Żejtune the new feature film by Maltese filmmaker Alex Camilleri, will have its North American Premiere at the 25th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival, where it has been selected to compete in the International Competition.
Co-founded by Academy Award winning actor Robert De Niro, the Tribeca Film Festival is one of the leading cultural events in the United States. Held annually in New York, the festival showcases bold and distinct work from emerging talent and established filmmakers, and is known for highlighting distinctive voices in global cinema.
Following its world premiere at the Göteborg Film Festival earlier this year, Żejtune is currently screening in cinemas across Malta and Gozo. In its opening weekend, the film ranked as the top choice among audiences at Embassy Cinemas in Valletta and was the second most-watched film at Eden Cinemas in St Julian’s and Citadel Cinema in Gozo.
Through its international sales agent Films Boutique, Żejtune has already secured distribution in fourteen territories worldwide, including France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania and Singapore. In May, the film will also be presented to buyers and industry professionals at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival.
Żejtune tells the story of Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman ready to leave Malta behind. The death of her estranged mother offers her a way out through the inheritance of three pieces of land she intends to sell. As she embarks on a journey to claim her inheritance, she meets Nenu, portrayed by Nenu Borg, a veteran għana singer making his screen debut, whose music draws her into the traditions of an island she is trying to escape.
The film is produced by Oliver Mallia (Pellikola), Ramin Bahrani (Noruz Films) and Alex Camilleri (Solari Productions), with co-producers Fred Burle and Sol Bondy (One Two Films), alongside Rebecca Anastasi. It was made in co-production with ZDF Das kleine Fernsehspiel and in association with arte, Films Boutique and Nizza Films.
Alongside Michela Farrugia and Nenu Borg, the film features a wide range of Maltese talent, including Michael Azzopardi and Frida Cauchi.
