Maltese film producers have access to less funds than they had before despite the government announcing that the fund for the industry has increased, the Nationalist Party said in a statement on Friday.

PN MP Julie Zahra said that she was referring to the new budget for local films which was recently announced by the Arts Council Malta, and added that the PN is reiterating that “once again”, the government is “passing the time” with local producers who work and depend on the film industry.

She said the PN notes that “while the new budget is still not enough to cover the needs of the local producers, Maltese film producers will end up getting much less than they sued to get before”.

Zahra remarked that this continues to confirm how much the film industry is riddled with scandal after scandal, “so much so that the Nationalist Party requested an investigation by the Auditor General about this”. She continued that people involved in the industry who rub shoulders with the government “continue to pig out”, while the government “only found €1 million” for Maltese producers.

The MP said that the Opposition is reiterating that the government does not give any importance to the film industry and is only allowing people close to it to “pig out” and pose for their personal gain while trying to paint a “false picture” which does not show the reality of what Maltese producers and local industry workers face on a daily basis.

She concluded by saying that the PN is committed to strengthening this industry, as Maltese and Gozitan producers have great potential and track records, and that Malta itself has strong potential in the industry.

Zahra added that the PN is committed to continuing discussions and consultations with all stakeholders, “both established and emerging”, in order to support them and create tangible policies for those working in the industry.