Malta

Film Locations. Malta has doubled for many Mediterranean looks, both European and Middle Eastern. Neolithic temples, bastions, cathedrals and palaces such as the famous Palazzo Parisio. Baroque looks. Contemporary architecture. Traditional Maltese fishing boats. Malta has no permanent rivers or lakes. The countryside is lush and green in winter and dry and barren in summer. Sea cliffs and the islands of Gozo and Comino with azure seas. Highlights include the old city of Mdina, Valletta, Grand Harbour and diving the Blue Hole / Inland Sea.

Filming in Malta is best known for its water tank facilities, renowed as some of the largest in the world.

Valletta is the capital and most likely place to base your production.

Permits typically take from two days to one week depending on the nature of the shoot. Shooting in public areas is usually donation based. Permits for use of government property are obtained from the Estate Management Department. Filming at protected sites normally requires additional permits or approval from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Heritage Malta or other relevant authorities.

When to shoot? Malta has long day light hours throughout the year. The climate is Mediterranean with basically two seasons - mild rainy winters (September to March) and hot dry summers (April to August).

For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.

Costs. Malta trades in the Euro. Local costs are around the same as the rest of Mediterranean Europe. The need to bring in some key crew and specialized equipment can add significantly to the cost of the production.

Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.

Talent in Malta is mainly Mediterranean looking with some blonde looks also available. Its close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Street casting and call outs are often required. Malta has some casting and model agencies including:

Models Malta
In Fashion Malta

Creative talent. Malta has a very limited pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Its close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of creative talent should you ever need to look further.

Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.

Crews are also non-union. Key crew are best brought in from abroad. Supporting crew are good and speak fluent English.

Fringes. Allow 14-20% mandatory social security tax for big construction crews. Allow 15% mandatory withholding tax for extras.

Premiums. Malta has an eleven hour shoot day plus one hour lunch. Typically Sunday, feast days and 7th day pay double time. Of course, we do our best to package deals depending on the specific needs of each project.

Equipment. Some basic equipment is available locally - 16mm, 35mm and HD cameras, Steadicam, basic lighting and grip equipment, some underwater filming equipment. All other equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. There are daily flights from Italy, the UK and Germany.

Art department and set construction. Local art department support is good and construction crews are very good. As an example of what is possible, Malta has hosted feature films such as Gladiator, Casino Royale, White Squall, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy, Munich as well as dramas and sitcoms such as the BBC's Byron and ITV's Coronation Street.

Studios. There are no sound stages in Malta. Warehouse space is often converted to construct sets for filming.

Malta is best known for its famous water tanks at the Mediterranean Film Studios which are amongst the largest in the world. These consist of three main water tanks that are unique in size and depth, and offer a natural horizon with the sea. The tanks are water stages where sets are built and shot with various facilities of tie-downs and platforms. Various SFX machinery is available to create storms, using smoke, wind and wave machines, tip-tanks, water cannons and a 500 mph jet engine. The design of the Surface Water Tank with its natural horizon enables the water, sky and horizon to appear seamless, eliminating the need of a false backdrop. There is also the facility of a gimbal or a rocker in this tank. See here for more information:

Mediterranean Film Studios

Backlots. There are no backlots on studio grounds but there are a few constructions still remaining such as the Popeye village (now an amusement park) and a Roman street (left over from a Julius Caesar TV series, now left somewhat in disrepair). Fort Ricasoli is a 17 acre space where the huge sets of Gladiator, Troy and Agora, amongst others, were built. This fort lies just next to the Mediterranean Film Studios.

Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for commercials. Qualifying feature film and television productions, mini-series, animation and documentaries are eligible for a 22% cash rebate. Qualifying companies are also eligible for tax credits. See here for more information:

Film Stock. Best to bring in from a major European production centre.

Post Production. Only digital processing is available locally. Best to process in Italy or Germany.

Visas and Work Permits. Malta is a member of the EU. Contact your local Maltese embassy / representative for more information.

Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. Malta is connected well to the rest of Europe with major airlines and some low cost airlines servicing flights to Malta on a daily basis.

Accommodation. Recommended options include:

The George Hotel
Xara Palace
Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa
The Victoria Hotel

Please contact us for corporate rates.

For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.

Safety. Malta is a very safe and reliable filming centre.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Malta, please see below:

Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:

AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Malta, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.