A new initiative titled Local to Global has been officially launched to support Maltese film makers through a series of free high-level workshops aimed at strengthening their skills and preparing them to compete internationally in the film industry.
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici unveiled the programme, describing it as a vital step in empowering local creatives. "Today's launch is not just any initiative but is about how we are giving local film makers the tools and confidence needed to compete on a global level," he stated. "This launch is built on the fact that talent t already exists here in our country and now we are creating the structures for this talent to flourish further."
The initiative, which will run under the leadership of the Department for Film Development and Strategy within Arts Council Malta, is part of a broader vision to develop a resilient and export-oriented indigenous audiovisual industry. It aligns with the Council's strategic commitment to strengthening Malta's cultural and creative sectors through education, business intelligence and international collaboration.
Albert Marshall, Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, highlighted the long-term potential of the workshops, calling the programme "a stepping stone towards long-term partnerships and access to new markets." He added that Local to Global is more than just a training scheme-it is an opportunity to build sustainable careers and global networks for local professionals.
The training will be delivered across three workshop sessions held over nine days and will cover six key areas critical to success in the film industry: development, financing, production, distribution, marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Each workshop will be led by Dr Angus Finney, a leading international expert in film business and executive production. Dr Finney has held notable roles with the British Film Institute and the University of Cambridge and brings a wealth of global experience to the programme.
The schedule for the workshops is as follows:
Session 1: Development - 14, 15, 16 May
Session 2: Financing and Production - 27, 28, 29 May
Session 3: Distribution, Marketing and AI - 22, 25, 27 June
Local to Global forms part of the Arts Council Malta's broader mission to create more opportunities for creatives to thrive in a competitive and fast-evolving global film landscape. The Council believes this initiative will not only provide local professionals with practical knowledge but will also help position Malta as a serious player in the international film arena.
Applications and participation details are expected to be available through Arts Council Malta's official channels. Interested creatives are encouraged to follow updates and secure their place early due to expected high demand.