The film tells of the personal relationship with Mathew’s late Maltese grandfather. Filming took place in Western Sydney in January 2025 and concluded in Malta in June 2025, marking a deeply symbolic collaboration between the two countries.
Nannu stars well known Maltese actor and two-time Malta TV Awards nominee Henry Zammit Cordina (L-Għarusa, Ħbieb u Għedewwa, Bizzilla, Il-Klinika) and Film Critics Circle of Australia award winner and AACTA-nominee actress Frances Duca (Ali’s Wedding) and introduces nine-year-old newcomer Henry Stoakes.
Rounding out the cast is Karina Summers, Mark Andrew, Nathan Camilleri and Charlie Cortis. The film is co-produced by Vella, Duca, Zammit Cordina, and Luke Agius (The Undesirables, Go Figure).
A rare Malta-Australia co-production, Nannu explores themes of intergenerational identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience.
At its heart, Nannu is a story about how love and legacy survive across generations, even when traditions shift. A newly released promotional poster captures the film’s unique metaphor: eating pastizzi with tomato sauce; a controversial food pairing in Malta but a familiar staple for Maltese children raised in Australia.
“In Malta, dipping pastizzi in tomato sauce is unthinkable. But Aussie kids eat everything with sauce, meat pies, sausage rolls, you name it,” says director Matthew C. Vella.
“We’re using this clash of culinary customs as a metaphor for how traditions change through immigration. It’s a bit cheeky, a bit controversial, but ultimately about how culture and legacy adapts and lives on.”
This project was funded by Arts Council Malta, Blacktown Arts as part of the 2024 Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund Program and sponsored by Gato's Pastizzi.
With post-production now underway, the film is being positioned for submission to Academy Award® and BAFTA-qualifying festivals throughout 2026.
Nannu aims to shine a spotlight on the under-represented Maltese Australian experience, touching on themes of language, cultural pride, and family bonds.
For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and screening announcements, follow Matthew C. Vella on Instagram: @vellamatt
