Żejtune Wins Audience Award At Mediterranean Film Festival Split In Croatia

Maltese feature film Żejtune, written and directed by Alex Camilleri, has won the Audience Award at the 19th Mediterranean Film Festival Split in Croatia.

The award was announced during the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday, 20 June 2026.

Camilleri attended the event in Split, where he introduced the film to Croatian audiences.

In response to the honour, he thanked audiences for their warm reception and expressed gratitude to the cast, producers, crew and funders who helped bring the project to life.

The recognition marks Żejtune’s second international award in just over a week. Camilleri recently received the Best Screenplay award in the International Narrative Feature category at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

The film follows Mar, played by Michela Farrugia, a young woman hoping to leave Malta.

Her plans change after meeting Nenu, portrayed by debut actor Nenu Borg, an ageing għana singer whose music reconnects her with the island’s traditions and cultural heritage.

Żejtune will next have its Spanish premiere at the 41st Cinema Jove International Film Festival of Valencia.

It continues to screen in Malta at Embassy Cinemas in Valletta and Spazju Kreattiv, where it has recorded more than 9,000 admissions.

#MaltaDaily