Three foreign productions to be shot in Malta

Three foreign film productions will be shot in Malta next year, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said. A British Falklands war-themed, titled 'Destroyer', a French film set in Afghanistan and a yet-to-be revealed series will all have several scenes shot in Malta.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech made the announcement on Monday before presenting 15 local filmmakers with nearly €240,000 in development and production grants.

Fenech said the 2012 Film Fund is in the process of aiding 13 films or documentaries, with six of them being at production stage.

"This fund encourages the development of new talents and capabilities of local artists and encoyarge them to participate in local and foreign productions," Fenech said.

Tourism and Culture minister Mario de Marco said the Malta Film Fund grants will help local talent grow Malta's indigenous film industry. He said the fund and other courses held by the Film Commission have disbursed over €940,000 over the last ten years.

"This sector strengthens the creative economy and employs 8,000 in more then 3,600 firms. Investment in the cultural and creative sectors translate into opportunities for artists and generate business and job creation," de Marco said.

He added that the investment in the sector has not only attracted a number of production to Malta but local artists have also been encouraged to participate.