Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech has launched the upgraded edition of the Malta Film Fund. With a total allocated budget of €350,000, this represents an increase of almost 17% compared to the previous, boosted year. The Malta Film Fund aims to nurture and back the production of Maltese films and scripts – but it is not only limited to feature films, as the support is also targeted at the production of short films, creative documentaries and high-quality international TV series.

The Malta Film Fund follows the previously introduced (see the news) tri-directional funding scheme that covers the development (through the Writers’ Grant and Development Grant), production (Production, Short Film Production for New Talent, Short Film Production) and distribution of Maltese films.

Filmmakers are welcome to submit their film and script project ideas for the upcoming funding session. It’s worth noting that last year, among the funded projects in development were Alex Camilleri’s feature Luzzu [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Alex Camilleri
scheda film], which was also the first Maltese participant in Thessaloniki’s Agora Crossroads (see the news), and the documentary The Man Who Gave Parkinsons the Finger. Also, the production funds were split between Rebecca Cremona’s historical WWII drama The Gut and the €1 million-budgeted thriller HEAD, directed by Winston Azzopardi.

Apart from the enhanced Malta Film Fund, the Malta Film Commission earlier this month launched the Opportunity for All initiative, which aims to create opportunities for individuals and service companies interested in working within the Maltese film industry.