The Malta Mediterranean Film Festival will honor BAFTA-winning writer-director Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Another year, Merry-Go-Lucky) with his first career achievement Golden Bee Award this year.
This honor is awarded “in recognition of a lifetime’s work in the field of cinema,” organizers said Monday. “Leigh, who has received seven Oscar nominations during her career, will also host a masterclass at the second edition of the festival,” which will take place from June 22 to 30 in Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta.
Palme d’Or winning director Leigh will speak to Adrian Wootton, former Acting Director of the British Film Institute and currently CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission.
Last year, StudioCanal acquired the UK rights to Leigh’s secret project Hard truthswith Secrets and lies Star Marianne Jean-Baptiste, marking the first time the distributor has worked with the iconic director. Bleecker Street has acquired the Film4-backed feature for the US
The British and Maltese Film Commissions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for partnership in 2023, with this creative relationship continuing during the festival. The session featuring Leigh will be part of a larger series of masterclasses and panels taking place at the festival, with more details of the line-up to be revealed in the near future.
“This year’s edition of the festival promises to create unmissable moments of connection and celebration within the Mediterranean film industry and beyond, as we look forward to welcoming some of its most acclaimed talents in Malta,” said Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech. “We are honored to present the inaugural Career Achievement Golden Bee Award to Mike Leigh and look forward to discovering the expertise he has acquired throughout his legendary film career.”
