The inaugural edition of the Mediterrane Film Festival has concluded with the Golden Bee Awards ceremony, marking the end of its successful run in Malta from 25-30 June. The prestigious event, held on Friday 30 June at Fort Manoel in Gżira, was hosted by David Walliams OBE.
Carla Simón’s Alcarràs [+] represented Spain at the festival and emerged as the night’s overall victor, securing the coveted Golden Bee for Best Film. The award winners were selected from a pool of nine films from the MED 9 countries. Leading the jury was Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission. Joining him were prominent professionals from each of the MED 9 countries: acclaimed Croatian actor Zlatko Burić, Cypriot writer-director-producer Tonia Mishiali, French actress and filmmaker Vahina Giocante, Greek producer Amanda Livanou; Italian film critic Boris Sollazzo, Maltese film analyst and critic Mario Azzopardi, Portuguese journalist and programmer José Vieira Mendes, Slovenian film critic Tina Poglajen, and Spanish film programming director and critic Carlos Reviriego.
Writer-director Juraj Lerotić received the Best Director Award for his compelling debut drama, Safe Place [+], which served as Croatia’s contribution to the festival. Additionally, the Best Screenplay Award went to Alice Diop, Amrita David and Marie Ndiaye for their work on Saint Omer [+], the film representing France.
Nostalgia [+], directed by Mario Martone, represented Italy and left Malta adorned with four Golden Bee Awards. These accolades included Best Male Actor for the performance by Pierfrancesco Favino, Best Costumes for Ursula Patzak, Best Production Design for Carmine Guarino and Best Make-up & Hair Design for Marco Perna. Finally, the Portuguese entry, Alma Viva [+] by Cristèle Alves Meira, received a total of three Golden Bee Awards, including those for Best Female Actor for Lua Michel, Best Original Score (composed by Amine Bouhafa) and Best Cinematography for Rui Poças.
Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech thanked everyone for making the first-ever Mediterrane Film Festival a success, stating: “What makes this festival unique is not just the stunning Mediterranean Sea, but also the strength of the bonds it has shown to exist between our Mediterranean nations. The second Mediterrane Film Festival will take place here in Malta next year, in June 2024. The Bee will be back – back even bolder.”
Here is the complete list of the Golden Bee Awards handed out at the first Mediterrane Film Festival:
Best Feature Film
Alcarràs [+] – Carla Simón (Spain/Italy)
Best Director
Juraj Lerotić – Safe Place [+] (Croatia/Slovenia)
Best Screenplay
Alice Diop, Amrita David, Marie Ndiaye – Saint Omer [+] (France)
Best Female Actor
Lua Michel – Alma Viva [+] (Portugal/France/Belgium)
Best Male Actor
Pierfrancesco Favino – Nostalgia [+] (Italy/France)
Best Cinematography
Rui Poças – Alma Viva
Best Original Score
Amine Bouhafa – Alma Viva
Best Costumes
Ursula Patzak – Nostalgia
Best Production Design
Carmine Guarino – Nostalgia
Best Make-up & Hair Design
Marco Perna – Nostalgia
Lifetime Achievement
Marcelle Genovese
Source: Cineuropa