Gozo courses planned for training and employment in the film industry

by Gozo News · February 1, 2015

During a consultation meeting held this weekend on the film industry in Gozo, the Minister for Tourism Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis said that this industry has great potential for Malta and Gozo. “Apart from the impact that it has on both the economy and employment, the film industry plays an important role in terms of advertising the islands as a tourism destination.”

The objective of this consultation session was for the participants to acquire knowledge on the film industry and find out about any training and working opportunities within the industry.

Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis said that as part of its strategy, the Malta Film Commission has introduced new incentives, to bring film makers to the islands, and conducted an extensive campaign of marketing around the world.

This has already started to bear fruit, the Tourism Minister said, with Gozo last year hosting the largest film production ever on this island, with the film ‘By the Sea,’ with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis added that these types of productions, “are creating new challenges for our country, which as yet does not have available the necessary trained human resources That is why an effort is being made to encourage more people to specialise in this industry.”

For this purpose there are currently courses available in the film industry, with courses also planned in Gozo, to enable participants to acquire the skills necessary to start working in the film industry, concluded Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Gozo Dr. Anton Refalo reiterated that, “the Government is committed to generate more work in the film industry in Gozo. This industry is a good advertisement for our country, as people get to know locations watching scenes from the movies, so called screen tourism.”

He added that “according to statistics from the Malta Tourism Authority, 3.5% of the tourists who visit the islands, do so because of locations that they have seen in a film.”

“The film industry has a multiplier effect, apart from wages paid to the film crew and other services directly related to the film industry, there is also large amounts of money spent on hotel accommodation, food, transport, various services and entertainment,” Dr Refalo said.

“The Film Commission is introducing a marketing campaign designed to promote Gozo worldwide as a film location. This industry needs people to build film sets, take care of the props, people in the administration, logistic coordinators, transport coordinators, producers, directors and camera persons.”