Film Production in Malta

Malta is a beautiful island that is known to attract big budget film makers. Over 50 filmmakers have used Malta as a backdrop for their movies. Malta became a film-makers dream in 1964 when the Mediterranean Film Studios opened and its water tanks became commercial property. The water tanks had previously been owned by the government and were restricted. The shallow and deep water tanks available in Malta provide a unique situation for filmmakers to use in their movies.

Along with filmmakers; TV series, commercials and advertisers have also used the water tanks in Malta during filming. The area of Malta is both historic and scenic. Malta has open seas and a picturesque shoreline. It is 58 miles south of Sicily and has a population of 385,000. It is the unique combination of architectural history and sunny shorelines that create the 'Hollywood of the Mediterranean' as some people now refer to Malta as.

New Multi-Million Budget Movie to be Filmed in Malta

A new multi-million budget film is being made in Malta. The new film will be based on ancient Egypt and is expected to draw a lot of attention. It comes as no surprise that the director has chosen Malta as the backdrop for this movie. It is not the first big budget film made in the Mediterranean and likely won't be the last. Production of the new movie is expected to begin in early 2008.

Why Malta is Ideal for Filmmaking

It is inexpensive to produce a movie in Malta.
It takes less than a half an hour to drive to different locations within Malta.
Direct flights are available from most European countries, making travel to and from the set easier.
Malta is a culture based on 6,000 years of civilization.
The shallow and deep water tanks allow filmmakers to create water scenes in a controlled fashion.
Malta is often used in filmmaking because of the historic nature that the island is able to add to the setting.
The nature of Malta also lends itself to the needs of certain flashback scenes.
The climate of Malta is ideal because it is sunny and warm year-round.
Since the entire movie does not need to be filmed in Malta, many filmmakers have chosen to use Malta to only film parts within a movie.

Popeye Village Still Stands in Malta

The film making industry has made a big impact on Malta and her residents. The Maltese now depend on tourism to a certain extent and they are known for their connection with blockbuster movies. One popular Malta attraction is Popeye Village. Popeye Village is the expansive set left in tact from the filming of the movie, Popeye that began in 1980. Today the set attracts families with rides, shows, tours and museums. Popeye Village is a tourist attraction that reminds us of the impact the film industry has on Malta.

Other films made in Malta include:
Midnight Express (1978)
Cutthroat Island (1995)
Gladiator (2000)
Troy (2004)
Munich (2006)
The da Vinci Code (2006)
A Different Loyalty (2004)
Alexander (2004)
League the of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
The Counts of Monte Christo (2002)
Pinocchio (2002)
Swept Away (2002)
U-571 (2000)
White Squall (1996)
Popeye (1980)
Orca: Killer Whale (1976)