Education more important than funds – film practitioners

While Brad Pitt’s exploits around Valletta may be stealing all the thunder where filming in Malta is concerned (hardly surprising given that his zombie blockbuster World War Z is currently funnelling €30 million into the local coffers), Maltese filmmakers have had their ambitions put into perspective after the Malta Film Fund announced the annual budget for home-grown feature films, documentaries and short films will amount to €233,000.

Reaction from players in the local film scene could be described as cautious, though many appear to suggest that money is a secondary priority, given the local context.

“Rather than questioning the amount of the Malta Film Fund, the focus should be on the education system, the training that must be given to local film makers. I believe that many local artists lack the skills needed to break into the international film market,” local filmmaker Engelbert Grech said when asked whether he thought the amount allocated by the Film Fund is adequate.

Similarly, Caldon Mercieca, coordinator of the Cultural and AV Unit with the Office of the Prime Minister and a key player within the Malta Arts Fund and the Cultural Policy, stressed the importance of professionalising the field. Given that in the past, greater emphasis was always placed on servicing the international film industry – as opposed to the indigenous scene – aspiring filmmakers never really had the space to develop professional skills.

“We created the Film Commission, we gave it a remit to develop the whole film sector but then we gave it just enough resources to attract international films – and in fact it was mainly focused on international films – i.e., film servicing. So we had our people who were able to contribute to the films at a certain level but from a certain level upwards it was all the international companies bringing in their own staff and expertise,” Mercieca said, while also mentioning how this was reflected in applicants for the film fund.

“We were approached by people who were developing a short film, and presented a budget for a huge blockbuster, because that’s the only thing they were exposed to. And it wasn’t just that: they weren’t really familiar with how to develop  a film. So we need to ensure that the structures are in place so that people can really grow into the industry and develop their own projects, while servicing others,” Mercieca added.

Training has in fact become a priority, as the Film Commission continues to offer intensive courses in every aspect of film production, by international film tutors.

But perhaps because old habits die hard, filmmakers don’t appear to be willing to shake off the DIY attitude they were forced to undertake before the recent developments, and have stopped short of criticising the budget.

Mark Dingli, director of 2009 independent feature Kont Diga, pointed out how any funding is positive. “It should be a start at getting funding. This might help you get further funding as usually one must have budget to get more budget,” Dingli said, while categorically stating that “we need to prove ourselves first by making good films and I believe if we do, this funding will keep on growing.”

Rebecca Cremona, whose in-development feature Simshar has been generating a healthy amount of buzz, said that while the budget is “small in the larger context of things,” it can be an important stepping stone. “I do hope however that once the scheme provides results, the amounts will evolve accordingly,” Cremona added.

Interestingly, director Kenneth Scicluna – whose short film Daqqet Ix-Xita (Plangent Rain), has made the rounds at this year’s Cannes Film Festival – opined that having a small sum to begin with can be advantageous for a filmmaker, since “the very fact that the total sum is relatively small is in itself an incentive for filmmakers to seek other sources of funding, an activity which in itself is a check on quality, weeding out complacent candidates.

“Do I think €233,000 is enough for what candidates can apply for? I’ll say that the amount need not be a hindrance. This is what is available now – let’s do something good with it. With the results gained, then we can make the case for more money,” Scicluna added.