About
The Cospicua Short Play Festival began in 2018 with a vision to create a strong cultural project that would leave a lasting impact on both the local community and Malta’s artistic scene.
Our Story
The initiative was launched by the Cospicua Local Council, together with then Mayor Alison Zerafa Civelli (now Parliamentary Secretary), after securing funding to develop an ambitious community-based arts project. The idea for the festival was created by two Cospicua-born artists, Joseph Galea and Pierre Bugeja, who from a young age have actively contributed to and been involved in various organisations within Cospicua.
What started as a local initiative has grown into an important annual event, recognised not only within the community but also as part of Malta’s cultural and theatrical calendar. In 2020, the festival was recognised by the Arts Council Malta as a model of a high-quality artistic community initiative within the Port Region strategy. In 2025, the festival received the Arts Award for Best Community Project, recognising its outstanding contribution to culture and community engagement.
Our Festival
The Cospicua Short Play Festival celebrates original theatre by providing a platform for writers, directors and actors to create, experiment and showcase their work.
Each edition brings together a diverse range of short plays, offering audiences the opportunity to experience different styles, themes and approaches to theatre in unique and historic locations across Cospicua.
Beyond the performances themselves, the festival aims to strengthen the connection between art and community, making theatre more accessible while encouraging greater participation in Malta’s cultural life.
Our Impact
2025
The Cospicua Short Play Festival receives the Arts Award for Best Community Project, recognising its cultural and community impact.
Strengthening the Local Community
The festival continues to create a strong cultural impact within Cospicua. Each year, audience numbers continue to grow, with visitors and residents appreciating the unique atmosphere created by performances held in some of the locality’s most historic areas.
The festival takes place in one of the oldest parts of Cospicua, an area that survived the Second World War and has retained much of its character and heritage. These distinctive venues provide audiences with a memorable theatrical experience that connects history, place and storytelling.
Engaging the Community
The involvement of Cospicua residents continues to grow every year. The festival has encouraged greater interest in the arts and exposed the community to a variety of theatrical styles and genres.
Many residents have also become actively involved behind the scenes, supporting productions and gaining a deeper understanding of the creativity, teamwork and dedication required to bring theatre to life.
Supporting Maltese Theatre
The festival has made a significant contribution to Malta’s theatre landscape by providing opportunities for emerging artists to develop their skills and gain valuable experience.
Over the years, many writers, directors and actors who are now established within the local theatre scene had some of their earliest experiences through the Cospicua Short Play Festival.
Between 2019 and 2022, five original short plays presented during the festival were published in a book by Merlin Publishers. This publication went on to win the National Book Prize in the Drama category, while author Lon Kirkop received the award for Best Emerging Author. This remains one of the festival’s most important long-term achievements and its lasting legacy.
Our Team
Bormla Local Council
Marco Agius
Mayor
Noyah Spiteri Hammett
Deputy Mayor
Martin Emmanuel Vella
Councillor
Rita Gatt
Councillor
Glauber Spiteri
Councillor
Crystal Degabriele
Executive Secretary
Staff
Ramona Falzon Gatt
Iana Farrugia
Roderick Mamo
Ivan Zammit
Maria Gerada
Artistic Team
Joseph Galea
Pierre Bugeja
Audrey Rose Mizzi
Our Vision
The future vision of the Cospicua Short Play Festival is to continue expanding its reach by becoming more inclusive and internationally connected.
The festival aims to develop new collaborations with cultural organisations and festivals, creating opportunities for multidisciplinary artistic projects and bringing together artists from different creative fields.
In the years ahead, the festival will continue working towards bringing communities closer to the arts, increasing cultural accessibility and creating meaningful experiences through theatre.
Our Key Milestones
2026 and Beyond
The festival continues to grow, developing new artistic collaborations and strengthening its role as a platform for theatre, creativity and community engagement.
2025
The Cospicua Short Play Festival receives the Arts Award for Best Community Project, recognising its cultural and community impact.
2020
The festival is recognised by Arts Council Malta as a model of a high-quality artistic community initiative within the Port Region strategy.
2019–2022
Original short plays from the festival are selected for publication by Merlin Publishers.
2018
The Cospicua Short Play Festival is launched as a community cultural project by the Cospicua Local Council, based on the vision of artists Joseph Galea and Pierre Bugeja.