The NGO Kinemastik will be hosting a series of activities and special events around Valletta and Floriana in the run-up to the Kinemastik International Short Film Festival, which is being held for the eighth consecutive year.

Kinemastik collaborates with international festivals and filmmakers to bring to our shores a selection of incredible films and directors to experience Malta and meet local residents. The NGO seeks to link young filmmakers in Malta to the world of cinema and provide them with a platform for their work, through local screenings as well as through worldwide distribution of locally produced work.

Addressing a press conference at Auberge d’Italie in Valletta yesterday, Tourism, the Environment and Culture Minister Mario de Marco said the Kinemastik festival is not limited to two days, as a number of events will be held between 27 July and 5 August. This is another in a series of numerous cultural events held in open-air venues and spaces over the summer months, he said, noting that the Malta Arts Festival drew to a close on Wednesday, and the Malta Jazz Festival is currently under way.

Dr de Marco said Kinemastik is one of the beneficiaries of the Malta Arts Fund, which is aimed at investing in artists, helping them transform their ideas into reality.

Kinemastik president Slavko Vukanovic said the NGO picks unique venues such as the “incomparable” Grand Harbour, always moving away from the conventional. Kinemastik aspires to grow into one of the most important film festivals in the Mediterranean, he said, adding that the NGO also plays an educational role. In fact, this year’s events include workshops and talks on film direction.

The festival programme kicks off on Friday 27 July with a joint exhibition by British photographer and Deejay Ali Tollervey and East London-based collective Bare Bones. Cocooned by the concrete structures of the subway underpass near the Porte des Bombes gate in Floriana, photographic images from Tollervey’s ongoing collaborative project with British band Dark Horses will be on display and for sale to the public. The exhibition will also feature drawings especially created for the event by Bare Bones, a collective of artists and writers that self-publish a free newspaper which is distributed in London and Paris.

Bare Bones’ artwork will be available to purchase on the night, as will posters from previous editions of the festival, illustrated by Maltese artist Chris Bianchi. The exhibition will be followed by the festival’s opening party, with an exciting line-up of local and international deejays, including London electronica artist Capitol K, Uncle Al from Brighton and local deejay Danjeli.

Dark Horses will be giving an exclusive performance on Saturday 28 July at the Floriana Ditch (next to Porte des Bombes). The event starts at 8pm. Previously supporting renowned bands of the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Kasabian, Dark Horses will be launching their debut album. Their performance will be preceded by Capitol K’s solo act, and local band Dolls For Idols. Tickets (selling at €10 euro for early birds) are available at St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity, Valletta, and online through St James Cavalier ticket office.

British film director Wiz will hold a series of workshops and talks on film direction. Wiz has made a number of music videos for a string of world-renowned artists, including David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Massive Attack, Oasis, Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Dizzee Rascal. The events will take place at the British Legion, in Valletta from 31 July to 2 August. Wiz’s work will be screened at 7.30pm on Tuesday 31 July, and will be followed by a Q&A session.

A second screening will be held on Wednesday 1 August at 7.30pm, while the workshop will take place on Thursday 2 August from 3pm to 5pm. The event will conclude with the projection of works created during the workshop. For more information, or to book a place, email [email protected].

Kinemastik is also giving audiences the opportunity to attend a master-class with American filmmaker and artist Matt Lambert. Currently based in Berlin, Matt Lambert is a filmmaker, artist and head of video for London-based, multidisciplinary art collective, Bare Bones. He is also actively operating out of Los Angeles, New York and London. Matt also acts as Editor-at-Large of Motionographer as well as a contributor to other industry publications and lecturer at various universities, art/design/film festivals and conferences around the world.

A screening of Lambert’s work will be followed by a talk by the filmmaker himself and Q&A session. The event will be held on 3 August at 7.30pm at the British Legion, in Valletta.

Kinemastik also seeks to link young filmmakers in Malta to the world of cinema and provide them with a platform for their work, through local screenings as well as through the exhibition of their work. This year the NGO is giving eight teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, the chance to attend a three-day documentary workshop with Carla MacKinnon at St James Cavalier, from 1 to 3 August.

Carla has been producing international film festivals, curating arts programmes and creating illustrative and moving-image work for over 10 years. The course is designed to provide a detailed practical guide to producing a short documentary, from development through to production. To apply, or for more information, email [email protected]. The course is free, but spaces are limited.

Kinemastik has a special selection of films exclusively for kids. The Kinemastik Children’s Film Festival will take place on 5 August from 8.30pm to 9.15pm at the Herbert Ganado Gardens. Comprising of a carefully curated selection of films and animations designed to pique the interest of kids and adults alike. This year, children (and adults) will meet a colourful array of characters including a pink meteorite, a lonely bear, a wet skateboarder, and John Lennon.

The actual Kinemastik International Short Film Festival will be held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August at the Herbert Ganado Gardens, Floriana. This two-day open-air event will showcase Maltese and International filmmaking talent. A variety of short films, covering a wide variety of genres and styles, will be competing for the much sought-after Jury prize, the Kinemastik Golden Dot. The jury will be comprised of directors Wiz, Carla MacKinnon, Matt Lambert and local filmmaker Kenneth Scicluna, but the public will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite film. The festival’s opening night will be followed by an after-party at The Lido in Marsamxett, Valletta, where international deejays Capitol K, Phil Adams, Uncle Al and Dj Abu will be playing an eclectic selection of music.

The following are Kinemastik’s sponsors: Sundance channel, Melita Cable, The British Council, Electrofix, Farsons, Ecabs, Marks & Spencer, Aldo, ŻiguŻajg, The Malta Arts Fund, MEDIA Desk Malta, The Malta Film Commission, Saracino’s Café, AP+, The Mediterranean Film Studios, St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Malta Tourism Authority and Malta Contemporary Art.