In a recent video shared by film commissioner Johann Grech, acclaimed actor Denzel Washington praised Malta as more than just a filming location, describing it as a “character” in its own right.

“You can feel the history here, and it was a perfect place to shoot,” said Washington, shining a light on the island’s unique atmosphere and historic backdrop, which enriches the visual narrative of any production in particular their production of ‘Gladiator II’. Alongside him, Pedro Pascal echoed the sentiment, underlining the importance of location in creating cinematic depth.

The video also features Aidan Elliott, the executive producer of Gladiator II, who lauded Malta as one of the world’s best filming destinations. He highlighted the island’s talented crew, skilled in managing large-scale, complex productions, as a key asset for filmmakers. According to Elliott, Malta’s versatility and expertise make it an attractive choice for high-profile projects.

The video wrapped up with Washington’s declaration that “this is the biggest film that [he’s] been on,” a testament to the ambition and scale of the upcoming blockbuster.

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This morning, Transport Minister Chris Bonett, along with the local government, launched an extensive transport reform campaign titled ‘Reshaping Our Mobility’. The initiative outlines a six-pillar proposal approach aimed at tackling Malta’s complex transport and mobility challenges. With Malta’s vehicle density among the highest in Europe, the campaign seeks to address pressing issues across sustainable mobility, 24-hour economy, vehicle control, parking, public transport, and roadworks coordination.

1. Sustainable Mobility
In line with increasing trends toward eco-friendly transport, Malta plans to launch a National Cycling Strategy, expand the bicycle road network, and introduce “walking school buses” to encourage healthy and sustainable transport options.

2. 24-Hour Economy
New peak hour guidelines were set for weekdays (6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) for both public and private sectors. This aims to optimize traffic flow during the busiest times, ensuring a smoother commute for the public.

3. Vehicle Management
With over 440,000 vehicles on the road, the government has announced the Employee Transportation Deduction Act, incentivizing citizens to reduce car usage. Plans also include promoting youth away from obtaining driving licenses and limiting private car use to off-peak hours.

4. Parking Solutions
To tackle Malta’s parking shortages, the campaign introduces new park-and-ride facilities in commercial areas, additional public parking spaces, and digital solutions to make parking more accessible.

5. Enhanced Public Transport
Immediate plans include new bus routes to industrial zones, circular routes for major localities, and direct buses for shorter commutes. A national route map revision is also set to ensure optimal service and coverage.

6. Improved Roadworks Coordination
A new Roadworks Coordination Committee will oversee infrastructure projects, ensuring a smoother, unified approach to minimise disruption.

Consultation on these proposals will conclude by Q4 2024, with implementations rolling out from Q3 2026.

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