Maltese Short Film Stations of the Cross Takes Top Prize at Hollywood Festival
In a major triumph for independent 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 Festival in Los Angeles.
Filmed entirely on location in Gozo, beside the revered Ta’ Pinu sanctuary, the film has captivated international audiences with its meditative visuals, minimalist storytelling, and profound spiritual depth. The award marks a career high for Ristovic, a Serbia-born filmmaker who has called Malta home for over a decade.
Held annually in California, the Hard Faith™ Film Festival celebrates bold, transformative works that explore spirituality, endurance, and inner transformation. Stations of the Cross was one of a select few international finalists, earning its U.S. premiere alongside entries from around the globe.
Photo credit: Kimberly Anne Hall
“This is a deeply personal victory,” said Ristovic. “This film wasn’t made with funding or a crew of dozens. It was made with conviction, with the spirit of Gozo, and with the belief that small stories can reach far.”
The win comes after an impressive international festival run. Stations of the Cross has already received multiple accolades, including:
- Best International Short at the Washington DC International Cinema Festival
- Best Religion & Faith Short Film at the Roma Short Film Festival
- A national television broadcast on TVM during Holy Week 2025
- Selection at several Canadian Screen Award-qualifying festivals
- Entry into the BAFTA-qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival
- Screenings across Europe, Russia, Canada, and South Africa
What sets Stations of the Cross apart is its unconventional approach to religious themes. With almost no dialogue, the film follows a symbolic journey of suffering 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.
“I feel amazing,” he shared. “I didn’t expect to win, but after the screening, when the audience nearly gave a standing ovation, I felt deeply encouraged. I loved the people I met. There’s a strong community here that welcomed and supported my filmmaking.”
This marks the director’s fifth and final short film, as he now looks toward the next chapter.
“This is the end of a phase for me. My next step is to begin working on my first feature film. Some of the filmmakers I met in the U.S. were genuinely impressed by my work, and I’ve already started conversations about potential collaborations with U.S.-based productions.”
Ristovic also took a moment to dedicate the award:
“I dedicate this award to my daughter, Doroteja. And I sincerely thank everyone who supported me, especially my wife, Tania. Without her generous support, none of this would have been possible.”
He extended a special thanks to the Hard Faith™ Film Festival team and its director Spencer Folmar, who welcomed him into the world of faith-based cinema:
“I didn’t know anything about this genre before. But Spencer and the whole festival team opened the door for me, and I’m grateful.”
Cast:
- Aleksa Ristovic
- Tiana Formosa
- Doroteja Ristovic
- Thomas Andersen
Music: Santiago Bianchi
With Stations of the Cross now recognised on the world stage, Ristovic stands as one of Malta’s most successful independent filmmakers, proof that stories rooted in silence, spirituality, and place can echo across the globe.
Photo credit: Kimberly Anne Hall
