Introducing Matteo Caruana Bond, Malta’s 2025 representative in the Young Talent Programme
Another edition of the the LUX Audience Award Young Talent Programme
The LUX Audience Award season is upon us, and that means that it’s time for another edition of the the LUX Audience Award Young Talent Programme!
This programme offers an exciting opportunity for young professionals in the film industry, as it aims at training and engaging 27 young cinema professionals — representing all EU Member States — to support the promotion of the LUX Audience Award and the core values of the European Union through European cinema.
Each year, the European Parliament Liaison Offices select one young professional per EU country through this open application process promoted among European cinemas from various exhibitors’ organisations.
Malta’s chosen young professional this year is Matteo Caruana Bond, a Maltese freelance actor with over 20 years of performing arts experience, spanning international films and local television productions. Recently trained at The Art of Acting Studio, Matteo continues to refine his craft and expand his versatility as a performer. With a strong foundation in theatre and screen work, he is set to take on a main role in an upcoming TV show and aims to thrive as a dynamic actor and creative.
Along with other young talents from around the EU, Matteo visited Strasbourg this week for informative sessions with key partners, stakeholders, and relevant film organisations (filmmakers, distributors, producers, critics, etc.) about the European Parliament and the LUX Audience Award. He was also present at the ceremony on Tuesday evening when this year’s shortlisted films for the LUX Audience Award were announced, in the presence of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
LUX Audience Award 2026
In her speech during the ceremony, President Metsola emphasized that cinema is part of who we are as Europeans, and that the selected films embody the European Parliament’s commitment to defending democracy, freedom, and diversity. In her view, the LUX Audience Award helps bring European cinema closer to people “wherever they live,” giving citizens an opportunity to see Europe “from a different perspective.”
Matteo had the unique opportunity of meeting and conversing with the President, as well as with the other five Maltese MEPs: Peter Agius, Alex Agius Saliba, Daniel Attard, Thomas Bajada and David Casa.
