Sat Jun 21 07:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Malta’s film industry is booming, contributing over €1.3 billion to the economy between 2005 and 2024. Film Commissioner Johann Grech highlights that for every Euro invested in film, the industry generates three back for the economy, with 2023 being a record year. The upcoming Mediterrane Film Festival aims to attract further foreign direct investment. Despite criticism regarding tax rebates, Grech points to major productions filmed in Malta, emphasizing year-round employment and the industry’s resilience even during the pandemic and the US strikes. Malta is actively working to improve infrastructure, including a long-discussed sound stage and indoor water tank, and Grech will seek investors at the festival. Multiple film and television projects are currently filming there, employing over 1,000 locals, and the country is actively seeking collaboration with the US and UK as key partners in film.
**News Article:**
**Malta’s Film Industry: A Billion-Euro Boom Driving Economic Growth**
**Valletta, Malta – June 20, 2025** – Malta’s film industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, contributing over €1.3 billion to the Maltese economy between 2005 and 2024, according to data from the Central Bank of Malta. Film Commissioner Johann Grech touted the sector’s success, stating, “For every Euro we invest in film, it generates three back for the economy.” 2023 was a record year for Malta’s film industry, generating nearly half a billion, solidifying the claim.
Grech’s comments come on the eve of the third annual Mediterrane Film Festival (June 21-29), which aims to further attract foreign direct investment into the island nation. The festival will feature industry heavyweights like US filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke and UK producer Jeremy Thomas.
Despite facing criticism regarding the 40% tax rebate offered to international producers, Grech highlighted the numerous major features that have chosen Malta as a filming location, including Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and “Gladiator II,” as well as the recent “Jurassic World” installments.
“When I became film commissioner, I promised there would be economic growth in the film industry. People thought I was over-promising but it happened,” says Grech, emphasizing that the industry provides year-round, full-time employment for over 1,000 locals.
Current productions range from films to reality TV, utilizing up to 50 Maltese locations. Grech also addressed potential concerns regarding US tariffs on foreign films, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation.
Looking to the future, Malta is prioritizing infrastructure development, including a long-awaited sound stage and indoor water tank. Planning permission has been approved, and Grech expects to meet with potential investors at the Mediterrane Film Festival. The studio construction is projected to take approximately two years.
First Piper 