Maltese Film Island of Oblivion To Premiere At Prishtina International Film Festival

Maltese director Jamie Vella’s latest film, Island of Oblivion, is set to have its world premiere in competition at the Prishtina International Film Festival in Kosovo on Saturday, 13 September 2025.

The film is a revisionist retelling of the chapter of Homer’s The Odyssey set on Ogygia, the mythical island where Odysseus is held captive by the nymph Calypso. Over the centuries, the island has often been identified as Gozo, with the legendary “Calypso’s Cave” overlooking Ramla Bay.

“The film takes a personal and humanist approach to the myth, exploring timeless themes of individualism, memory, love, and the struggle between duty and selfishness,” Vella said. “Odysseus is immersed in a world of comfort and love, yet challenged by the burden of memory.”

Vella added: “With Island of Oblivion, I wanted to explore the more humane aspect of the poem’s hero a man who has lost himself to the world, with fragmented memory the only spark to reignite his identity amid the genuine love and bliss of Calypso and her mythic island.”

Despite a limited budget, the film brought together an extraordinary team of actors, crew, and local craftspeople, each contributing their artistry to the production.

The international cast features Italian actor Alberto Brosio as Odysseus and Spanish actress Ariadna Cabrol as Calypso, alongside Paul Portelli as Captain Eurylochus and Jacqui Losco as Penelope.

A co-production between Vella’s company Wild Skies and Malta’s established production company Pellikola, the film is produced by Oliver Mallia and Jamie Vella with support from the Malta Film Commission. Mallia said: “We are very grateful for the selection of Island of Oblivion at the Prishtina International Film Festival. Showcasing Maltese stories on an international stage is always an honour, and working with emerging filmmakers like Jamie is essential for the evolution of our cinema. This film allowed us to explore new creative ground while celebrating the artistry of our cast, crew, and local craftspeople.”

Vella’s debut film, Arcadia (2017), explored environmental change, corruption, and human vulnerability in Malta’s countryside, premiering at the Valletta Film Festival and screened internationally. Mallia’s producing credits include the award-winning films Shame on Dry Land (2023) and Luzzu (2021).

Behind the camera, Maltese talent shines: Matthew Envin Taylor (Director of Photography), Luke Azzopardi (Costume Designer), Sean Vella (Original Score), Charlo Dalli (Production Design), Marcelle Genovese (Hair Design), and Chantal Busuttil (Make-up).

The 17th edition of the Prishtina International Film Festival takes place from 9–14 September 2025.

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