Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1240944
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 APRIL 2020 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS The Chief Execu ve Officer, Malta Industrial Parks Ltd (MIP), no fies that sealed offers will be received for: MIP/BDU/TQL/001/2020 - CALL FOR TENDERS FOR THE GRANT ON TEMPORARY EMPHYTEUSIS OF EMPHYTEUTICAL SITE AT TA' QALI CRAFTS VILLAGE Interested par es may download a copy of the tender document from www.mip.com.mt. Proposals should be made in line with the relevant condi ons included in the tender document. A par cipa on fee of one thousand euro (€1,000) applies. Submissions will be received in sealed packages, clearly marked with the relevant reference number, in the tender box situated at the MIP offices located in the address below, by not later than: 10:00 a.m. of Friday, 29 th May, 2020 Malta Industrial Parks Ltd 88, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara, BKR9020 www.mip.com.mt Call for Tenders Cash once used to bring Hollywood could finance Malta's film industry MATTHEW VELLA MALTA'S film lots are deserted, and much like it did for tour- ism, the pandemic immediately shut down Malta's film indus- try, which in the last decade had picked up speed with ma- jor blockbusters and TV series filmed on the island. All foreign crew, mainly from the EU and Canada, who were working in Malta on scheduled projects, flew back to their home countries. "The pandemic has placed film projects on hold and the productions which were ex- pected to be shot in Malta have been temporarily suspended due to this crisis," says film commis- sioner Johann Grech. But while Malta was previously considered to be an attractive lo- cation that also offered generous tax rebates, now even hiked up to an unprecedented 40%, pro- ducers wonder whether normal- ity could ever return to Malta's film servicing industry. "Filming necessitates group gatherings of crew, cast and ex- tras in a studio or on location and since such activities can- not take place due to restrictive measures intended to protect public health, no production work is taking place," says Si- mon Sansone, of the Malta Pro- ducers Association. But the paralysis of Malta's film servicing industry could be a good time for companies to fo- cus on creating new content that could be filmed in the future, Sansone says. And while there is concern that Malta might no longer be the jewel in the Mediterranean for film production companies once the pandemic subsides, Sansone insists there is no reason things should not return to normal. "There is little doubt that it will take some time for confidence to be restored in travelling and simply being in proximity with other humans. As long as Mal- ta is always looking ahead and remains competitive, once nor- mality is restored the MPA does not see why international pro- ductions would not return to the islands." However, he points out, the trouble lies in what will happen before 'normality' – whenever that is – returns. "It seems to be several months away – some are speculating a year, or even 18 months away – so it is impor- tant to focus on what could and should be happening between now and then." Can film production even work with social distancing? Sansone thinks it will be hard for large- scale, big budget productions involving hundreds of crews and extras but that smaller produc- tions and co-productions could possibly find a way to operate. "Here we're talking about shows with minimal cast and crew (under 50 people) that could be managed and work within social distancing parameters." Sansone suggests that Maltese film financing should now turn to these projects. "These could be national projects, minority or majority co-productions involv- ing minimal foreign crew that could receive funding through Malta Film Fund and cash re- bate too. This period could also be opportune for Malta to kick- start investment in animation projects and encourage invest- ment in virtual production facil- ities which are currently virtual- ly non-existent." Indeed members of the MPA have for many years stressed on the financial limitations of the Malta Film Fund, which fo- cuses on local productions. In 2019 it was finally increased to €600,000. "This is still a far cry to what is needed to make the local film industry a viable reality and there is no doubt that substan- tial boosting of this fund is still required. Iceland, for example, which is smaller than Malta in terms of population, has a film fund of €7 million per year." Sansone hopes the steep learn- ing curve of COVID-19 should see the Maltese government shifting most of the cash rebate monies into local funding. "A project like Assassins Creed for example took €5.2 million in cash rebate on its own. This would go a long way to giving a much-needed boost to fund- ing locally produced films. This will help give the many crew and talent dependent on foreign pro- ductions an income and at the same time encourage them to stay in the industry and continue developing themselves." Sansone says a €75,000 grant per short film, up from the cur- rent €20,000, would keep crew and talent employed, as well as go a long way in the overall de- velopment and growth of the lo- cal craft of film-making. "The time is ripe for short films due to the relatively small team sizes they typically require, al- lowing them to circumnavigate social distancing measures once the most restrictive conditions start to be lifted... If supported adequately, this time could be turned into a golden period for local talent, professionals and indeed the homegrown industry to get on its feet and flourish." Johann Grech says the cash re- bates are dedicated towards for- eign or local film company in- volved in Maltese productions. "The objective of the cash rebates is to make Malta an attractive and viable location for the film industry by being cost effective and providing producers with more value for money. Our cash rebate programme supports Malta's skilled resources and contrib- utes towards developing and upgrading the film industry in- frastructure." Simon Sansone says Assassins Creed took over €5 million in cash rebates