Watch: Maltese Film Talent Sidelined For ‘Tal-Qalba’ Forced To Leave Island, Julie Zahra Warns
Talented people within the Maltese film industry are being forced to move overseas because they are constantly being sidelined at home in favour of people close to circles of power, PN MP Julie Zahra has warned.
In a speech in Parliament on Monday, Zahra referred to the recent approval of a sound stage studio as part of a €35 million investment in the Malta Film Studios in Kalkara.
“The industry doesn’t only revolve around a sound stage studio but around human resources – not just the few people tal-qalba (close to circles of power) but all committed employees who constantly strive to compete with other countries that offer greater advantages than ours.”
“What is the government’s vision for Maltese companies and professionals who work in this industry? It’s useless to simply boast at events where you can appear on camera or organise a film award show, whose costs have remained hidden.”
“The government finds money when it wants to, but the truth is that while it keeps pleasing the people close to it, even in the films industry, it is sidelining local talent. These people are forced to leave Malta because of a lack of equal opportunities in their own country.”
Zahra proposed the re-establishment of a co-production fund to encourage collaboration within the industry and help Maltese producers promote their products on an international level.
She also called for a Work Regulation Order that would establish the minimum rates of pay, conditions and safety levels for workers in the industry.
David Walliams presenting the Malta Film Awards last January
Zahra’s reference to “the government finding money when it wants to” was a reference to the Malta Film Awards that were held last January as part of a week to celebrate the Maltese film industry.
While the show itself was lavish in scale, it was heavily criticised and boycotted by several people within the industry, who accused the government of prioritising showmanship over bread-and-butter issues.
The Malta Film Awards cost an estimated €1.3 million but the government has refused to clarify how much of this money was spent on the awards show and has shot down freedom of information requests from several media houses and organisations, including Lovin Malta.
However, the Data Commissioner recently ordered the Malta Film Commission to provide invoices issued by the host, renowned British comedian David Walliams, following a Freedom of Information request by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation.
Cover photo: Left: PN MP Julie Zahra, Right: Film Commissioner Johann Grech
Do you agree with Julie Zahra’s assessment of the Maltese film industry?
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