A US/Italy co-production between Leader Film Company and Dolphin Entertainment (USA) has lead to six films being entirely filmed in Malta. The productions were managed locally by Winston Azzopardi and all productions benefited from the financial incentives offered by the Malta Film Commission (MFC). These films are now finally ready for screening for the Italian market and are to be broadcast on TV station Canale 5 over the next coming weeks. All films were shot in English for the US market and were later dubbed into Italian. The six films are Presagi (Visions of Murder), Omicidio Su Misura (Tailor-made Murder), Sotto Protezione (BodyGuard), Gemelle (Twins), Souvenir and Vite in Ostaggio (The Captives).

The first film Presagi directed by Lamberto Bava has already been aired on Canale 5 and was filmed in Kalkara, Villa Bologna, Birgu, Golden Bay, Barakka Gardens, Fort St. Elmo and Mistra. The Maltese cast includes well-known actors including Edward Mercieca, Mark Carboudin, Sarah Naudi, Matthew Scurfield and Xandru Grech.

The MFC believes that the success of attracting foreign productions to Malta, despite stiff competition from other film locations, is the result of working together with local film stakeholders at all levels, to ensure through various initiatives that productions do come and that Malta is a genuine film-friendly destination. In addition, it also makes financial sense to film in Malta as film productions benefit from substantial cash rebates on their eligible expenditure spent in Malta. Accordingly, catering for film productions is a driving economic force for the economy for any country, Malta included. A typical production involves a substantial cast and crew and can have a duration of a couple of days to a number of months, resulting in the creation of jobs and generating economic activity into the economy. Therefore, the MFC is progressively working towards marketing Malta as a unique and dynamic film location and is constantly in contact with production houses in a number of countries about potential projects that can be shot here.

For more information about the Malta Film Commission visit www.mfc.com.mt