On March 24th the Maltese government announced it was creating specific aid packages for the island’s most affected sectors in order to combat the coronavirus crisis. But it didn’t mention either film or television. The Malta Producers Association reminded the government that film production has stopped world-wide, and Malta is no exception. Since all foreign and local productions have been forced to stop, the crews and production companies are no longer being paid. So on March 26th the MPA sent a letter to the Minister of Tourism, which also looks after the film and television industry, and to the Prime Minister asking them to rectify their announcement.
The request was heard. On March 29th the association announced the government had agreed to include the audiovisual industries in the aid packages. The association declared it was “particularly satisfied that, thanks to this inclusion, hundreds of crews – technicians and artists from the film and television industry – who work so hard both behind and in front of the camera, bringing all kinds of audiovisual content and entertainment to the homes of so many people, are given a lifeline to help them get through this difficult and uncertain period.”
Sources :
Facebook page Malta Producers Association
https://www.filmneweurope.com
https://www.maltatoday.com.mt
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