Arts Minister Owen Bonnici has stated that two public relations (PR) agencies were paid over €90,000 in total to carry out a PR campaign for this year's Mediterrane Film Festival and come up with the invite list for the lavish event, among other related tasks.

On Monday afternoon, Minister Bonnici responded to a parliamentary question asked by PN MP Julie Zahra. Zahra, who is the Opposition's spokesperson for arts and culture, asked the Minister how much PR agencies from London and Los Angeles were paid to select who should be invited to attend the Malta Film Festival.

Minister Bonnici replied that the Margaret London marketing agency was paid a sum of £37,270, while "PR Dept," who are based in Los Angeles, California, USA, was paid €49,764.80. Converting the first sum of £37,270 to euros in today's exchange rate results in a sum worth €42,725.77.

"The Margaret London agency was paid £37,270, while the PR Dept., based in the United States, was paid €49,764.80. The two agencies, renowned in the film industry, were contracted for the Mediterranean Film Festival to carry out an extensive communication and PR campaign, including the involvement of talent, media outreach and working with industry partners," Minister Bonnici said.

Earlier this summer, the Mediterrane Film Festival's price tag garnered heavy criticism once it became apparent that it had cost €5 million in taxpayer money. This €5 million expenditure led the Green Party - ADPD to call on the Auditor General to investigate the spending for this year's Film Festival.