Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said that a quip made by comedian David Walliams while he was presenting the Mediterrane Film Festival last week was “just a joke.”

A clip was widely shared online of Walliams, who was presenting once again at the ceremony of the festival, who joked that Malta had everything needed to shoot the next blockbuster movie, "especially if you sleep with Johann Grech.”

Referring to the Film Commissioner, Walliams added: “I did, and I highly recommend it.”

In Parliament on Monday, PN MP Julie Zahra asked Bonnici whether such remarks were an embarrassment to the local film industry, and whether the conduct of the Film Commissioner was casting a shadow over the sector’s credibility.

Bonnici brushed this off, saying that Zahra was referring to a joke by Walliams, who is a known comedian for this British wit and humour.

He continued that it was unfortunate that the Maltese Parliament was unlike the British one, where they often joke and laugh together.

Bonnici also answered a parliamentary question made by Zahra on support for local producers in the context of the recent film festival.

He pledged to reinvest an additional €800,000 into the local film industry to support Maltese producers who did not meet the pass mark in this year’s film funding scheme.

The €800,000 would come on top of the €2 million already distributed to local film producers this year.

Bonnici explained that while some applicants passed the evaluation criteria and were awarded funding, others did not meet the threshold and were left out despite the quality of their proposals.

“If we were to fund everyone who applied, the difference would be €800,000,” Bonnici said.

“I am making every effort to ensure these funds are reinvested in our local producers so that we get to a point where everyone who passes the evaluation criteria receives support,” Bonnici said.

Bonnici noted that just three years ago, financial assistance for local film productions stood at €700,000. Under a Nationalist administration, the allocation had been just €200,000, he said.

Since then, the government has steadily increased support for local productions, reaching €1 million last year and doubling to €2 million this year.

“This is a clear commitment to supporting local talent, not just attracting foreign productions,” the Minister said.

Bonnici also spoke of Malta’s growing role in the international film servicing industry. Since 2018, a total of 169 foreign productions have taken place in Malta, with many making use of local crews and services.

However, he acknowledged challenges in servicing these productions due to the industry's fast growth.

The annual Malta Film Week and the Mediterrane Film Festival, Bonnici said, aim to put Malta on the global filmmaking map and provide a platform for both international exposure and local productions.

“These events tell producers and filmmakers around the world that Malta is open for business, while also raising important questions about how we are supporting our own filmmakers,” he said.

Each year, the government commissions a report on the economic impact of the film industry.

“That data helps us make more informed decisions and serves as a better basis for public discussion,” Bonnici added.

Zahra also raised concerns about good governance, transparency and overspending in the Mediterrane Film Festival, calling for greater accountability in how public funds are being spent.

In response, Bonnici defended the festival and the broader film servicing industry, speaking of its significant contribution to Malta’s economy.

“In the last five years alone, the film servicing industry has generated around €1 billion in economic activity and created 15,000 jobs,” Bonnici said.

“According to the Auditor General’s report, nearly 18% of Malta’s recent economic growth, almost two in every ten euros, came from this sector,” Bonnici said.

He said that these figures are supported by the Auditor General, who said that they may even be conservative estimates.

While defending the festival and the industry’s success, Bonnici acknowledged the need for improved governance.

“This does not mean we don’t respect the rules of good governance,” he said. “I remain committed to strengthening areas where shortcomings have been identified, especially within the operations of the Film Commission,” Bonnici said.

The Minister admitted there was a need for more personnel to help lead the Malta Film Commission forward and to enhance its internal structures.

“We want the commission to grow, and with that growth we must also strengthen its governance,” Bonnici said.

He spoke of the praise Malta regularly receives from international producers who work on the island.

“Foreign producers constantly praise Johann Grech, our Maltese crews, and the local support they receive. The message is clear: Malta is a welcoming place with skilled workers,” he said.

“When they are asked why they choose Malta, their answer is always the same, ‘because you have good people.’ I thank them for their passion and commitment,” Bonnici said.