The Film Grain Foundation has recently announced that it was refused public funding for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of Valletta Film Festival resulting in the cancellation of this year’s edition.

They have organised five editions of the Valletta Film Festival since 2015, showcasing over 500 short and feature films at indoor and outdoor venues in various locations in Malta and Gozo.

Since its first edition many local filmmakers found support and motivation to show chase their passion and hard work as well as had the opportunity to learn and meet other professional filmmakers through workshops, Q&As and master classes. The Foundation had invited cinema giants such as directors Alan Parker, Peter Greenaway, Liliana Cavani and the D'Innocenzo Brothers.

The Foundation called on the Government to stop cultural institutions like Valletta Cultural Agency, the Malta Film Commission and others from organising cultural events themselves and to support cultural entrepreneurs, artists and filmmakers to develop events and help them exhibit and/or perform their work.

The Film Grain Foundation symbolises how Malta supports its local talent and this petition is to show what the organisers' hard work means to the Maltese film community and reinstate a form of governmental funding.

To show how we feel about having the place where we encourage one another, where we can proudly show our passion for film to others and help inspire ideas to new filmmakers.

This news breaks all our hearts, we will not let what we love shut down without making our voices heard.