Financial Incentives
Malta Cash Rebates
The Government of Malta has recently upgraded the cash rebates for filmmakers making the financial guidelines more attractive to the film industry. Productions which satisfy a cultural test can benefit from a rebate up to 40% of eligible expenditure. Qualifying productions are required to present a provisional application to the Malta Film Commission, including a detailed projection of the Malta budget for the production. The rebate is given once filming is complete and on receipt of the audit report and upon final review by the Commissioner, the cash rebate is forwarded to the qualifying production no later than five months from the date of receipt of the presented production expenditure in Malta. Feature film, Television film or Television Series or Mini-Series, Animation, Creative documentary, Transmedia and Cross-media productions are all eligible for the incentives, provided that they are all or partially produced in Malta. Qualifying expenditure incurred during production in Malta on EU services is eligible for a cash rebate, including the following items: EU below-the-line labour, accommodation, transportation equipment and hire, location fees, catering services, per diems, leasing of offices, computer equipment, props, property, animals, equipment, vehicles, and boats. Other qualifying expenditure includes wardrobe rentals, courtesy payments, telecommunications, craft service, laundry and cleaning services and professional services.
Download guidelines for a full list of qualifying expenditure:
Creative Malta Fund
Creative Malta provides financial support to fiction, animation and creative documentary projects.
It aims to facilitate the creation of eligible projects, intended for theatrical release, festivals and broadcast (including VOD/SVOD platforms), that are considered to make a valid contribution to the expression of creativity and culture, strengthen aspects of the economy with the supply of cultural products, contribute towards the development of skills in the audiovisual sector and are produced according to international standards.
The Malta Film Commission under the auspices of the Ministry for Tourism is responsible for the management and administration of Creative Malta support schemes.
Such schemes include scriptwriting, development, production and promotion of audiovisual works in accordance with the provisions of the regulations related to Creative Malta.
Creative Malta schemes operate on the basis of an Open Call system. Therefore, applicants can submit project applications continuously after the Open Call is launched as long as funds are available. Furthermore, financial aid provided under the Creative Malta Support Schemes is considered non-recoupable.
Co-Production Treaties
Malta has been a member of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production since September 2001. The aim of this Convention is to promote the development of European multilateral cinematographic co-production to safeguard creation and freedom of expression and defend the cultural diversity of the various European countries.
The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production Application Form (to request this form, please email [email protected]) Malta has also signed a bilateral co-production treaty with Canada. Qualifying as a Maltese film under this treaty provides a number of advantages: productions are eligible to apply for funding and will benefit from the cash rebate.
Audiovisual Treaty: Malta & Canada
Audiovisual Treaty: Malta & China
The Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production 2017