AGP Executive Report

Valletta Hospitality: Iniala Valletta has launched WITHIN, a luxury wellbeing and longevity concept combining medical expertise, personalised treatments and technology. Dedicated suites and residences are planned for 2028. Malta on Stage: Beppe Caruana will represent Malta at Junior Eurovision 2026 with “Blue Bird,” while a packed October events weekend in Malta and Gozo featured music, jewellery and BirguFest. Events as Travel: Speaking at the WTTC summit in Malta, Trip.com’s Edison Chen said concerts and sporting fixtures are increasingly giving travellers a reason to choose a destination.

Film: Scarlett Johansson says recording songs for Brad Bird’s animated sci-fi noir Ray Gunn initially left her feeling embarrassed, though she pushed through the nerves. Maltese Talent: Beppe Caruana will represent Malta at Junior Eurovision 2026 with “Blue Bird.” Local Events: Malta and Gozo’s October line-up brought together jewellery, music and BirguFest. Emerging Filmmaker: Maltese-born Leon Pisani has seen his student film screened at Pinewood Studios as he starts his professional career.

Maltese Filmmaker: Malta-born Leon Pisani has seen his student film screened at Pinewood Studios as he starts his professional career. Film Locations: A new guide spotlights Malta’s screen history, from Mdina’s role in Game of Thrones to Fort Ricasoli’s appearance in Gladiator and the enduring Popeye Village set. Junior Eurovision: Beppe Caruana will represent Malta at JESC 2026 with “Blue Bird.” Local Events: Malta and Gozo’s October events weekend featured jewellery, music and BirguFest. Animation: Brad Bird’s long-awaited Ray Gunn, starring Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, has drawn strong early reviews.

Screen Malta: A new set-jetting guide spotlights Malta’s filming history, from Mdina’s Game of Thrones streets and Fort Ricasoli’s Gladiator scenes to the original Popeye village at Anchor Bay. Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will perform “Blue Bird” at the contest in Malta on October 24; Ireland’s entry, “Níos Láidre,” was co-written by Larissa Tormey. Arts & Events: Malta and Gozo’s October programme includes the Treasures Malta jewellery exhibition, BirguFest and live music, with events running through October 18. Public Broadcasting: Luke Dalli, who already chairs Arts Council Malta, is set to become PBS deputy chairman on the Prime Minister’s Office’s orders, despite reported objections from the minister responsible for the broadcaster.

Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will represent the country with “Blue Bird” at the contest on October 24. Ireland’s entry, “Níos Láidre”, was co-written by songwriter Larissa Tormey and will also be performed in Malta. Public Broadcasting: The Shift reports that Luke Dalli is set to become PBS deputy chairman on the Prime Minister’s Office’s orders, despite objections from the minister responsible for the broadcaster. Arts & Events: Gozo’s Treasures Malta jewellery exhibition runs until October 18, while BirguFest brings gospel and soul music to St Lawrence Church. Valletta Spotlight: A new boutique hotel in a historic palazzo is drawing attention to the capital’s heritage, crafts and cuisine.

Junior Eurovision: Irish songwriter Larissa Tormey co-wrote “Níos Láidre,” which Naomi Gribben and Caleb Kirwan will perform at the Malta-hosted contest on October 24. Malta’s own Beppe Caruana will compete with “Blue Bird.” Arts & Events: Treasures Malta, an international jewellery exhibition in Gozo, runs until October 18, alongside BirguFest and a weekend of music events. Film: Brad Bird’s animated noir Ray Gunn premiered at the London Film Festival; it reaches cinemas on December 4 and Netflix on December 18. Broadcasting: The Shift reports that Luke Dalli is set to become PBS deputy chairman on the Prime Minister’s Office’s orders, despite objections from the minister responsible for the broadcaster.

Junior Eurovision: Westmeath songwriter Larissa Tormey co-wrote Ireland’s entry, “Níos Láidre”, for Naomi Gribben and Caleb Kirwan to perform in Malta on October 24. Malta’s own Beppe Caruana will compete with “Blue Bird”. Arts & Events: Gozo’s Treasures Malta jewellery exhibition runs until October 18, while BirguFest brought gospel and soul music to St Lawrence Church. Film: Brad Bird’s animated sci-fi noir Ray Gunn premiered at the London Film Festival. Early reviews praise its striking visuals and voice cast, though some found its story uneven. It reaches cinemas on December 4 and Netflix on December 18.

Valletta Heritage: A historic palazzo turned boutique hotel is drawing attention to the city’s past, from 16th-century commander Mathurin Romègas to Malta’s craft traditions. Arts & Events: Gozo’s Treasures Malta jewellery exhibition runs until 18 October, while BirguFest brings gospel music to St Lawrence Church and adds to a busy weekend across the islands. Junior Eurovision: Beppe Caruana will represent Malta with “Blue Bird” at the 2026 contest.

PBS Appointment: The Office of the Prime Minister has ordered Luke Dalli’s appointment as deputy chairman of PBS, The Shift reports, despite objections from the minister responsible for the broadcaster. Dalli already chairs Arts Council Malta and sits on another public board. Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will perform “Blue Bird” at the contest’s final on 24 October, where Malta is ninth in the running order. The show at the MFCC features 16 acts. Eurovision: Maltese singer MATT BLXCK finished eighth with “Ejja lejja ħdejja ‘l hawn” in the OGAE Second Chance Contest, won by Italy’s Ditonellapiaga. Valletta: Malta’s capital placed fifth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ ranking of the world’s best cities.

