Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/208710
15 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2013 No extension for Peter Busuttil's Film Commissioner contract Busuttil took over the Malta Film Commission in 2011, while also being in charge of Notte Bianca and, most recently, trying his luck at the vice presidency of the Malta Football Association TEODOR RELJIC FILM Commissioner Peter Busuttil's contract will not be extended next year, reliable sources confirmed with MaltaToday this week. Contacted by phone, Busuttil asked MaltaToday to send him a request for comment via email. However, no reply was forthcoming by the time of going to print. Busuttil, a theatre practitioner and previously a fixture of local television, was appointed Malta Film Commissioner in May 2011, after former commissioner Luisa Bonello resigned for "personal reasons". Under Busuttil's watch, big budget Hollywood productions World War Z and Captain Phillips were filmed on our shores, while the first – and, sadly, last – season of Sky 1's Sinbad was shot in its entirety in Malta in 2011. Notably, Malta also played host to the hugely popular fantasy series Game of Thrones in 2010. However the production was marred in controversy after it emerged that the production resulted in the "total elimination" of an ecosystem in Dwejra, Gozo. During his tenure as film commissioner, Busuttil also served as Artistic Director for Notte Bianca – the annual one-night festival of art and entertainment in Valletta – from 2009 until 2013. Though the event etched itself into the Maltese cultural calendar and proved to be consistently well attended, this year's edition ushered in a new artistic director – Sean Buhagiar – who implemented a different approach to the event's programme. The latter years of Busuttil's stewardship of the Malta Film Commission were characterised by a distinct lack of big budget productions using Malta as a backdrop. Save for World War Z and Captain Phillips, Malta failed to assert itself as a notable film servicing location over the past few years. Busuttil once again attracted public attention earlier this year, when he tried his luck at the vice-president New parliament set to be completed by June 2014 post of the Malta Football Association. A few months prior, local film producers and film service professionals put forward gripes against the way the film commission was run to Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, whose ministry now incorporates the film commission. Speaking at a 'film symposium' held on 16 July, television producer and director Mark Doneo said that he was embarking on his first feature film without the aid of the Malta Film Fund, and brought attention to the fact that anybody employed with TV stations was barred from taking advantage of the funds. In response to this, Busuttil said applicants for the fund were required to set up a production company, which he however referred to as being simply a "guideline". But in response, minister Mallia interjected saying he failed to see the "logic" of the guideline. treljic@mediatoday.com.mt Peter Busuttil COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date and time Place Items PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUDREY LIENARD 13 November, 2013 11:00am - 26/2013 Medavia Hanger, Safi Aviation Park, Safi The aeroplane registered with the number 9HELE of the make BAE 146-300 (MSN E3209). 20 November, 2013 12:00pm - 16/2013 Garage number 29, Metropolitan Buildings, Triq San Fran�isk, �amrun Several trousers, shorts, leggings and jeans for women, dresses, skirts and miniskirts, shirts and T-shirts for women, T-shirts for men, jogging pants and tracksuits for women, blazers, jackets, boleros and coats for women, bikinis, sandals, wigs, mannequins, large pieces of glass, shelves, rods, chair, stools, table, large circular clothes display, clothes' stands, chipboards, boxes with plastic bags, emergency lights, safe with key and another one without a key, cameras, cash register, a box with rolls of paper for the cash register, alarm system, benches, stand with four glass shelves, vertical stand to put clothes on, display table with a glass top, and several other clothes and objects. 27 November, 2013 - 23/2013 T.G. Complex, Flat 2, Level 3, Brewery Street, Mrie�el Eleven (11) units in Vilhena Funds Sicav plc, Vilhena Malta Fund Distribution Shares World-renowned architect Renzo Piano said the new parliament building will be "fantastic" TIM ATTARD MONTALTO THE new parliament should be ready by June of next year, according to Parliamentary Speaker, Anglu Farrugia, during a visit by the project's architect, Renzo Piano. This, he said, will allow for the MPs to reconvene there after the summer recess. The new parliament building is part of a project which includes the reconstruction of City Gate, the open-air theatre which was demolished during World War II, and the ditch which surrounds part of Valletta's walls. Piano said that he was very happy with how the projects were coming along, while stressing that it was very important that Maltese limestone was used throughout, referring to it as "the real centre-point of the project". "These are not just buildings, but they are a continuation of Malta's rich history," he said. Piano said that he and his team knew how important it was to make good use of public money, but he was confident that "everyone will be able to see that Malta's money was well-spent" by the time the project is completed. He said that, as in every project, there were many 'minor' adaptations and alterations throughout, but felt that the end result will be "fantastic". Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/JudicialSales/search.aspx ! ! Bruno Zahra For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals