The Malta Film Commission (MFC) has been asked to provide evidence to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding €4 million in taxpayer funds that remain unaccounted for, The Shift News has reported.

The National Audit Office (NAO) flagged the discrepancy, revealing that while the Film Commission received €7.2 million between 2019 and 2022—mainly for upgrades to the Malta Film Studios water tanks—its records show only €2.4 million was spent.

The Commission has €1.2 million in current assets, including €800,000 in cash, leaving €4 million unaccounted for.

The PAC, chaired by PN MP Darren Carabott, has demanded a detailed explanation with proof of payment from the Film Commission and the government.

This investigation follows previous scrutiny of the Commission’s spending, particularly before the 2022 general election, when €2 million in direct orders were issued for the Malta Film Awards, many going to suppliers later used by Labour’s campaign.

Among them, Ray Vella & Co Ltd (€153,000) provided LED screens, TEC Ltd (€140,000) built PL’s mass meeting stages, Nexos (€151,000) handled lighting, and Besteam Audio (€94,000) supplied sound.

Payments were also made to AF Sign Studio (Labour’s billboard provider), Sharpshoot Media (linked to former OPM official Kurt Farrugia), and GMedia (owned by Prime Minister Robert Abela’s personal photographer). Some direct orders were only approved weeks after the event.

Despite repeated controversies, the government continues to back Film Commissioner Johann Grech, who spent half a million on a small promotional production for the 2024 Mediterrane Film Festival, in which he played a leading role.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has refused to disclose how it funded its 2022 campaign, despite clear overlaps between government contracts and party expenses.

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