“A total of Lm5 million will have been spent in the film industry this year, compared to Lm1 million spent last year,” Investments, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said yesterday.

The prospects for next year are looking good and, while there were around 130 shooting days this year, about 170 are expected next year, Dr Gatt said when he visited Villa Bologna Gardens where the CBBC, BBC’s channel for children, are shooting episodes of The Roman Mysteries.

Dr Gatt said that in the budget presented last week, the government made sure to introduce a number of tax incentives for people who want to invest in Malta, among other measures to strengthen the country’s film industry.

He said that the film industry is a fledgeling industry for Malta and that the aim is not only to attract film-makers, but also television producers.

BBC producer David Ball, who is in Malta with his television crew, said that ancient Rome works very well in Malta.

“Originally we came to Malta to use the tanks at the Mediterranean Film Studios, but we discovered more and more of Malta’s architecture and heritage that could be used as a backdrop for our scenes,” said Mr Ball.

The production team was so amazed by the different locations it found that it decided to extend its stay in Malta from three weeks to nine and “we might even stay longer”.

A total of 68 Maltese were employed to form part of the crew of The Roman Mysteries and 700 extras have already been used, said Mr Ball, adding that the production has a budget of Lm1 million for each episode – a ground-breaking amount from CBBC’s point of view.

“Being in Europe is a bonus, since we share a language as well as a set of regulations, but some areas in Malta and Gozo are absolutely stunning. It is our first time, but hopefully it will not be our last,” he said.

The production team is hoping to film other series of The Roman Mysteries, as well as other productions in Malta.

“This production has found its feet in Malta. The Malta Film Commission opened all the doors and gave us the opportunity to discover such beautiful places. Its role should not be underestimated,” said Mr Ball.