Waiting to Hear from Julia

Waiting to Hear from Julia is a Maltese-language feature film in pre-production, directed by Shirley Spiteri Mintoff. The intimate drama follows Matteo Dimech, a chauffeur for the Maltese Prime Minister, living in quiet torment following his wife Julia's death. Set during the early days of Malta's COVID-19 lockdown, the film explores grief, guilt, and isolation as Matteo receives mysterious messages from his dead wife's phone. Mark Doneo wrote the script and stars as the lead character. Stanley Agius and Spiteri Mintoff are producing through Motion Blur, with support from Arts Council Malta's Screen Support Scheme (€347,000) and the Malta Film Commission's 40 percent cash rebate. The film is scheduled to shoot over 25 days in 2027 across multiple Maltese locations including Marsaxlokk, Għargħur, Valletta's Auberge de Castille, and Cefalù in Sicily, Italy. Post-production will follow in late 2027, with an international festival premiere targeted for year-end.