The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) announced the appointment of the new Chair and Co-Chair for its Film and TV Advisory Committee.
Carlos Debattista, a screenwriter, producer, and co-founder of Take//Two, has been appointed Chair. Joining him as Co-Chair is Lara Azzopardi, who brings over three decades of experience in the television and media industry.
This change follows Abigail Mallia’s successful tenure as Chair and Erica Muscat’s service as Co-Chair since the committee’s establishment.
Together, they are “committed to supporting, advocating for, and celebrating Malta’s growing community of filmmakers, producers, and other creative professionals. United by a shared vision, they aim to foster a thriving, sustainable film and TV culture that resonates not only within Malta but also with international audiences,” read a statement from MEIA.
Their priorities, it added, include addressing pressing issues faced by the industry, such as advancing efforts toward a comprehensive national screen policy that aligns stakeholders including PBS, Arts Council Malta, and the Malta Film Commission, develop forward-thinking strategies, creating new opportunities for professional development, promoting the export of local work, fostering an inclusive creative environment, and highlighting Malta’s unique identity through film and television.
The MEIA Executive Committee extended its gratitude to Ms Mallia and Ms Muscat for their dedication and impactful contributions to the committee. The committee now looks forward to collaborating with Mr Debattista and Ms Azzopardi.
Carlos Debattista
Mr Debattista is a screenwriter, producer, and the co-founder of Take//Two. Since entering the industry back in 2006, Mr Debattista has written and produced numerous projects for television, cinema, and the stage. Some of his most notable work includes the sitcom, Deċeduti, as well as two seminal dramas, Gizelle and L-Evanġelisti. He also co-wrote and produced the feature film Limestone Cowboy.
Additionally, the TV drama Merjen has been successfully distributed in the United States and Canada. His commitment to Maltese indigenous film and homegrown art has always been at the forefront of his work.
His latest film project, Castillo, is Malta's official submission to the Academy Awards 2025.
“He has always been very outspoken about the needs and challenges faced by the burgeoning indigenous film industry and he continues to strive towards establishing filmmaking as one of the main pillars of Maltese culture,” added the statement.
Lara Azzopardi
With over three decades of experience in the television and media industry, Ms Azzopardi has been in the arts since the age of seven.
Her journey began with radio programs and hosting children’s TV shows, eventually blossoming into a prolific career on both local television and stage. Raised in a media-centric household, with her mother serving as a producer and presenter, her passion for storytelling was nurtured early on.
An accomplished actress, she has taken on numerous leading roles in a variety of productions, showcasing her talent and dedication to the performing arts. Complementing her hands-on experience is a Master’s degree in film studies from the University of Malta.
She brings a “wealth of knowledge, creativity, and a strong vision to every project she undertakes,” added MEIA.
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