The Malta Producers Association (MPA) today expressed its deep disappointment when it transpired that the Film & TV industry had been excluded from Annex A of the support measures for critically hit sectors.

During the Government’s latest financial aid measures announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela on the evening of the 24th March which was aimed at supporting the worst affected sectors, it was naturally understood that the Film & TV industry would be included as part of the Creative Arts and Entertainment category. However this turned out not to be the case. The MPA believes that this may have been an oversight due to the misleading classification of the Film and TV industry within the NACE categorization system.

Due to the covid-19 crisis there is no film & television production activity happening around the world and Malta is no exception. All foreign productions that were meant to shoot here have shut down, local production has halted and clearly the sector is amongst those most heavily hit. Hundreds of freelance crew, talent and film and TV production companies have been left in the lurch with zero income, the association said.

Thus, on behalf of all professionals working in these sectors, the MPA urges the Minister of Tourism and the Prime Minister to immediately intervene, recognise all Motion Picture, Video and Television production activities as sectors which were amongst those worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic and ensure that they are included in Annex A.