The annual ‘Premju ghall-Arti’ awards, organised by Arts Council Malta (ACM), were held just last night, honouring 14 artists, groups, and artistic industries from around the island.

ACM noted that it received over 300 submissions for this year’s awards, 100 of which made it to the nominations stage. For each category, nominations were short-listed to three finalists, out of which a winner chosen.

Out of the 14 awards given out last night, 10 were competitive, three were honorary, and one was a special award, given to an individual for their extraordinary contribution towards arts and culture.

“Each year, il-Premju għall-Arti continues to evolve, after unveiling it for the first time five years ago. We are now in its fifth year, and I am looking forward to seeing the tangible outcomes brought along with such an initiative within the sector”, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici expressed.

“Thanks to this initiative, we can continue to award the various forms of art and different genres, whilst also building upon our continuous community outreach as a Council”, ACM Executive Chairman Albert Marshall continued.

Here are all of last night’s winners:

• Best Work for Young Audiences – ‘The Secret Garden’- Valletta Cultural Agency and Lignin Stories 
• Young Artist of the Year – ‘Homebound’ – Anne Calleja
• Best Project in the Community – ‘L-Imbuljuta: A Panto in the Dark’ - Written & Directed by Vikesh Godhwani & Marta Vella. Produced by Spazju Kreattiv in Collaboration with Teatru Malta and Esplora
• Honour for Artistic Legacy – ‘Karnival ta’ Malta’ – Festivals Malta
• Award for National Artistic Excellence – ‘Mużika Mużika’ - Festivals Malta 
• Innovation Award – ‘Zoom’ - Tyrone Grima, Joseph Galea and Keith Chetcuti
• Best International Achievement – ‘The Nobodies’ - A Chalk Line Theatre production, written by Amy Guyler
• Best Creative Enterprise – Stephanie Borg
• Best Artistic Programme or Season – Spazju Kreattiv - September 2020 to August 2021 Fondazzjoni Kreattività
• Honour for Cultural Promoters – Mark Weingard
• Artist of the Year – ‘Brodu’ - Albums Blu and Bambinella
• Audience’s Choice – ‘Ħax-Xjuħ’ – Teatru Malta, Josette Ciappara and Tony Cassar Darien
• Production of the Year – ‘They Blew Her Up’ – co-produced by Herman Grech and Spazju Kreattiv, Written and directed by Herman Grech
• Lifetime Achievement – Tanya Bayona

Congratulations to all the winners!