‘Most generous cash rebate in the world’: government scheme to bait big films

Malta has dramatically increased the amount of money handed out to foreign film companies in a bid to attract more blockbusters to the island but industry insiders say it may be a gamble doomed to backfire.
The new payment system, introduced quietly in the lead-up to the last election, will see large-scale film and TV productions go from receiving up to a €200,000 cash injection to cover the cost of on-screen talent to a new maximum of €5 million.

The payment caps for behind-the-lens employees have also been rejigged.
These are over and above tax rebates which productions can apply for.
Film Commissioner Johann Grech and government sources have defended the move saying it will generate millions of euros in economic activity.
Meanwhile, local industry players have questioned whether the government is simply throwing money at large production companies to bring big-name films to the island for little more than “personal vanity”.
The matter was raised by the executive producer of a new Napoleon bio-pic which was partially shot in Malta earlier this year. 
In a recent interview with industry publication Deadline, Aidan Elliot, who works with director Ridley Scott, described Malta’s...