MPA says government prioritises ‘glitzy’ videos to ‘focus on content’

The Malta Producers Association has criticised the government for giving more priority to “glitzy” PR exercises instead of focusing on substance for the industry.

On 14 August, the Malta Film Commission announced the long overdue call for the Malta Film Fund which has been rebranded under the new name of Screen Malta, the MPA said in a statement.

As for 2019, the ‘new’ fund is still pegged at €600,000 including fund administrative costs. Ignoring all calls for discussion with the stakeholders whose livelihoods are the film and TV industry, the Malta Film Commission went ahead and published new guidelines a day before the Santa Maria holiday, without consultation.

Back in April, the MPA said it had published a set of proposals wherein a way forward was laid out to make the local film industry more viable, help ensure consistency of work and maximise opportunities for professional development of crew and talent. All fell on deaf ears. Not even an acknowledgement was received, the MPA said.

“Rather than focusing on content, substance and the genuine nurturing of local production and the Film Fund, Film Commissioner Johann Grech, in collaboration with the Minister for Tourism Julia Farrugia Portelli, seems to prioritise marketing PR exercises with unnecessary glitzy videos, which presumably are paid for through the limited fund coffers further reducing what is available for the industry,” the MPA added.

Without going into the merits of the fund structure and guidelines as these are currently being reviewed and queried by MPA members, a central initial question has been raised by the MPA in an email to the Minister of Tourism. In 2019, the MPA had highlighted a serious conflict of interest whereby a member of the Evaluation Board was also the recipient of the Film Fund. The MPA has queried whether any action has been taken in this regard to rectify the issue and how. No reply has been received.

“As we’ve just seen with the pulling out of Jurassic World’s main filming unit, the industry in Malta must diversify and not remain solely dependent on simply bringing in a multi-million picture every other year,” the MPA said.

Large movies are important for Malta but they rarely hire locals in proper high level roles, whilst smaller films, co-productions and local films are the productions where local crew and talent have the opportunity to be more involved in decision making capacities and thus can grow and upskill. It is clear to the majority of stakeholders that the industry in Malta needs to be ambitious and make bolder steps towards increasing exports if it wishes develop into a sustainable and consistent industry. It is ridiculous and unacceptable that the Film Commissioner, whilst boasting to have met over 500 producers internationally on the public dime, still refuses to meet with local producers and stakeholders of the industry which collectively have decades of pertinent experience to discuss weaknesses in the industry and appropriate improvements that can be made.

The MPA said it will continue to pursue the best interests of the industry in the hope of restoring a level playing field to the benefit of all stakeholders.