[WATCH] Italian star chose Malta for its ‘professionalism’

Italian heartthrob Raoul Bova, who is currently in Malta shooting the Italian TV series Come un delfino, has said he's very satisfied with the Maltese choice.

"We found ourselves pretty well here. The choice was not only down to the Maltese scenery which is perfect for the scenes we need to shoot, but also the professional people we are working with," Bova told MaltaToday.

Bova, who is also the co-owner of the San Marco Production Company, said that the help of the authorities and professionals have allowed the production's ideas to become reality.

"Having already worked with American productions, they know how to do their jobs well. Moreover, I think that such twinning between Italy and Malta has proved to be successful," Bova said.

Touring the set of the film at the Institute for Tourism Studies in St Julian's, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said that the series will generate in access of €1.5 million in the Maltese economy, also employing 40 full-time local crew.

The production is also benefitting of a 22% cash grant through the Film Commission and other incentives through the Malta Tourism Authority.

Over the past four years, Malta hosted 65 productions that included over 26 films or television series. These productions have generated over €100 million in the Maltese economy.

Come un delfino was first aired on Canale5. Its successful initial run led to a co-production with Sanmarco Film Company and RTI (Mediaset), and a further four episodes of the series were commissioned. 

The mini-series revolves around the character of Alessandro Dominici (Raoul Bova), a Sicilian swimmer who's had to ditch the sport after falling pray to heart disease. Instead, he turns to coaching a band of misfits.

The series will be broadcast on Canale 5.