Malta creating more opportunities for indigenous filmmakers

On Monday, at the Congress Centre of Doelen in Rotterdam, Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis signed the Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production between the government of the Republic of Malta and member states of the Council of Europe, as well as other States Parties of the European Cultural Convention.

The purpose of its membership is to encourage multilateral film co-productions between three or more signatory countries, and to allow for bilateral co-productions between signatory countries where no bilateral agreement exists. It has provided a common legal policy regarding the multilateral cinematographic relations of all the States Parties, and has also allowed smaller countries like Malta that are not in a position to conclude multiple bilateral agreements to benefit from a legal framework for co-productions involving just two parties.

Dr Zammit Lewis stated that the Convention now takes into consideration new technologies, current diversified funding capacities, economic and financial changes within the film industry, and an increased trend in setting up co-productions with non-European countries.

The minister explained that as the costs of production are always increasing and raising finance has not become any easier for film producers, there is no doubt that co-production treaties and agreements have become very important. Apart from the European Convention, Maltese filmmakers can also make use of treaties in place with Canada and China.

The government is committed to support co-productions between Maltese and international producers because it helps in the development of the Maltese film industry. Co-production arrangements offer both cultural and economic benefits to partner countries, said the Minister for Tourism.

The signing ceremony took place on the occasion of the 46th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the Minister for Tourism was accompanied by Malta Film Commissioner Engelbert Grech. “This convention is part of our holistic strategy to help filmmakers. Recently we even set up a co-production fund to provide financial resources to Maltese companies so that they take their productions to the next level,” stated Grech.

Following the signing of the Convention, Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis met the Minister for Education, Culture and Science Mariëtte Bussemaker for a bilateral meeting. The discussion during the meeting focused on the film industry – with the aim of strengthening synergies between producers of the respective countries – and educational opportunities in the film industry.

Referring to Malta “as a small country with a big influence”, Minister Bussemaker made reference to the cultural capital for the year 2018 as a great opportunity to attract more tourists. The Netherlands and Malta are the two member states hosting the European Capital of Culture in 2018.