From Luzzu to ŻEJTUNE! Maltese-American filmmaker Alex Camilleri’s second film acquired for global release
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’re likely to have heard of Alex Camilleri, the Maltese-American director whose debut feature film ‘Luzzu’ made the official selection of various prestigious film festivals across the world, including the BFI London Film Festival and the New Directors New Films Festival. The film was Malta’s submission to the 94th Academy Awards and the protagonist of ‘Luzzu’, Jesmark Scicluna, also scooped the Special Jury Award for Acting at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
And now, as Alex Camilleri is getting ready to present his next film – titled ‘ŻEJTUNE’ – to the world, he’s shared the exciting news that his sophomore feature has been acquired by the Berlin-based company Films Boutique for world sales. The company is known to have worked with teams of various renowned films, such as last year’s ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’, which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and for the for Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.
The director shared the news on his social media, writing, ‘So excited to be working with the amazing folks at Films Boutique on the release of my second feature, ŻEJTUNE! Can’t wait for the journey ahead.’
Set on the island of Malta and starring local actor Michela Farrugia alongside Nenu Borg, ‘ŻEJTUNE’ tells the story of Mar, a woman determined to sell her inherited farmland and leave the island following her estranged mother’s death. An unexpected meeting with Nenu, an 80-year-old folk singer, leads to an unexpected bond and a change in trajectory.
We can’t wait to see where Alex Camilleri’s filmmaking journey takes him next, and we’re wishing the entire ‘ŻEJTUNE’ team the very best of luck as the film prepares for its international release!
Excited for the release of ‘ŻEJTUNE’?