Most people do not realise that Malta is home to one of the longest-running film festivals in the world. The Golden Knight Malta International Short Film Festival has been screening the best of international short film since 1962, and on Saturday, 28 November 2026, it returns to Valletta for its 64th edition.
Organised by the Malta Cine Circle, the festival showcases over 300 short films from more than 40 countries, with the best entries awarded the prestigious Golden Knight trophy. It is a celebration of independent filmmaking that has quietly built an international reputation over more than six decades.
Event Details
- Event: 64th Golden Knight Malta International Short Film Festival
- Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
- Venue: The Malta Experience, St Elmo Bastions, Mediterranean Street, Valletta
- Organised by: Malta Cine Circle
- Website: goldenknightmalta.org
- Awards: Golden Knight trophy and certificate for the top five entries
- Admission: Check goldenknightmalta.org for details
What to Expect
The Golden Knight is a short film festival in its purest form. Films are capped at 30 minutes and span a wide range of genres and styles, from animation and documentary to drama, comedy, horror, and experimental work. Entries come from independent filmmakers, film school students, and commercial productions worldwide.
The festival screens its programme in a single day, creating an intensive, immersive experience that takes audiences through dozens of short films from across the globe. The jury awards the Golden Knight trophy to the top five entries, alongside highly commended certificates for standout work.
For filmmakers, the Golden Knight is a respected platform with a 64-year track record. For audiences, it is a rare opportunity to see the kind of short-form storytelling that never makes it to mainstream cinema screens.
The Venue: The Malta Experience
The screening takes place at The Malta Experience, housed within the historic St Elmo Bastions on Mediterranean Street in Valletta. The venue offers an atmospheric setting for a film festival — a modern theatre built into 16th-century fortifications at the very tip of the Valletta peninsula.
The Malta Experience is approximately a 10-minute walk from The Embassy Valletta Hotel on Strait Street.
A History Worth Knowing
Founded in 1962 by the Malta Cine Circle, the Golden Knight is one of the oldest continuously running short film festivals in the world. That places it alongside festivals like Oberhausen (Germany, founded 1954) and Clermont-Ferrand (France, founded 1982) in the global pantheon of short film events.
For a country the size of Malta to have sustained an international film festival for over six decades is a remarkable achievement, and one that speaks to the island’s deep, if often overlooked, connection to the world of filmmaking. Malta has served as a filming location for major productions from Gladiator and Troy to Game of Thrones and Jurassic World Dominion, and the Golden Knight is part of the same creative ecosystem that makes the island attractive to international film.
Where to Stay
The Malta Experience is in the heart of Valletta, making the capital the natural base for festival visitors. At The Embassy Valletta Hotel on Strait Street, you are a 10-minute walk from the venue. Combine the festival with dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge for a complete evening in the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Golden Knight Film Festival 2026?
Saturday, 28 November 2026, at The Malta Experience, St Elmo Bastions, Valletta.
What kind of films are screened?
Short films of up to 30 minutes, spanning all genres — drama, comedy, animation, documentary, horror, experimental, and more. Entries come from independent filmmakers, film students, and commercial productions from over 40 countries.
How long has the festival been running?
Since 1962. The 2026 edition is the 64th, making it one of the longest-running short film festivals in the world.
Who organises the festival?
The Malta Cine Circle, a Maltese film enthusiast organisation that has been running the festival since its founding.
How far is the venue from The Embassy Valletta Hotel?
A 10-minute walk. The Malta Experience is at St Elmo Bastions on Mediterranean Street, at the tip of the Valletta peninsula.
Is this suitable for casual filmgoers?
Yes. Short films are accessible by nature — each one is a self-contained story in under 30 minutes. The variety of genres and countries represented means there is something for everyone, and the single-day format makes it easy to dip in and out.