Valletta’s Luxury Scene: Iniala Valletta unveiled WITHIN, a new wellbeing concept, alongside plans for a palazzo development featuring international design and fashion collaborations. Cultural Exchange: Maltese and Irish performers joined an event in Portlaoise celebrating the countries’ ties, with harp music, a school choir and poetry. Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will perform “Blue Bird” ninth in the 16-act final at the MFCC on October 24, as the island hosts the contest for the third time. Eurovision Fans: Malta’s MATT BLXCK placed eighth with “Ejja lejja ħdejja ‘l hawn” in the OGAE Second Chance Contest, won by Italy’s Ditonellapiaga. Valletta in the Spotlight: The capital ranked fifth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ choice of the world’s best cities.

Junior Eurovision: Malta will host the 2026 final at the MFCC on 24 October, with 16 acts competing. Malta’s Beppe Caruana will perform “Blue Bird” in ninth place; the Netherlands opens the show and Spain closes it. Maltese Music Abroad: Malta’s ambassador to Ireland, Fiona Jayne Formosa, joined a cultural exchange in County Laois, where local harpists and a school choir performed and Maltese residents shared their stories. Eurovision Fans: Italy’s Ditonellapiaga won the OGAE Second Chance Contest with 318 points. Malta’s MATT BLXCK finished eighth with “Ejja lejja ħdejja ‘l hawn.”

Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will represent the host nation at the contest on October 24 after winning The Voice Kids Malta. His entry, “Blue Bird,” was written and produced by Matt Blxck, Matthew James and Muxu. Valletta in the spotlight: The capital ranked fifth in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ poll of the world’s best cities, placing behind Bangkok, Paris, Istanbul and Rome. The top 10 also included Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and Amsterdam.

Junior Eurovision: Malta’s Beppe Caruana will represent the host nation at Junior Eurovision 2026 on October 24 with “Blue Bird”, after winning The Voice Kids Malta. Ireland has also named Dublin teenager Caleb Kirwin as its entrant, adding to the build-up for the contest on home soil. Screen: Malta has selected Żejtune as its contender for the 2027 Oscars, putting a local film in the international spotlight. Cruise Entertainment: MSC has revealed the show lineup for its new ship, MSC World Asia, including four new theatrical productions and live music from 33 musicians. The ship’s seven-night Mediterranean routes will call at Valletta.

Malta on the Oscar Trail: Malta has selected Żejtune as its contender for the 2027 Academy Awards’ international feature film category. Junior Eurovision: Ireland has chosen Dublin teenager Caleb Kirwin to represent the country at Junior Eurovision in Malta, putting the island in the spotlight as host. October Events: Malta’s calendar mixes cultural events with motorsport, while the Rolex Middle Sea Race is set to start in Malta on 17 October. Streaming Costs: Apple has raised the price of its Family subscription bundle in Malta; the Individual plan is unchanged.

Women’s Football: Hasaacas Ladies will face Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the 2026 Women’s Champion of Champions after both won their respective titles—Hasaacas lifted the Women’s FA Cup on penalties, while Ampem Darkoa secured the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League. The showdown is set for Friday, October 16, 2026, in Kumasi. Malta Sports & Media: Woya Digital and Fleet Street News have teamed up with UM Wolves RFC for a season-long SEO and digital PR partnership aimed at boosting the club’s online presence and community reach. Malta Tech & Music: Notey has closed a €3M seed round led by Tivoli Ventures and Malta Venture Capital, with a Malta Enterprise grant, and is expanding via a distribution partnership with Telemach across the Balkans—turning music practice into a game. Travel & Lifestyle: Silversea unveiled its 2028/29 voyage collection with 103 itineraries across 56 countries, including Mediterranean sailings with overnight calls in Valletta. Apple Prices: Apple One Family and Premier plans have risen in Malta and several other European countries, with new sign-ups hit immediately and existing users seeing changes at renewal.

Nations League Football: Portugal stayed perfect in Group A4 with Gonçalo Ramos firing them past Norway 2-1, keeping the quarter-final spot in sight as Greece and Germany also traded points in the wider round. Music Publishing: Reservoir Media has signed Ivor Novello winner Orla Gartland for future works, including her Apple TV’s Trying season five soundtrack material. Malta Tech & Music Education: Notey closed a €3M seed round, with a Malta Enterprise grant and a distribution partnership with Telemach across the Balkans—turning music practice into a game. Local Culture & Arts: Malta’s October calendar is spotlighted for culture and motorsport, while a second Cannes-Malta Race preview points to a growing Mediterranean sailing link. Media & Online Safety: Parliament President Roberta Metsola says deepfake porn sites targeted dozens of MEPs, with an EU ban on non-consensual AI imagery due to kick in on Dec 2. Apple Services: Apple One Family and Premier prices rise in Malta and several other European countries. Sports & Malta: A parasailing tragedy in Malta saw a former RAF officer die and his wife injured.