Malta has officially become a member of Eurimages, the Council of Europe's film support fund.

This marks an important step for our country's domestic audiovisual sector and its integration into the European cultural landscape, a government spokesperson said.

The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, described this as an important strategic step for Malta's audiovisual industry and stated: "Malta's membership in Eurimages reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening the cultural and creative sectors through transparent, merit-based structures. This step opens up new opportunities for local film producers to collaborate at an international level and to compete on a European level."

The membership followed a comprehensive evaluation process, led and coordinated by Arts Council Malta. As part of this process, a Maltese delegation travelled to Strasbourg to formally present and defend Malta's accession report before Eurimages representatives.

Arts Council Malta Executive Chairman Luke Dalli stated that "Malta's accession to Eurimages is a historic and important step for our domestic film industry. It marks the moment when Maltese film producers move decisively onto the European co-production stage, with access to networks, partners and funding that can transform their ambition and potential into tangible realities. This is not only a recognition of the quality and maturity of our local producers, but also a strategic opening for Maltese stories to be developed, financed and shared internationally. It is a step forward that defines Maltese cinema."

Eurimages is the cultural support fund of the Council of Europe. Active since 1989, it includes 38 of 46 member states of the organisation based in Strasbourg, together with Canada. The fund has a total annual budget of approximately €27.5 million, derived mainly from contributions by member states as well as returns on loans granted by the Fund.

Malta's accession to Eurimages will enable local producers to access one of Europe's most significant film co-production financing mechanisms, thereby further strengthening the sustainability and international reach of Malta's audiovisual sector, a government spokesperson said.