Hot MilkThe Mediterrane Film Festival is poised to bring a vibrant tapestry of storytelling to Valletta for its third edition, showcasing a kaleidoscope of award-winning films, festival favorites, innovative documentaries, and exclusive previews from June 21 to June 29, 2025. Set against the backdrop of the island’s historic landscapes, this year’s festival features over 40 films hailing from more than 20 countries.
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Among the highlights, the festival’s Main Competition promises compelling narratives from some of cinema’s most resonant voices. Notable entries include Uberto Pasolini’s The Return, which reunites acclaimed actors Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in a gripping reimagining of Homer’s Odyssey. Also making the cut is Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s Hot Milk, a directorial debut adapted from Deborah Levy’s novel. Other noteworthy films include Guido Chiesa’s For the Love of a Woman, Athina Rachel Tsangari’s dreamlike adaptation of Harvest, and Joshua Cassar Gaspar’s The Theft of the Caravaggio, a suspenseful narrative set in Valletta’s St. John’s Cathedral.
The lineup is rounded out with Amel Guellaty’s Where The Wind Comes From, a poignant road trip film, Igor Bezinović’s thought-provoking meta-documentary Fiume o Morte!, and Seloua El Gouni’s The Wound, awarded Best Debut Feature at the Athens International Art Film Festival. The competition will also feature cinematic explorations like Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s genre mystery Reflection in a Dead Diamond, alongside Julio Medem’s introspective piece, 8.
The Return, directed by Uberto Pasolini, with Ralph Fiennes (Odysseus), Juliette Binoche (Penelope), Charlie Plummer (Telemachus), Marwan Kenzari (Antinous), Claudio Santamaria (Eumaeus).OUT OF COMPETITION: A Tapestry of Screenings
This year’s out-of-competition selection boasts a fascinating range of special screenings and previews. Ira Sachs’ celebrated work, Peter Hujar’s Day, stars Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, while Neil Marshall’s Compulsion, an erotic thriller set in Malta, promises to enthrall. Audiences can also look forward to heartfelt performances in Four Letters of Love, featuring a stellar cast including Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter.
In the realm of quirky storytelling, Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard’s The Extraordinary Miss Flower will captivate viewers alongside The Ballad of Wallis Island, presenting a musical journey led by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan. A unique crime mystery, About a Hero, directed by Piotr Winiewicz, features an AI version of filmmaker Werner Herzog consulting on a factory worker’s suspicious death.
A special sidebar, in collaboration with FilmItalia, will honor emerging Italian women filmmakers with audacious works like Diva Futura, and Gloria! by Margherita Vicario, alongside the biopic Love and Glory – The Long Deledda.
MAJOR THEMES IN MARE NOSTRUM
The festival’s Mare Nostrum section returns, spotlighting six innovative films addressing climate change and environmental concerns. Highlights include Sandra Winther’s Lowland Kids, which explores the realities of America’s first climate refugees, and Eleanor Mortimer’s How Deep is Your Love, diving deep into oceanic wonders threatened by exploitation. Additionally, Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature provides an intimate look at the legendary animator’s influence on ecological advocacy.
CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF MALTESE CINEMA
As Malta commemorates 100 years of filmmaking since the first feature film, Sons of the Sea, the festival will feature outdoor screenings of beloved films shot in Malta. Notable screenings include Gladiator and Troy, set against the historic architecture of Fort Ricasoli. This monumental celebration, capped by the Golden Bee Awards, will gather luminaries from the industry, including film legends and contemporary visionaries.
Festival Jury members like Elli Griff, Rick Carter, and Catherine Hardwicke will judge the prestigious Golden Bee Awards, alongside a series of Masterclasses led by film insiders.
Festival Director Ray Calleja notes, “We strive to connect storytellers from the Mediterranean and beyond, showcasing their creativity and innovation while celebrating Malta’s storied cinematic history.”
Join this cinematic journey that promises to inspire and connect through the universal language of film.
