Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537832
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 JULY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 He explained that the investment will enable the factory to boost its production capacity to 350 ketchup bottles per min- ute, equivalent to around 11 to 12 tonnes per hour, placing the company among Europe's top five tomato processors. The new bottling system will be operat- ed by specialised staff and fully integrat- ed within the factory's existing facilities, maximising use of space and enhancing production efficiency. In a statement, Agius Saliba described the investment as a strong example of business diversification and internation- al ambition. He highlighted the compa- ny's integration of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies in its production line, saying it reflects the di- rection local enterprises should take to increase output, support local agricul- ture, and generate high-quality employ- ment. "This is a prime example of a compa- ny diversifying and expanding its opera- tions with the goal of reaching interna- tional markets. All this aligns with the government's policy of creating quality jobs, promoting environmental con- sciousness, and adopting digital methods to ensure Malta remains competitive in the economy of the future," Agius Saliba said. New bottling system part of a €12.5 million expansion Chairman John Magro made the announcement during a visit by Labour Party deputy leader for party affairs Alex Agius Saliba to the Magro Food Village in Xewkija (Photo: Labour Party) Gozo-set film takes centre stage at LA film festival IN a major triumph for inde- pendent Maltese cinema, the short film Stations of the Cross, directed by Aleksa Ristovic, has won Best Experimental Film at this year's Hard Faith Film Festi- val in Los Angeles. Filmed entirely on location in Gozo, beside the revered Ta' Pinu sanctuary, the film has cap- tivated international audiences with its meditative visuals, min- imalist storytelling, and pro- found spiritual depth. The award marks a career high for Ristovic, a Serbia-born filmmaker who has called Malta home for over a dec- ade. Held annually in California, the Hard Faith™ Film Festival cele- brates bold, transformative works that explore spirituality, endur- ance, and inner transformation. Stations of the Cross was one of a select few international finalists, earning its U.S. premiere along- side entries from around the globe. The win comes after an impres- sive international festival run. Stations of the Cross has already received multiple accolades, in- cluding: • Best International Short at the Washington DC Inter- national Cinema Festival • Best Religion & Faith Short Film at the Roma Short Film Festival • A national television broad- cast on TVM during Holy Week 2025 • Selection at several Cana- dian Screen Award-qualify- ing festivals • Entry into the BAF- TA-qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival • Screenings across Europe, Russia, Canada, and South Africa What sets Stations of the Cross apart is its unconventional ap- proach to religious themes. With almost no dialogue, the film fol- lows a symbolic journey of suf- fering and redemption. The stark Gozitan landscape becomes a character of its own, reflecting the interior life of the protagonist. Ristovic, who traveled to Los Angeles entirely self-funded and without institutional support, represented Malta on his own terms. Cast includes, Aleksa Ristovic, Tiana Formosa, Doroteja Ristovic and Thomas Anderson. With music by Santiago Bianchi. With Stations of the Cross now recognised on the world stage, Ristovic stands as one of Mal- ta's most successful independent filmmakers—proof that stories rooted in silence, spirituality, and place can echo across the globe. Aleksa Ristovic (left), traveled to Los Angeles entirely self-funded and without institutional support, represented Malta