The Mediterrane Film Festival has managed to grab all the headlines across the world from some of the most reputable and renowned names in international entertainment media.

The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Screen Daily, Cineuropa and others have lavished praise on Malta’s thriving film servicing sector and the spectacular success of this year’s Mediterrane Film Festival.

The leading publications speak in glowing terms about both the festival and Malta as a location to make films, providing an incredible advertisement not just for the international production business in Malta, but for the country itself.

All eyes on Malta

The world’s most respected entertainment and film industry publications have not only highlighted the scale of Malta’s achievements but also the strategic foresight that has powered its rise.

The Hollywood Reporter featured an in-depth interview with Johann Grech, Malta’s Film Commissioner, calling attention to his data-driven, ambitious approach to making Malta a magnet for major international productions.

The article detailed how Commissioner Grech’s work over the past seven years has transformed Malta into a global player through robust incentives, streamlined services, and an unwavering commitment to supporting productions that choose Malta as the place to invest.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The Hollywood Reporter led with the headline “Why Everyone Is Talking About Malta Right Now”, highlighting how Malta has firmly positioned itself on the radar of film productions from Hollywood and across the world.

As Commissioner Grech noted in the Hollywood Reporter “The numbers don’t lie”.

Writer Chris Gardner explained that this was a sentiment that resonated across the industry, as Malta’s year-on-year growth in film production speaks volumes about its success.

Similarly, Screen Daily ran multiple features praising Malta’s status as a major film production destination.

One feature showcased how Commissioner Grech and his team have kept Malta at the forefront of international shoots, with productions from the UK, the U.S., and beyond choosing the island for its unparalleled versatility in terms of locations, competitive incentives and reliable support.

Another Screen Daily article celebrated the closing gala of the Mediterrane Film Festival’s third edition, describing it as a “perfect showcase of Malta’s cinematic transformation,” complete with fireworks, arias, and the presence of leading stars like Russell Crowe as the Golden Bee awards were presented.

Screen Daily wrote: “Although the Maltese film industry remains light on private investment, public funding is paying dividends. Even local filmmakers, who’ve protested in the past about being ignored as the Malta Film Commission chased international business, appear to have been won over. They’re now receiving funding from Arts Council Malta’s new Screen Support Scheme.

Thanks to the huge volume of production, sustainable careers are opening up in the Maltese film business. As one local producer put it, “Everybody is working, nobody is complaining.”

Variety covered the festival’s high-profile moments, highlighting the participation of global stars such as Jared Harris and Russell Crowe.

The Golden Bees Awards night was attended by some leading names in the production business, and major studios such as Netflix, HBO and Paramount were among senior industry figures from around the world who were present.

In a moving speech that resonated with many in attendance, the star of the night, Russell Crowe, reflected on his connection to Malta dating back to Gladiator and how the values from that character still struck a chord with many today.

He urged the Government to keep investing in this sector because it was yielding results.

Barbie Ferreira, one of the leading young stars in Hollywood, was among the A-listers present, and she brought fresh LA glamour to the event. She was awarded a Golden Bee as a rising star in the film business.

Many articles highlighted Johann Grech’s hands-on approach to supporting foreign film productions, summed up in the philosophy that “no door is closed, no request is too much,” and praised his passionate promotion of Malta in a series of “tub thumping speeches.”

During the numerous networking events organised by the festival, this attitude has attracted praise from directors, studio executives, and producers, who credit the Malta Film Commission with creating a welcoming environment that keeps international productions returning time and again.

In these interviews, Commissioner Grech also emphasised the importance of building capacity, investing in local crew training, and supporting productions at every stage – a strategy that has transformed Malta from a picturesque backdrop into a full-service production hub.

Almost all the international articles hailed Malta’s transformation as a case study in how small countries can punch above their weight in the global film industry.

Cineuropa also weighed in, applauding the festival’s vision of combining Mediterranean identity with international ambition. The publication praised the festival’s programming, which celebrated both the island’s century-long contribution to cinema and its innovative, forward-looking initiatives that align with modern industry trends such as sustainability, diversity, and technological innovation.

Maltese productions Ciao Ciao and The Theft of the Caravaggio, along with a number of Maltese short films, featured in the festival’s programme and drew some of the largest audiences, with multiple sold-out screenings at the Embassy Cinemas.

The incentives that changed the landscape

The introduction of the 40% cash rebate was a turning point for Malta. The scheme was recently reviewed by the National Audit Office, and the Auditor General confirmed that all studies that showed a strong return on investment were accurate.

These reports, which have been presented in Parliament, show that for every euro that Malta invests through the cash rebate the country gets three euros back. A further report, also verified by the NAO, shows that Malta has generated hundreds of millions of euros in film business over the past years and sustained thousands of jobs.

The NAO has also confirmed the strong return on investment generated by Malta’s film incentive system. While productions like Sir Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II benefited from substantial rebates, the economic returns were just as remarkable, delivering significant value to the country. In fact, in 2023, the year when large parts of Gladiator II were filmed across Malta, the foreign film servicing sector contributed 18% of Malta’s overall economic growth.

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