Charles Stroud, a prominent figure in Maltese broadcasting and events management, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Stroud worked across both public and private media, contributing significantly to the development of Maltaโs television industry.
He began his career in 1973 at Television Malta (TVM), where he served as programme producer and director. Stroud later joined NET Television, where he was appointed head of programmes before being promoted to head of operations and production. He also played a key role in the channelโs founding.
A new company and several trailblazing productions
In 2005, Stroud co-founded the media production company 26th Frame, which became known for several high-quality local series and television projects. He was also behind Mitฤงolma, a production company that developed cultural and creative projects.
Stroud, a trailblazer in Maltese broadcasting and co-founder of the production company 26th Frame, was also behind a wide range of television productions that left a strong imprint on the local media landscape. His works include FโBaฤงar Wieฤงed, Anฤกli, Pupi, Kristu Fl-Iลผbarra, Prima Facie, Riฤง Isfel, FโSalib it-Toroq, Kristu tal-Kerrejja, Tgฤงanniqa, Nostalฤกija, and Ulied il-Lejl. Through these productions, Stroud and his company consistently delivered engaging, high-quality Maltese content, shaping television storytelling and elevating the standards of local broadcasting.
In 2017, Stroud and his company Mitฤงolma, together with his son Matthew, secured funding through the Malta Literary Short Film Contest to adapt Joe Friggieriโs short story Dritt gฤงall-Punt from the collection Nismagฤงhom Jgฤงidu. The project was awarded โฌ20,000 by the National Book Council and premiered at the Malta Book Festival that same year. The short-film is being linked below.
Beyond television and film, Stroud was instrumental in organising several of Maltaโs landmark national events, including the Grand Masterโs Parade, the In Guardia historical re-enactments, the George Cross commemoration, Maltaโs EU accession celebrations, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games of the Small States of Europe.
Tributes by those who worked with him
Colleagues and friends described Stroud as a calm and respectful professional who left a lasting mark on Maltese broadcasting. Broadcaster John Bundy called him โa gentleman of the industry,โ while former colleagues remembered him for his creativity and commitment to quality productions.
Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech also paid tribute to Stroudโs contributions to the party, particularly during challenging periods. โCharles will forever be remembered for his creativity, his television productions on NET TV, but also for his work organising the partyโs political activities during the 1980s. Thank you, Charles,โ Grech said.
Fr Joe Borg, who worked closely with Stroud over several decades, wrote a heartfelt tribute on his FB page.
“Charles was one of the finest TV directors I was ever fortunate enough to work with. It was a time when working on film allowed you to edit, but if you were working on video, editing was not an option. Charles excelled in both mediumsโtechnically and artistically. He was truly brilliant. Working with him was both a pleasure and a learning experience.
We collaborated on the religious program Dawl il-ฤฆajja, bringing new life to religious broadcasting at a time, in the early 1980s, when it was struggling.
When I was asked to produce the video of the Popeโs first visit to MaltaโPope John Paul II, to be preciseโI insisted: โYes, but on one condition: Charles must work with me.โ
On Saturday mornings, we would spend around ten hours in TVMโs technical area. We had videos from TVM, footage from the Vaticanโs videographer, and other sources. This went on for several Saturdays. Charles never grew tired, never cut corners, and always made sure we captured the best possible shots. Together, we produced something truly remarkable.
I am certain that, in heaven, Pope John Paul II went searching for Charles to personally thank him for the video”.
Charles Stroud is survived by his wife Doris, his children and grandchildren.
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