After a successful festival journey across four continents and multiple international awards, the Malta-Ghana co-production Cookie Box today had its world online premiere on the British streaming platform Minute Shorts.
This marks the first time global audiences are able to watch the acclaimed short film, written, directed and produced by Malta-based film-maker Adam Żurawiecki (aka Youngcassette).
The 22-minute picture follows Palesa, a graduate occupational therapist who migrated to Malta and works as a hospital cleaner while hiding a past marked by domestic violence. When she meets Maria, a fully paralysed patient whose condition may not be accidental, Palesa risks everything to follow her true calling.
“As a director and writer, I am passionate about exploring the symbolic borderlines where cultures clash, and new possibilities emerge,” Żurawiecki said.
“Cinema should ask questions, not offer comfortable answers. I created Cookie Box to approach difficult subjects in an engaging and accessible way and to give voice to experiences that deserve deeper attention.”
A Malta-created film reaching the world
Cookie Box had its world cinematic premiere at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Valletta in 2024 and went on to win the Golden Knight Award at the 62nd Golden Knight International Film Festival later that year.
The production stars Clive Brincat as director of photography, and actors Frida Cauchi, Mikhail Basmadjian, Joe Tanti and Nicholas Jackman, with an original score by Alessio Aragona.
The film also stars Ghanaian actress Joyce Everest, and includes contributions from creative teams across Poland, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, India, Lebanon, Mozambique and the UK.
Its visual identity was shaped by Maltese cinematographer Brincat. He brought not only his artistic eye and skill but also production support and equipment. His work can be followed on http://clivedp.com and IG: @clivebrincatdp.
Director Żurawiecki relocated to Malta over six years ago and has been an active contributor to the local cultural scene, including creative workshops with teenagers at the Gozo Film Festivals in past years. In 2025, he served as a jury member for the 63rd Golden Knight International Film Festival, after winning the Golden Knight Award in 2024 with Cookie Box. His work can be explored at www.youngcassette.com and IG: @youngcassette.
Awards and festival selections
Cookie Box represented Malta at 12 international festivals across four continents, receiving multiple awards, including:
- Globe Award − Best International Short, Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Nigeria, 2024; (One of the top 3 African festivals alongside Durban and FESPACO)
- Golden Knight Award, Malta, 2024
- Best director award, Accra Indie Film Festival, Ghana, 2024
- Best producer award, PISF Euroshorts, Poland, 2024
Notable selections and invitations include:
- LA Shorts (Oscar qualifying), Los Angeles, US, 2024
- Barcelona Indie Awards, Spain, 2025 (Best Short Nomination)
- European Film Festival, Algiers, Algeria, 2025 (alongside Luzzu, represented Malta by invitation from the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Ouaga Côté Court, Burkina Faso, 2025
- Festival Internacional de Curtas, 35 Kino Forum, São Paulo, Brazil, 2024
- Gozo Film Festival, Victoria, Malta, 2024
- Mediterranean Film Festival, Valletta, Malta, 2024
- Black Star, Accra, Ghana, 2024
For more information about the film, visit www.cookieboxfilm.com or its Facebook and IG accounts.