Movie paradise? How Malta became a magnet for big film shoots

A Mediterranean Gem: Malta’s Transformation Into a Global Filmmaking Hub

Wanderstayfinder.com – From the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean to the ancient streets of Rome, from the mystical landscapes of Enid Blyton’s Land of Spells to the rolling hills of southern France and the dramatic Bay of Pentos in Game of Thrones—these diverse settings share a common origin. They have all been brought to life through the lens of a tiny Mediterranean archipelago that measures no more than the English city of Sheffield. Over the past ten years, Malta has emerged as one of Europe’s premier destinations for American and British filmmakers, positioning itself at the forefront of what industry observers have termed an intense competition to attract major motion picture productions through generous financial incentives.

Breaking Records and Setting New Standards

The European Union’s smallest nation has consistently welcomed more than thirty film and television productions annually across the last three years. The years 2023 and 2025 both saw record-breaking numbers with thirty-six major productions each. This impressive roster includes blockbuster titles such as Jurassic World Rebirth and Gladiator II, alongside spring’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved The Magic Faraway Tree and the upcoming Jason Statham action thriller Mutiny, scheduled for release at month’s end.

On screen, Malta’s versatility has allowed it to double for numerous locations worldwide. The BBC’s recent series Two Weeks in August featured the island as Greece, while Heidi Ewing’s upcoming British feature The Travel Writer captured 1980s Sicily. Channel 5’s beloved crime drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries found its rural southern French setting within Malta’s borders, and Guy Ritchie’s forthcoming Layer Cake sequel Viva la Madness transformed the island into the Caribbean.

From Seasonal to Year-Round Industry

Malta’s cinematic heritage stretches back to 1925 with the silent maritime drama Sons of the Sea. Since the 1970s, the island has maintained two of the world’s largest water tanks, enabling filmmakers to capture ocean scenes within controlled environments. However, the industry’s evolution represents a fundamental shift. Johann Grech, Malta’s film commissioner, noted that while the sector was traditionally seasonal, it now operates continuously throughout the year.

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission, observed: “For such a small European country, Malta is really punching above its weight.” He added that the nation has been “very aggressive, in a positive way, about diversifying its industry.”

The Financial Engine Driving Growth

Malta’s meteoric rise correlates with broader transformations in how European audiovisual productions secure financing. Prior to the early 2000s, European films relied predominantly on direct funding mechanisms including specialized film funds and selective grants. The landscape shifted dramatically as tax incentives—particularly cash rebates that reimburse production companies for hiring local crews or utilizing regional facilities—became increasingly central to European filmmaking.

According to a recent European Audiovisual Observatory report, these financial mechanisms now constitute nearly half of European fiction film budgets, fundamentally altering production strategies. The observatory noted that “films and series no longer simply occupy locations, they are engineered around them.”

Malta introduced its cash rebate system in 2005 and has steadily enhanced its offerings. The producer of Napoleon and Gladiator II characterized the current program as “probably the most generous cash rebate in the world.” All thirty-six major productions filming in Malta during 2025 qualified for a forty percent cash rebate—a rate that, unlike certain competing jurisdictions, extends to international crew and equipment when local alternatives prove unavailable.

Investing in the Future

During the Mediterranean film festival held on the island in June, Grech revealed plans to strengthen the rebate framework, which currently expires in 2028, while pursuing private investment for an eighty million euro studio complex. “Every euro that we invest in the rebate, the industry generates back four,” Grech explained in an interview. “The film industry is becoming an economic pillar for our country.”

Not all developments have been universally celebrated. Some Maltese critics argue that the island’s emergence as a filming destination has coincided with diminished attention toward homegrown cinematic talent. Maltese films achieving international recognition remain uncommon, with Alex Camilleri’s 2021 production Luzzu—recognized for its Sundance grand jury prize contention—standing as a notable exception.

Teodor Reljić, a Malta-based screenwriter and former film critic, highlighted another dimension of the challenge. With local crews experiencing unprecedented demand from international production companies, Maltese directors frequently encounter difficulties competing against Hollywood offers. The island’s third season of Netflix’s detective drama Enola Holmes exemplifies this trend, as the series relocated from Victorian London to the then British-occupied island, with principal photography scheduled to commence next year. Similarly, television auteur Stephen Poliakoff’s The Order, set against the eve of the 1565 Ottoman siege of Malta, represents the island’s growing confidence in portraying its own history on screen.

As Malta continues to refine its position in the global filmmaking landscape, the question remains whether the island can balance its international appeal with sustained investment in local creative voices. The answer may well determine whether Malta’s cinematic golden age extends beyond temporary production booms into lasting cultural prosperity.