01-02-2016

Malta Determined to Boost Film Industry

By

    VALLETTA: The minister of Tourism, Edward Zammit Lewis, expressed his firm commitment to work towards creating a sustainable film industry, while transforming Malta and Gozo into unique film destinations.

    In a story entitled Commitment to the Film Industry and published in the Times of Malta on 31 January 2016, the minister of Tourism is reviewing the main objectives of the National Policy 2016-2020 launched on 16 January 2016, also referring to the need of a film studio.

    “The government has always shown its intention to transform the current infrastructure at Kalkara into a modern and state-of-the-art film studio and facility, and I am determined to ensure this happens in the shortest time possible”, he said.

    He also announced that an expression of interest has been issued for the development of the water tanks facilities of the Malta Film Studios in Rinella.

    The National Policy 2016-2010 was put together by several institutions including Malta Film Commission, the University of Malta, Chamber of Commerce, Malta Audiovisual Association (MAVA), and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) aiming to transform film industry into a more profitable business.

    The spend by foreign productions in Malta rose from 5 m EUR in 2013 to 29 m EUR in 2014 and over 100 m EUR in 2015.