Behind ŻEJTUNE: Cast and crew speak out on representation, humour, and homegrown cinema

As anticipation builds for Alex Camilleri’s sophomore feature ‘ŻEJTUNE’, the Maltese film has achieved a significant milestone by securing a world sales deal with Berlin-based company Films Boutique, known for backing internationally acclaimed titles.

Following the global success of Luzzu, which was Malta’s official submission to the 94th Academy Awards and earned accolades at Sundance, ŻEJTUNE marks the next chapter in Mr Camilleri’s directorial journey. Set in Malta and starring Michela Farrugia and Nenu Borg, the film follows the story of Mar, a woman set on selling her inherited farmland before an encounter with an 80-year-old folk singer alters her course.

Speaking to BusinessNow.mt, Mr Camilleri expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with Films Boutique: “I’ve long admired Films Boutique for their commitment to powerful, original cinema, so it’s a real honour to have ŻEJTUNE join their slate. World sales were critical to LUZZU’s reach and impact, and I’m hopeful that with Films Boutique’s support, ŻEJTUNE can resonate with audiences around the world, too.”

Producer and Pellikola Founder Oliver Mallia echoed this sentiment, underlining the strategic value of this collaboration for Malta’s growing film industry.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Films Boutique. Their track record and understanding of distinctive, director-driven cinema make them an ideal partner for Żejtune. We’re hopeful that this collaboration will be fruitful for both the film and Maltese cinema more broadly.”

Lead actor Michela Farrugia, who also worked on Luzzu, offered insights into the production experience and the cultural significance of the film.
“The filming process was really fun! We changed location nearly every day. Working with Nenu was really special, and getting to work so closely with Alex again taught me a lot. The crew was not only incredibly good at what they did, but they created a fun, safe environment.”

Ms Farrugia also highlighted the importance of home-grown storytelling in the Maltese context.
“I’m very proud of this work. Għana is very close to my heart – it’s so cheeky, a characteristic that I associate with Maltese humour – it’s how we show affection. I think it’s very important that we create local stories, because we don’t only deserve, but we need to see ourselves represented on screen. I hope that this achievement inspires other film makers; writers, directors and actors to pursue local stories and keep at it. I hope it encourages growth in local audiences.”

Films Boutique’s involvement places ŻEJTUNE on the international map, following in the footsteps of major titles like The Seed of the Sacred Fig, which competed for the Palme d’Or and received a Golden Globe nomination. As Malta’s film industry continues to mature, ŻEJTUNE represents both a creative and commercial milestone – one that underscores the global potential of Maltese narratives.