Film industry warns over ‘incorrect’ claims of confirmed productions for 2013

The Film Services Providers Malta has warned that it is too early to say that three international productions will be shooting in Malta next year.

The statements follows the news revealed by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech on Monday. He said that a British Falklands war-themed film, 'Destroyer', a French film set in Afghanistan and a yet-to-be revealed series will all have several scenes shot in Malta.

"As things stand today, the members of FSPM confirm that to the best of their knowledge any claims that three serious productions are actually 'confirmed' for 2013 are not correct and it is too early to say whether they will eventually film in Malta," the FSPM said.

In a statement, the FSPM also expressed its concern about the way the Malta Film Commission is operating and about the lack of sustainable economic activity in the servicing of foreign film productions in Malta.

The group said that a few concerns raised at a meeting with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech in February 2012, have been tackled.

The issues concerned the re-introduction of an online classified listing and an improvement in the expediency with which the commissioner replies to emails sent by local and international producers.

However, several other concerns remain unaddressed. These include, amongst others, the creation of a regular forum between the MFC and industry stakeholders to discuss ways of how to improve Malta's film servicing sector.

"In particular, we need to improve the MFC's marketing strategy, how enquires received by the MFC are dealt with in a fully transparent and efficient manner and the incentives that will be offered as from next year after their expiry," it said.

It added that initiatives like Film Speak that were organised by the MFC earlier this year did not focus on these issues.

"Other meetings such as the seminar held with MEPA last summer left stakeholders discussing pressing issues without the presence of the film commissioner or other board members. Moreover, the follow up report promised by the commission has so far not been published," the group said.

FSPM said that local production service companies that offer a service to productions shooting in Malta do not benefit from the cash rebate.

"It is only the producers of eligible productions that benefit from these grants. It is surprising that calls for an increase in the incentives are described as 'old thinking' when most film hosting countries around the globe are constantly increasing the competitiveness of their industry incentive schemes, which remain the principle deciding factor that determines where a production ultimately chooses to film," FSPM said.

It added that an attractive rebate coupled with an ineffective commission and lack of other non-fiscal incentives offered by Government do not necessarily lead to increased production levels.

FSPM said it remained in favour of the development of a local indigenous industry, aided by the Malta Film Fund: "This is mainly a cultural concern that needs to be approached separately from the economic activity generated by the inward investment of hosting foreign shoots."