The Malta Film Fund has been launched by the Ministry for Finance, the Economy and Investment, with calls for entries for the 2009 version now open.

Last year the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport administered the first such fund, with four local productions (three documentaries and one short film) being awarded production funds following the application and evaluation process.

For 2009, the fund will once again constitute e233,000 for the development of films and documentaries and the production of short films and documentaries.

The 2009 fund is administered by a working group made of the Audiovisual and Culture Unit of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the Malta Film Commission. More details can be found on www.maltafilmfund.gov.mt

The deadline for applications is 1 March. An information seminar regarding the fund application process will be announced in early December.

The aim of the fund is to encourage the professional development of local productions in order for their feasible realisation, as well as to assist with the financing of suitably developed short films or documentaries. An independent evaluation board, including foreign experts, is nominated to assess and award applicants accordingly. Results for the 2009 fund will be announced at the end of April 2010.