Film industry associations call for ‘genuine consultation’ through permanent working groups

Two film industry associations have called on the Prime Minister to set up permanent working groups for “genuine” consultation on the industry.

The Malta Producers Association and the Malta Entertainment and Artists Association said there has been “prolonged lack of action by the competent authorities in relation to urgent, longstanding and repeated calls made by the Film and TV sector”.

The surprising announcement of the Malta Film Awards last September compounded the urgency of longstanding pertinent gaps within the industry, they said.

The associations noted that they had made a call for action on five main points last year.

“In November 2021, Film Commissioner Johann Grech stated in an email to the president of the MEIA that he is in agreement with four of the five points: the reclassification of Screen Malta under the General Block Exemption Regulations; addressing the problematic recoupment clause in Screen Malta contracts; increasing the Screen Malta budget and revising and reinstating the coproduction fund. However, he did not agree with the request for continuous consultation with stakeholders.”

“In the weeks that followed, both organisations renewed the call for action on the agreed upon points. In order to address the call for dialogue, a proposal to Minister Clayton Bartolo was made to set up a working group with a mandate to give input and expertise towards the articulation of a new film policy. During Malta Film Week, Minister Bartolo and Commissioner Grech echoed our larger concerns and requests regarding the weak and non-existing structures, which was very welcome. It was also announced that consultation would start immediately so that a strategy would be completed in May.”

The associations said they were very encouraged to hear this, but since then, emails requesting an urgent meeting with Minister Bartolo and Commissioner Grech, to action the five points, remain unanswered.

“We were paid lip service during Film Week but are fundamentally being ignored. Thus, we appeal to you to address the lacuna in genuine consultation between the film industry sector and its responsible authorities,” they told PM Robert Abela.

“For there to be genuine consultation with the industry, we firmly believe that the permanent working group needs to be set up with immediate effect. We propose that the working group be composed of members of the Malta Producers Association, the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association, the Broadcast, Film and Stage Committee within the GWU, as well as individuals representing the Malta Film Commission, Public Broadcasting Services, the Cultural Directorate and other public bodies relevant to the sector. We hope that you will support our call and ensure that the responsible government bodies take the necessary action to make it a reality,” the associations said.

The letter was signed by Simon Sansone, chairperson of the Malta Producers Association and Howard Keith Debono, president of the Malta Entertainment and Artists Association.