Żejtune, the new feature film by Maltese filmmaker Alex Camilleri, has sold to fourteen countries worldwide following its world premiere at the Göteborg Film Festival at the end of January and further sales at the European Film Market during the Berlin International Film Festival.
Through the film’s international sales agent, Films Boutique, the film has secured distribution in France (Epicentre Films), Italy (MoviesInsider), Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg (September Film), Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania (Demiurg) and Singapore.
The film will have its official Malta premiere at Eden Cinemas on Wednesday 18 March 2026. Audiences will also have the opportunity to meet the filmmakers and engage in post-screening discussions at two special Q&A screenings: at Citadel Cinemas in Gozo on Monday 30 March 2026, and at Embassy Cinemas in Valletta on Monday 6 April 2026. The film will be released in cinemas across Malta and Gozo on Wednesday 8 April 2026. It will have a nationwide theatrical release, screening at Eden Cinemas in St Julian’s, Embassy Cinemas and Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta, and Citadel Cinemas in Gozo.
Żejtune tells the story of Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman ready to leave the tiny island of 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, Mar meets Nenu, portrayed by Nenu Borg — a veteran għana singer making his screen debut at the age of 82 — whose vibrant folk music draws her into the colourful traditions of an island she is desperate to escape.
The film is produced by Oliver Mallia of Pellikola, Ramin Bahrani of Noruz Films and Alex Camilleri of Solari Productions, with co-producers Fred Burle and Sol Bondy of 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 local cast members, including the screen debut of Maltese singer-songwriter Michael Azzopardi in the role of Anġlu, and veteran Maltese actress Frida Cauchi as Mar’s aunt, Annette.
The film was made with the financial support of the Malta Film Commission, Arts Council Malta, the Doha Film Institute and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning
