Home Affairs Minister visits film set of BBC production The Whale

Accompanied by Film Commissioner Peter Busuttil, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia visited the Mediterranean Film Studios, where the BBC production The Whale is presently filming.

The Minister met the crew and cast, as well as members of the production team. The Whale is the first production to benefit from increased financial incentives.

"The film industry needs to remain competitive and Rinella and Ricasoli should be designated to offering services to the film industry," Mallia said. Geographically Rinella and Ricasoli have always been associated with the film industry and the government plans to increase the facilities and services offered.

Mallia said training was a priority and talks were underway with relevant Ministries to create training programmes for full-time and part-time students.

This included the initiative currently being undertaken of providing training for skilled and unskilled workers in the film industry, as a result of the funds obtained by the Malta Film Commission from the European Social Funds.

The training will commence later this year.