a dear friend, and she loved it so much that she cried. They make a wonderful heirloom gift of unforgettable pictures. An inexpensive, priceless gift." —DWGet a set of four from Amazon for $14.95. A paw print ornament-making kit so they can preserve their furry friend's tiny (or not-so-tiny) paw forever. You can even turn it into an ornament! Baby Mushroom is a family-owned small business that creates keepsake kits designed to capture life's most sentimental moments. Each pawprint kit is thoughtfully assembled to help pet parents preserve memories in a heartfelt, personal review: "I used one half of this kit for my own dog and gave the other half away as a gift. The final product looks perfect, was easy, and mess-free, and the material is much lighter and sturdier than expected, so I have no hesitation about hanging it on the Christmas tree. Highly recommend." —Morgan it from Amazon for $16.95. An adorable book tracker bookmark to let them keep a running list of the books they've read (or plan to read) — a fun little way to celebrate their literary accomplishments. Britishbookart is a UK-based small business run by artist Abbie, who hand-paints each whimsical design before printing it onto high-quality cardstock. Her bookshelf tracker bookmarks are a charming way to celebrate your reading journey—perfect for book lovers who appreciate a creative, personal touch.Promising review: "These are so cute! The art is so detailed and beautiful. I gave them to my husband's family (huge readers), and they adore them!" —ohmissallieGet it from britishbookart on Etsy for $3.92.
