After a strong run across festivals in the US, UK and Europe, the screening marks a kind of homecoming for the film, which will be shown as part of the festival’s Local Short Films 2 programme. Gatt will be there in person, joined by international co-producer and mentor Yorgo Glynatsis, for a Q&A with the audience straight after the screening.

Decode Me has picked up steady international attention since its release, with 12 official festival selections, four award nominations, and one win,  including the Woman Filmmaker Award at the Utah International Film Festival.

At its core, the film is a psychological drama about an autistic programmer navigating identity, masking, and self-acceptance. It draws directly from Gatt’s own experience as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, which gives the story its personal edge.

The project is very much a Maltese-led effort. Alongside Gatt’s direction, writing and production, the film features cinematography by Maltese-British DoP Kris Brady. The visual design was created by Mattia Scicluna (whose work has also appeared on Drag Race UK), with hair and make-up by Sandra De Gaetano, known for her work on Napoleon and Vogue. Behind-the-scenes photography comes from Andrew Mizzi, who has worked with brands like Google and Meta.

It’s a Maltese/British co-production supported by Arts Council Malta and Aki Studio London, and brings together both local and international collaborators — including BAFTA-qualified filmmaker Yorgo Glynatsis, producer Arnaldo Stafa, and the team at Aki Studio London.

The cast includes Mia Foo (Baldur’s Gate 3) and Megan Placito, winner of Best Actress at the National Film Awards in the UK.

For the team, the Mediterrane Film Festival screening feels like a meaningful milestone: the first time the film is being shown to a Maltese audience after its international journey.

And as a final touch, the post-screening Q&A will include a small teaser about upcoming developments for Decode Me, something the team is keeping under wraps for now.